Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-23
of Drought Relief
Widely Discussed by Press

While efforts to provide food for those
who are in nesd, as result Of condi-
tons following the drought, continue to
be made, a great national debate de-
velops over the question of Federal
appropriations or reliance upon the Red
Cross as a mans of applying contribu-
tons. The unprecedented emergency is
declared by some to warrant Govern
ment aid, while others believe that
private contributions are needed to
maintain the effictency Of the Red
Cross.
Theoretically the Nation is opposed
to the dole. without doubt, loans that
share the nature of the dole should be
made only as the last resort" says the
Asbury Park Press, but when hundreds
Of starving people in the richest Nation
of the world clamor for food 1t appears
time that the last resort were adopted"
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat COM
ments: 1T may be battling problem
for well-meaning Government, snarled
up, as governments usually are, in
precedent, red tape and politics. But
it is still more battling to the thousands
who have no food for themselves or
their helpless animals"
1T may be fairly questioned" thinks
the Rock Island Argus. whether the
Government should exercise such pater-
nal care. Maybe Grover Cleveland was
right when he affirmed that such a
practice 'weakens the sturdiness of our
national character He meant, Of
course, that relief should be a matter
for private individuals and societies, not
a governmental function. But If the
Of fa
preparations, the grant of money should
not be held up for weeks on account Of
wrangling."
Although Mr.. Hoover refrains from
saying it," according to the Chicago
Daily News, "the alternative to relief
by the Red Cross and similar agencies,
State and local, is relief by the Federal
Government through so-called food
loans. That would require increased
taxation. In Congress appropriations
for such loans are not sufficiently pop
ular to threaten the enactment of legis-
lation in oppo@.tion to the administra-
tons expressed wishes. But were pri-
vate generosity to fail in the crisis the
demand for Federal aid would become
irresistible
Paying a tribute to the efficiency of
the Red Gross, which already has its
local agencies established and function
ing in the distressed areas" the New
orleans Times-Picayune points out that
the 'foodloan' Senator'S estimate of
the drought relief need in effect stands
acknowledged and confirmed" The
Raleigh News and Observer advises that
certainly if any deviation from the
strictest States rights doctrine was ever
justified. feeding the starving in this
depression is the exception" That pa
per also declares: IF the Federal Gov
eminent is to send money to feed Starv-
ing Russians, to build roads, aid educa-
ton and health and do other things not
contemplated by it when Washington
was elected, shall the strictest construc-
ton be invoked to prevent feeding starv-
ing people whose situation was brought
about in half the area of the Republic
by a disaster for which they were not
responsible?"
IF IT is logical to lend a farmer
money to feed his horses, cows and
chickens. and to buy seed, fertilizer and
plows. in order that he may make a
crop" in the opinion of the Fort Worth
Star Telegram, sit is just as logical to