Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-19
UNFOLDING a Principle.


Under the leadership of President
Hoover the Nation is rising to meet the
drought and unemployment situation.
A special committee, including fore
most men and women of the coun-
try, has been appointed by the Chief
Executive to head the drive for $l0,-
100000, the sum deemed necessary to
grant relief to those unable to obtain
the necessaries of life. Former Pres
ident Calvin Coolidge has been named
honorary chairman. with John Barton
Payne, head Of the American Red
Cross, as chairman. Alfred E. Smith,
former Governor of New York; John w.
Davis OF New York, Gen. John j.
Pershing, and Gen. Abel Davis of Chi
cago are the vice chairmen of this
committee.
In the face of persistent demands
from the Senate coalition for an appro-
priation of $25,000,000 out of the Fed
eral Treasury, the call for contribu-
tions to the $IoooO,OOO has brought
slim results to date. The attitude of
the people has. been one of hesitancy.
Why contribute to the relief fund If
Uncle Sam finally is to take the money
raised in taxes and buy food and cloth
ing for the sufferers? The appoint
ment of the special committee by the
President to head the Red Cross drive
puts a different aspect upon the situa-
ton. It is clear that the Chief Exec
utive does not intend to yield the prin-
ciple for which he has contended-the
relief Of suffering by the people Of the
Nation through voluntary contribution.
The Presidents letter inviting member
ship in the special committee calls at
tention to "a national emergency" and
urges that 1.-The American way of meeting
such q relief problem has been through
Q voluntary effort, and for many years
this effort has been concentrated in
the American Red Gross, created by
the people themselves to act in Just
such emergencies"
"It 10 essential" said the President
shat we should maintain the sound
American tradition and a spirit Of vol
untaxy aid in such emergency and
should not undermine the spirit which
has made our Red Cross the outstand-
ing guardian Of our people IN time Of
disaster"
TO do otherwise would, indeed, be to
crush the spirit which for so many
years has made the Red Cross q glory
Of the American people. It would take
from the American citizen q feeling OF
personal responsibility TO meet emer-
gencies, to help relieve suffering. A
dole from the Federal Government would
be precedent that would rise In the
end TO make mock Of efforts to raise
funds for worthy purposes through
voluntary contribution. What has
caused q paralysis Of the giving nerve
Of the American people since the cal
for the $10,000,0O0 went forth q few
days ago? The prospect Of action by
the Federal Government. nothing else.
How easy. should the Federal Treasury
now pour out the funds for relief, tc
call upon the same agency in the fu-
ture for relief in all kinds Of emergen-
ciesI How easy to. sound the death
knell Of the American Red Cross Itself
and the great spirit Of giving in the
American people!
The special committee has been ap-
pointed 1t will go forward with Its
appointed task. Its members have al
ready accepted the call TO service. The
country will rally behind it. 1t Is the
better course.