Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-13
Democratic Effort to Open
Food Debate Defeated in
House, 215 to 143.
PRESIDENT ASKS PEOPLE
TO AID RED CROSS FUND
Says Emergency Exists and Many
Who Lack Necessities Must
Be Helped. y
By the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
The much-delayed drought loan ap-
preparation bill reached the conference
stage in Congress today a while after
President Hoover appealed to the people
for $4,000, 900 Red Cross relief fund.
Democratic efforts to open the ques-
ton of food loans to farmers to general
discussion and vote in the House were
defeated by els to 143. This issue has
delayed the $6OO0o,oOO measure for
more than a week
The next step was committing the
bill to conference on the Senate's
amendment, which would provide $751;
100000 with which farmers of the
drought area would be authorized to
purchase food for themselves and their
families. Both Republicans and Demo-
Gratis joined finally on a vote to dis
agree to that amendment. Differences
between the Senate and House measures
now will be reconciled.
Hoover Asks Contributions.
The President issued a proclamation
appealing to the American public to
contribute to the fund that is being
raised by the American Red Cross to
make it possible for it to bear the
burden it must carry this Winter in
extending relief in the drought-Stricken
areas.
The President said that real emer-
gency does exist and that there are
many persons who are now lacking the
bare necessities of life who must be
given substantial help, and to do this
the present resources of the Red Cross
are insufficient. He stated that the
minimum amount needed has been
placed at $10,000,000 and that he sim
cerely hopes that the American people
will contribute promptly and generously
in order that the suffering of thousands
of their fellow countrymen may be pre-
vented.
Mr.. Hoover, in making public his
proclamation today, explained that the
drought problem Is closely associated
with the general depression problem,
especially in its effect upon people in
villages and small communities. He
pointed out that the burden undertaken
by the Red Cross in the drought area
and smaller communities, over 81
States during this Winter, has made
1t necessary to very materially increase
the resources of the Red Cross.
Text of Proclamation.
The Presidents proclamation follows:
ITO my fellow countrymen:
There must be very material in
crease in the resources of the Amer
lean Red Cross to enable it to bear the
burden which it has undertaken in the
drought area and smaller communities
over 81 States during this Winter.
Within the last 10 days the Red Cross
IoI "a sv1n laa 70 of
penditureS to an amount greater than
during the entire preceding four
months.
THE American Red Cross is the
Nations sole agency for relief in such
| a crisis; it is meeting the demand and
must continue to do so during the re-
mainder of the Winter.
THE disaster reserve of the Red
Cross is not sufficient to meet the in
creased demand. 1t is imperative il
| the view of the experienced directors
of the Red Cross that a minimum of
at least $10,00O,0o0 be contributed to
| carry the relief program to completion.
THE familiarity of this situation, due
! to much press reports of its progress,
should not blind us to the fact that
| 1t is an acute emergency nor dull our
| active sympathieS toward our fellow
countrymen who are in actual want and
in many cases they lack the bare ne
| cessities of life unless they are pro-
| vided for
"As President of the United States
and as president of the American Red
Cross, I, therefore, appeal to our peo-
pie to contribute promptly and most
| generously in order that the suffering
Of thousands of our fellow countrymen
| may be prevented. I am doing so with
supreme confidence that in the face of
| this great humanitarian need your re-
| spouse will be immediate.
Signed: HERBERT HOOVER"
d. C. Quota Is 100000.
| The District of Columbia Chapter of
| the American Red Cross will begin at
the 100000 which is its quota in the
| CONTINUED on Page 2, Column A.