U.S.A. DROUGHT

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 July 1936, Page 10

U.S.A. DROUGHT

MANY FARMERS DESTITUTE. [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.] WASHINGTON, June 30. A warning that drought conditions may equal, if they do not exceed, those of the year 1934, was voiced by Mr Wallace (Secretary for Agriculture) to-day, as he started an extensive inspection tour of the West, after a conference with President Roosevelt and officials of various relief administrations. I While menacing conditions have been evident in the Central NorthWest for some time, Mr Wallace revealed that twenty-four of the most important agricultural States have suffered from a subnormal rainfall during the past month, and that a serious moisture shortage is being felt throughout the Midwest, and also in Texas as far south-eastward as Tennessee. President Roosevelt, according to Mr Wallace, has organised a special Drought Committee to co-ordinate with the Government in' relief efforts. The immediate problems being considered were the succouring of thirty o> forty thousand destitute farm families in Wyoming, Montana, and the Dakotas, and the inaugurating of a forty million dollar cattle purchasing campaign. Mr Wallace recalled that five hundred million dollars was expended during the 1934 drought, and he intimated that a similar pro- , gramme might be necessary this year, unless heavy rains become general before July 20.