Evening star., 1932-01-31
FARM ANIMALS Z
FACE STARVATION
Red Tape Blocks Relief Meas
ureS in Nebraska and
South Dakota.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
OMAHA, Nebr., January 30-Stark
starvation confronts a quarter of a.
million farm animals in the extensive
drouth and grasshopper plagued areas
Of Nebraska and South Dakota.
With human needs cared for by Red
Cross and local effort, until now there
has been no provision for the huge
animal populace-the COWS, chickens.
pigs and horses, mainstay of a farming
section normally rich in its productive
ness.
Red tape, entangling tine activities
OF Federal relief agencies, has prevented
help from the funds which year ago
went to feed the mules and BARNARD
populace Of Arkansas, Oklahoma and
Southern Missouri. Bitter cold of Win
ter has settled down and with fodder
gone, reports are trickling in here Of
beasts being shot to prevent starva-
| ton.
Organize Relief Drive.
Aroused, the cities of this territory
are organizing a relief drive to save
animals. Gov. Charles w. Byran of
Nebraska was the first to rally the
people here to meet the needs of the
situation. He set up a Statewide
relief program that was given instant
assistance by all of the American
Legion posts.
From small and big towns In every
county where crops were at least fair
and business this side of bankruptcy,
there has begun a flow of carloads Of
hay and grain, together with food and
clothing for men and women and chill
dren of the stricken area. Just a year
ago this same district, now being
halrnI dc Of
animal feed to the drouth areas of
the South.
Omaha has organized to come to the
assistance of the affected districts with
cash. It's action follows a relief pro-
gram set up at Norfolk, thriving little
railroad community. Here the city is
pledged to raise a minimum OF $50
900 in cash. The grain exchange and
the live stock market are adding feed.
A Statewide holiday is being pro-
jected, when every NebraSkan will be
asked to give at least so cents to help.
The district in which most suffering
is felt. is in Northeast Nebraska, where
the lovely Niobrara River winds its way
to the Missouri, and in South Central
South Dakota, through the Rosebud
territory, where the largest of Indian
reservations is located, and where Sit
ting Bulls warriors put up their fight
against Tie GlCTOdCIlneuLS VI LLlC
whites on the last frontier.
Plagued With GrasshOppers.
This region was plagued with grass
hOppers during the Summer of 1881.
Vast swarms of the insects settled
down, devouring the corn, wheat and
oat crops What remained then was
destroyed by a drought that was more
intense than any known in the North
west in recent wears
Tens Of thousands head of live
stock and all other farm animals and
fowl naturally were affected. Much of
it was shipped to market, but live
stock and dairying forms the back
bone Of agriculture in this section and
farmers had to maintain their herds.
Now they have been caught without
food, in the bitterness of Winter, with
snow heavy and temperatures around
zero. Great numbers of animals al
ready have perished, and others have
been shot, but with activities now under
way, the unaffected districts plan to
meet the problem and carry the an
imals until April, when pastures can
grow again.
Congressman are seeking the help of
the Federal Government, but up to the
present the Federal machinery has
moved at a snail's pace, while the stock
needs food quickly to save its life.
(Copyright, 1922