ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Volume 29 (Spring 1970)

Hoover and the Red Cross in the Arkansas Drought of 1930

By Roger Lambert

Arkansas State University

IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION PRESIDENT HERBERT HOOVER faced a major domestic crisis which brought significant institutional and political controversy. A serious drought spread over much of the mid-section of the country bringing widespread demands for government assistance. Rather than provide direct relief, or a dole as he viewed it, the President turned to the Red Cross. For the first time that agency provided assistance to Americans in a crisis emerging out of something other than a flood, storm, or similar disaster. Although several states received aid, Arkansas was the first and major recipient of Red Cross support.

Early in July 1930 temperatures exceeded 107 degrees in northeast Arkansas and crops were on the " point of destruction." Rainfall in the state during June and July was not only the lowest on record but less than half of the next lowest year. Inability to irrigate caused the abandonment of much rice acreage. Fish suffered from "hot water" in the lakes and rivers. By August temperatures topped 110 degrees and some cities instituted restrictions on water usage. Since many rural wells dried up, some cities agreed to supply farmers with water to haul (2).

Though national authorities seemed unalarmed by the

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The author is Associate Professor of History at Arkansas State University. An Arkansas State University research grant helped with the travel and research on this topic. 2

Jonesboro Sun, July 10, 12, Aug. 9, 1930; Little Rock Arkansas Gazette, July 31, Aug. 10, 1930.

 

 
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