The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1931-02-20

oCIluIlCldIIOH Vi MS neglect
wholesale starvation among
south, Pres. Hoover took
refuge on Feb. 3 behind his
agent, John Barton Payne of the
American Red Cross. He issued
letter which he had secured from
Payne, asserting that relief is now
being given, and that sufficient
funds are in hand or in prospect,
from private donations. On the
basis of this letter, Hoover issued
a long declaration against federal
relief, and protested that both the
drouth victims and the unemplOy
ed will be looked after without TAX
ing a penny from the federal trea-
ury.
Paype's Letter
Payne's letter, answering an in
quiry from Hoover, stated:
"Relief is being given to the
drOuth sufferers turnout the
drOuth areas by our local chap
tiers and branches. These are
manned by the most public spir-
tied and helpful people in the
different counties and states;
theneighbOrs and friends Of the
drOuth stricken who know them
personally, are sympathetic with
them, determine their needs and
give them an order on the local
store for their requirements. .
"FrOm the beginning we have
not withheld support from a sin
gle drOuth sufferer from want of
funds. Sufficient funds for cur
rent needs have always been on
hand and relief where necessary
has been given. We are
confident of our ability to raise
sufficient funds to continue ade-
quately to meet the needs"
Ignores Reports of Starvation
Payne ignores the thousands of
letters received in Washington re-
citing the actual starvation in Ar
kansas and Kentucky, the utter in
sufficiency of funds administered
by his organization, the Associated
Press estimate of 10 cents a day
as the amount allowed in the av-
erage case for food, or the esti-
mate of AZ to so cents a week
quoted by Sen. Caraway. Nor does
he hint at the fact that a few days
after he had told a senate com
mittee that his $4,500,000 funC
would handle the entire emergen.
cy, he appealed for an additiona.
ten million dollars.
Defends Rich Tax Payers
Hoover defends the rich taxpay-
ers by re-stating his conviction
that if we break down this sense
of responsibility of individual gen
erosity to individual and mutua
self help" which is private chart
ty, and vote public funds for relie-
of victims of a great national cal
amity, 1--WE have not only impaired
something infinitely valuable il
the life of the American peopl,
but have struck at the roots o.
self government. Once this ha.
happened it is not the cost of /;
few score millions but we are fac
ed with the abyss of reliance il
the future upon government char
ity in some form or other" H
calls private charity "the Ameri
can way" and asserts that eth
country is successfully meeting it
problem in the American way to
day."
Charity Adequate and Efficient
Not only the drouth victims bu
the unemployed in the industria
districts are being successful
dealt with, Hoover declares. H
says that "In every town an
county voluntary relief agencie
have been strengthened and Great
ed and generous funds have bee
placed at their disposal. They al
carrying on their work efficient
and sympathetically."
But if Charity Fails"
However, the president is ne
quite convinced by his own state
ments, for he adds that eff II
time should ever come" that pr
vate charity and local and stat
governments are unable to cor
with hunger and suffering Gin m
country" he will ask for feder;
aid.
Forced Red Cross Refusal of Al
Senators from the drouth stat,
were amazed at the assertions
Payne and Hoover that the RI
Cross is feeding the hungry al
has adequate funds in sight. Sc
Caraway, who had challenged N
Hoover to disclose the drama b
hind the Red Cross councils refu
al to handle federal funds, prepa
ed to renew his demand for Il
facts. The report going the roun
of the capital was that Hoov
not only forced that resoluti,
thru the council, against a host
minority vote, but that he a
nounced the decision some hou
before the vote was takenl
short, it was indicated that Hoov
had forced the Red Cross to +
fuse to perform its normal duty
distributing enough food to Ike,
men and women and children ally
and had then gotten from Chai
man Payne thi sletter denying tn
the hugry have been neglected.