Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-08-23

Then the President himself
noted that the Government
operates under laws that limit
the scope of what can be done
to meet "this great disaster"
II am going to consult imme-
diately with the leaders of Con- I
gress," he added. If necessary. I
I shall call a special session"
In appealing for support Of |
the Red Cross emergency fund
drive. Mr.. Eisenhower said:
Red Cross money is not linn |
|ited. 1t goes to people who are
in need. to human beings. mott
Just to cleaning roads and re-
building schools but to people
that are hungry. or cold or have
no place to CO.
The President was fianked as
he spoke by Mr.. Peterson and
Mr.. Hartman.
Mr.. Hartman pointed out
that the Federal Government
was restricted in its relief ac-
tivities. He appealed for funds
ito help people who do not qualify
for Federal or State aid.
Red Cross aid, Mr.. Hartman
added, is a free gift to those
with no other resources who need
food. clothing, shelter and funds
for rebuilding homes.
He described the Red Cross asl
Just a vehicle for neighborsI
across the nation" to extend helpI
to the disaster victims.
Mr. Hartman said the flood |
disaster In this area is different |
from previous disaster expert |
ences because 1t has wiped out
so many industries, raising the
problem of helping those thus
thrown out Of work as well rs |
those suffering direct damage
from rampaging waters.
The President landed at Hart |
ford at 8:42 am. after a flight |
that gave him only occasional
glimpses of actual flood damage
because of cloudy skies.
! He and others aboard his per-
tsonal plane, the Columbine III,
got their first good view of high
waters at 8:07 am. tEDT1 when
they saw the "bank full"--as MI. |
Eisenhower called it--Naugatuck
River of TO the left.
Leaning against a window In
his stateroom, Mr.. Eisenhower
peered out toward Ansonia, Conn. |
The river 10 still full in its i
banks" he said. There is q dam
right there. You can see the topl
Of 1t. So the water receded oil
lot. ! thought you would see
mud sheets. You know I was
in couple Of floods out in Kan
sas There was one in 1908 at
my home town, Abilene. MY
brother and I were just wiped
out"
Some Parts Inundated
Then the Columbine passed
over Darby. The presidential
party could clearly see some Sec
lions still inundated.
you see the water there is /
still in the town." MFR. Eisen-
hover remarked. That's the
first time we've seen that"
Asked How do you feel about
those people down there?" the
President said:
Its a terrible thing. You
know the big thing is that we
get enough relief In here. The
Red Cross needs lot Of money.
You can help lot If you tell
people how badly we need to get
some private money In here"
In calling the emergency con-
ference. Mr.. Eisenhower said he
wanted ITO assure himself that
the Red Cross and Federal Gov
eminent and the States are CO.
operating effectively" in the
work of relieving suffering.
Calls for Donations |
He few here from Denver after
appealing to all Americans to
pitch in and help" by contrib
uting to a special Red Cross dis
aster relief fund being raised for
the flood victims.
The President took off from
Denver at 11:58 pm. EDIT last
might. His plane was routed to
give him a view this morning of
as much of the flood damage as
feasible.
With the President aboard the
Columbine were five White
House reporters and photogra-
pliers, pool" representing the
Nations press, television and
newsreels to convey to the public
his on-the-spot impressions of
the disaster that has taken
nearly 200 lives in the six States
hit by floods last week. !
A large group Of White House
newsmen few from Denver In q
separate chartered United Air
lines plane that made a pre-
arranged rendezvous with the
Columbine over wilkes Barre,
pa af a.ES a m and f1ew heside