Western Argus (Kalgoorlie, WA : 1916 - 1938), Tuesday 14 July 1936, page 35


DROUGHT IN U.S.A. DESOLATION AND SUFFERING ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Washington, July 4. A graphic picture of the desola-tion and suffering in the drought stricken areas is painted in a report issued by the Works Progress Ad-ministrator, Mr. Hopkins, to-night. Most of the great plains area faces its third major drought in six years. In practically all the areas the severe drought of 1934 intensi-fied the distressing rural economic conditions which have now been ac-cumulating for over a year. In the North Texas plains wind erosion has damaged as much as 95 per cent. of the crop land, a large proportion so badly that it is of questionable value for future crops. The pasture lands in some localities are less than one-fourth of normal, and the short-age of feed crops has compelled a reduction of 50 per cent. of the herds. Ninety per cent. of the farmers in some of the countries were on relief in 1935, the successive crop failures since 1930 having pauperised the population. "Some of the drought areas, notably in North and South Dakota, have been in a distressed condition for six years as the result of droughts, grasshopper plagues, dust storm soil erosion and low crop prices," says the report. Whole communities of people have been. compelled to accept emergency as-sistance. From 40 to 50 per cent. of the lands in the drought area are mortgaged at 6 per cent. and the farmers are tax delinquents." The report suggests the conversion of crop lands to pasturage to in-crease the grazing industry and the removal of farm families to better lands. It is estimated that 60,000 families will need assistance of one kind or another. The States chiefly affected are Texas, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Minnesota alone has 6000 square miles of drought areas.