DROUGHT IN U.S.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1930, Page 5

DROUGHT IN U.S.A.

A STORY OF STARVATION

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Received this day at 11.30 am.) WASHINGTON, Dee. 17.

Reports received by Senators indicate that actual starvation has begun in Arkansas, which is the worst hit by The drought. Senator Caraway received letters, one of which from an Arkansas man stated: “My family is on the verge of starvation. I have eight children. If you can do anything for me I am sure it would be appreciated.” At the public school it is stated that at least two hundred grammar school children are on a slow starvation diet.

A lawyer also stated: “A thousand of our people will not be able to subsist to another thirty days.”

A woman wrote: “The morale of our rural population is breaking clown daily.”

The County Relief Chairman of FoiTest City, Arkansas, wrote; “Onethird of the population if? in actual leant of food, and the other twothirds are unable to help.” Numerous other letters from bankers, business men and prominent citizens contained stories of the serious situation.

A grocer reported: “Stores arc broken into; banks arc licit! up ami robbed, and the cattle are being killed for food by thieves. Fifty per cent of the fanners are without food, feed and clothing.” The Red Cross statistics indicate that a million persons are destitute in Arkansas alone, and thousand in oth-ei States are also suffering.