Evening star., 1936-03-19

(COnC1nOeQ from F1rSL fASe.J
experts from their respective depart
ments.
After talking with the Flood Com
mittee, Mr.. Roosevelt gave a personal
explanation Of the situation to White
House news men, emphasizing the i'm
portance of financial assistance to the
Red Cross.
Aid Now Co-ordinated.
He said all Government depart
ments now are completely co-ordinated
in the food relief efforts. He divided
the emergency program into four
parts:
First, the division of relief. He
said 1t was absolutely essential that
money be contributed to the Red
Cross, which Is providing clothing,
food, lodging, furniture. stoves and
medicine and also cooperating with
municipalities in repairing private
houses.
Mr.. Roosevelt related that yesterday.
when erroneous reports were circulated
that the Quemahoning Dam at Johns
town, Pa, had broken, the Army
picked up a radio message from c.
C. C. boy who said he was sitting on
top of the dam and that it had not
gone out.
Labor Also Provided.
The c. C. C. likewise was described
as providing labor for rescue and pa
troll work pending the arrival of the
militia and clearing away debris.
The third agency, said the presi-
dent, comprises the relief workers
under Harry L. Hopkins. w. P. A. ad-
ministrator. They now are being used
everywhere, building dykes and clean
ing I'D. As soon as the waters go
down, Mr.. Roosevelt said the w. p. A.
workers would be employed In restor-
ing water supplies, restoring flooded
sewers, putting power and telephone
lines in commission and making high
ways passable.
The fourth diviSion-reScue work
is under charge of the Army. MIR.
Roosevelt explained The Public
Health Service and the Coast Guard
are cooperating to provide medical
supplies.
The Presidents proclamation said:
ITO the people of the United States:
Flood waters raging throughout IL
States have driven zoe, 900 people from
their homes, with every indication
that this number may be materially
increased within the next "a hours.
In this grave emergency the homeless
are turning to our great national relief
agency, the American Red Cross. for
food, clothing, shelter and medical
| care.
ITO enable the, Red Cross to meet
this immediate obligation and to con-
tinue to carry the burden Of caring
for these unfortunate men, women and
children until their homes are re-
stored and they can return to normal
living conditions, 1t is necessary that
a minimum relief fund Of $4,000, 900
be raised as promptly as possible.
"As President of the United States
ana rs pIeSlQeII Oh LIlc SlIcE1CdA bcu
Cross, am. therefore. urging our peo-
pie to contribute promptly and most
generously, 50 that sufficient funds
may be available for the relief of
these thousands of your homeless fel-
low citizens. I am confident that in
the fact of this great need your re-
Spouse will be as immediate and as
generous as has always been the case
when the Red Cross has acted as your
agent "a the relief of human suffer-
ing"
Headed by Admiral Grayson, Red
Cross officials worked all night direct
ing one of the largest relief forces sent
into the field in Red Cross history.
Grayson issued q statement at mid
night, saying:
Floods are raging through at least
IL States, bringing loss and suffering
to countless families. To meet minimum
basic needs Of these families, the Red
Cross is appealing to the Nation for a
$1,000, 900 disaster relief fund" =.