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President Harding Directing Work at Emergency Speed to Relieve Threats of Famine and Epidem ic of Pellagra—Special Legis lation May be Asked. Washington, July 26.—Federal agencies acting at President Hard ings directions, were working at emergency speed today to relieve cons itions in a large section of the South ern cotton belt which are reported by the public health service to threaten a near state of famine coupled with an widespread epidemic of pellagra. Alarmed by the report of conditions, attributed to the economic plight of cotton growers resulting from depres sion in the cotton market President Harding yesterday called on the pub lic health division and the Red Cross bureau to make an immediate investi gation to ascertain the conditions and to lose no time in applying an effec tive remedy. Declaring the shortage of money resulting from the inability of the people of a large section of the south to sell their cotton was threat ening “famine and plague” the pres ident wrote Surgeon General Cum ming, of the Public Health service that immediate and effective measures of amelioration are manifestly de manded if conditions even approxi mate the gravity suggested by the health service. Promising the full co-operation of all Federal agencies, the president also declared that if found necessary congress would be asked to pass special legislation to meet the situa tion. No Pellagra in Louisiana New Orleans, July 26. There is no pellagra epidemic in Louisiana,” said Dr. Oscar Dowling, president of the state board of health today.” On the contrary there are fewer cases than usual ot this time of the year,” Not Bad in Arkansas Little Rock, July 26.—There is no semitamine in’ Arkansas and pella £ is no more prevalent than in previous years, according to Dr. C. W. Garrison, state health officer. No such conditions as were de scribed in’ President Harding's letter exist in this section, it was said. Danger Not Grave Jackson, Miss., July 26.Although the number of pellagra cases in Mis sissippi has increased to 2,239 in June of this year, compared with 1,022 cases for the same month in 1920, there is no grave danger of a pella gra epidemic and no semitamine con dition prevails in this state at this time, it was said today by Dr. W.S. Leathers, executive officer of the state board of health, in discussing the letter of President Harding rela tive to relief measures for the cot ton belt. Pellagra demands attention but the situation does not justify the inter pretation that has been given — it continued Dr. Leathers, No Epidemic in Florida Jacksonville, Fla, July 26.—State Health Officer Turck says there is no pellagra epidemic in Florida, and has the number of cases showing a decrease.The state marketing bu reau says there is an abundance of food everywhere in Florida.
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Lakeland Evening Telegram
Lakeland, Florida, US
Tue, Jul 26, 1921
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USA 16 Nov 2025
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Lakeland Evening Telegram
