ACUTE SUFFERING

Southland Times, Issue 21273, 19 December 1930, Page 5

ACUTE SUFFERING

PEOPLE IN ARKANSAS FAMILIES ON VERGE OE STARVATION ONE MILLION DESTITUTE (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Washington, December 17. Reports received by Senators indicate that actual starvation has began in Arkansas, which was the worst hit by the drought. Senator Caraway has received several letters, one of which was from an Arkansas man stating: “My family are on the verge of starvation. 1 have eight children. If you can do anything for me I am sure it would 'be appreciated.” An Arkansas lawyer reported: “I understand from the superintendent of our public school that at least 200 grammar school children are on a slow starvation diet.” The lawyer also stated: “Thousands of our people will not be able to- subsist another 30 days.” A woman wrote: “The morale of our rural population is breaking down daily.” The county relief chairman of Forest City, Arkansas, wrote: “One-third of the population are in actual want of food andthe other two-thirds arc unable to help.” Numerous other letters from bankers, business men and prominent citizens continue the stories of the serious situation.

A grocer reported: “Stores have been broken into, banks held up and robbed, and cattle killed for food by thieves. Fifty per cent, of the farmers arc without food and clothing.” Red Cross statistics indicate that 1.000,000 persons are destitute in Arkansas alone, and thousands in other States are also suffering. A message from Little Rock (Arkansas) says that twelve banks and trust companies in that State closed to-day on account of heavy withdrawals.