The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-12-21
The Cherry Tree
Where We Hdtchet Out
The Truth
. FINNISH RELIEF
. HOOVER TO THE FRONT
Q NO REAL NEED
. RED CROSS STATES

All of a sudden, enthusiasm for
Finnish relief sweeps the nation.
Herbert Hoover is right out in front
of the movement, basking in the spot
light with every appearance Of en-
joyment.
Not that Mr.. Hoover is insincere
in the matter. His heart is in the
work But he can hardly be human
and fail to sense that it is excellent
publicity for him and any political
ambitions he may still harbor. If he
doesn't fully appreciate this, his
hackers and admirers do and will make
the most of the chance to feature Mr..
Hoover as the "great humanitarian"
reputation which he won by his Bel
gian relief work during the First
World War.
Finnish relief is all to the good.
American sympathy and support of
the brave little nation under Com
munist attack is deep and real. But
there is evidence that Americas
emotions have run away with its
Judgment on the Finnish relief stu
alton.
X X X
American Red Cross, which has had
more experience than any other Or
ganization in handling relief problems
Of all kinds, says there is no need for
a major Finnish relief compaign.
The Red Cross acted Immediately
upon the invasion of Finland and init
mates it can handle any need for re-
| lief without help from other organiza-
tions
In addition, there is no evidence that
any great Finnish relief crisis has de-
veloped or is in immediate prospect.
Of course if Russia speedily overruns
Finland, the situation may change
very much for the worse.
AS this is being written, Finland is
giving an excellent account of herself.
Also, it should not be forgotten that
Finland is one of the thriftiest and
soundest economically Of the European
nations.
X X X
| All in all, great Finnish relief
campaign seems hardly justified.
Particularly in view of the relief
situation right here in the United
States, richest nation on the face of
the earth.
Papers have been filled for days
with accounts of the appalling situa-
ton in Ohio cities, where many thous-
ands have had relief almost cut off
and have been on the verge of starva-
ton.
| No such reports of suffering and
destitution have come from Finland.
Films are taking care of their own
relief situation, though certain medi-
cal, surgical and other supplies are
needed, which will be provided unless
all signs fail.
Same can not be said of the United
States of America. We are not taking
care of our relief situation. Ohio
proves this beyond cavil.
X X X
This is not a discussion of where
the fault lies in Ohio. Same say Gov
ernor Bricker and his administration
are to blame. Others put the blame
on the public because in 1888 the
voters SLAMMED puDllc spending Dy
electing governor and legislature
pledged to balanced state budget
and no new taxes.
Wherever the blame lies, the Ohio
situation is disgrace, calling for
immediate action to relieve suffering
and near-starvation.
If no other means can be devised
to deal with the crisis, relief fund
raised by popular subscription would
seem to be in order, outmoded as that
method of coping with need for re-
lief may be.
X X X
The Ohio situation and the relief
problem generally in the United States
heads right back to what this column
has been hammering on for a long
time--need of solving our own prob
lens.
Finnish relief, yes,--if required but
let's not forget the pressing need for
relief here and the necessity for solv-
ing the economic evils that lead to
relief problems.