UNITED STATES DROUGHT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18651, 21 August 1930, Page 9

UNITED STATES DROUGHT.

Statement By President. RAILWAYS’ ACTION PRAISED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, August 19. President Hoover announced that the acute conditions brought about by the drought have been reported from approximately 300 counties, with crops almost completely ruined. In most of the others the destruction of crops has proceeded to a point beyond any great degree of recovery, although the pastures should improve. “It must be borne in mind that from a relief point of view the burden of the problem in the acute area will show very much more vividly over the winter than at the present moment. I have received from all sections of the drought area high appreciation of the railways for their prompt constructive action. It is a notable act of courageous co-operation, undertaken in the face of seriously reduced income, due to depression.” SPECIAL FREIGHT RATES. FINEST FARM AREAS AFFECTED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 20, 11.56 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 20. Mr Hyde (Minister for Agriculture), announced that the damage caused by the drought has already required 563 counties, approximately a fifth of all the counties in the States, to be certified for special freight rates for relief. Some of the finest farm and stock areas in the world are included in the sections requiring this aid for transporting feed and live stock, and Mr Hyde intimated that the list would grow. He added that there was no reason to believe that a special session of Congress would be required, as reseeding operations for farmers would not require credit until after Congress meets for a short winter session in December.