Evening star., 1936-07-26
DEATHS IN HEAT.
INCREASE 65 PCT.
Census Bureau Figures
Show Damage to Crops
Will Be Less.
Py tire Associated Press.

Reports that intense heat hao
caused IS per cent increase IN the
number of deaths in principal cltles
conceded today with estimates tnat
drought damage to crops would be less
than previously forecast.
Deaths in SO large cities during the
week ended July 18, the Census Bu-
reau said, totaled l2,183, compared
with 7.439 in the corresponding week
a year ago. officials attributed the
increase to high temperatures.
THE week in 1885 was normal with
respect to temperature the bureau
said, "and from the standpoint OF
mortality the 1886 heat wave was
much more severe than the 1884
wave"
simultaneously. Jesse w. Tapp,
chairman of the Inter-departmental
Drought Relief Committee, estimated
lower drought damage to certain crops
than had been indicated by previous
surveys. He has just returned from
Kansas City, where he conferred with
Secretary Wallace on governmental
drought relief activities.
Telling on Corn Crop.
"The drought is beginning to tell
on corn crop prospects in Nebraska
and Kansas, and the plant Is tasseling
short in other important regions"
Tapp said, but forage feed units as
related to live stock numbers appears
still to be very favorable.
Pastures in such States as Tennes-
see, where rain fell recently, have
greened up and renewed the farmers
hopes for carrying his stock. We have
received requests from those regions
for assistance in providing local feed
ers with thin range cattle for fatten-
ing"
Amplifying its report, the Census
Bureau said the heat deaths were con-
centrated in somewhat different geo.
graphical area than in 1884. In that
year deaths occurred largely in Gin
cinnati. Kansas City, Indianapolis, st.
Louis, Omaha and other cities In the
southern part of the Middle West.
Although these same cities showed
sharp increases in mortality this year,
the bureau reported even greater in
creases for such Northern .diddle West
cities as Minneapolis, Detroit, Milwau-
kee and Duluth.
The Western Great Lakes region.
involving Minnesota, Michigan and
Wisconsin were dealt a heavy loss In
the recent emergency. with an in
crease of 238 per cent in mortality
compared with the corresponding
week in 1885," officials said.
Largest Death Toll.
The 13 cities showing the largest
increase in the death toll were:
Chicago, 1918 deaths during the
week ending July 1s compared with
1893 for the week ending July %,
1884.
Cleveland, 387 compared with 1875;
Indianapolis, 243-174 st. Louis, SGT
-546; Detroit, 673-229; Duluth, So
IA; Flint, 52-32; Grand Rapids, TT
IS; Milwaukee, 26s-1O0: Minneapolis,
377-110; st. Paul, 248-74; Louis
vile, 159-Sl; Fort Worth, 5l-34.
The 1913 deaths in the week ended
July 18 this year compared with 1881
in the same So cities during the week
of the most intense heat in 1884.
Government drought relief units
looked to next week as a deciding
period for many Of their activities.
Rexford G. Tugwell, Resettlement
Administrator, was scheduled to re-
turn to Washington over the week end
for a series of conferences with the
directors of various relief agencies.
He has made two-weeks' survey of
possible long-range rehabilitation prof.
ects for the Northwest drought Sec
tions.
The Presidents Great Plains
Drought Area Planning Committee, of
which Tugwell is member, called con-
ferences for tomorrow or Tuesday to
discuss progress made on reports which
Mr.. Roosevelt requested be submitted
to him when he visits the Northwest
territory late In August.
To Talk to President.
Harry L. Hopkins, works progress
administrator, who also has been on a
personal inspection tour Of the drought
States, was slated to confer with the
President at Campobello Island, New
Brunswick, on Tuesday. Indications
are he will discuss with the Chief Ex-
ecutive probable needs for increased
ALLEGATIONS of funds for emergency w.
p A. employment.
Secretary Wallace was due to return
to Washington July % from an ex-
tended trip through the grain belt and
parts of the parched plains region.
1t is probable, Tapp said, that the
Secretary will define the scope of
the proposed Government cattle pur-
chase program within the next 10 days
If drought damage to grain crops is
sufficiently indicated by that time.
RAIN CHECKS DROUGHT.