Flood Report

Secretary of Commerce Herbert C. Hoover, his blocky face no longer furrowed with anxiety, returned again last week to Washington from the Mississippi Basin. Presenting himself to President Coolidge, he reported the extent to which 614,000 people in 120 counties had been helped to pull themselves out of the mud of the worst flood in U. S. history.

Self Support. Of all the flood victims at one time dependent on public support, 92% are now selfsupporting. All refugees have gone from all concentration camps to their homes, or sites of homes. Some 46,000 persons were still dependent last week for food and feed for livestock.

Canvass. In all the 120 counties touched by the flood, house-to-house canvasses were made to determine exactly what was needed in con- struction, repairs, furniture, seed, livestock, fowls, clothing. In 111 counties these canvasses were completed. The remaining nine coun- ties had estimated their necessities.

Funds. After paying out rehabilitation sums to the 111 canvassed counties, and setting up reserves for the remaining counties, and providing for the destitute until January, there will remain about one million dollars of the 16 millions raised by the Red Cross.

Health. In each county are medical units financed jointly by the states, the counties, the Rockefeller Foundation, the U. S. Public Health Service. The Red Cross furnishes medical supplies. So vigorously have these units worked that, save in a few counties, the flood-area people now have less typhoid, malaria, pellagra, etc., than in normal non-flood years.

Financing. Emergency finance corporations are at work with mort- gage-holders and local banks to help farmers finance their 1928 crops.

"The Greatest Measure of rehabilitation," said Secretary Hoover, "is, of course, the establishment by Congress of effective flood con- trol, for such a measure will restore confidence, security and credit."