Gainesville, GA Tornado, Apr 1936 - President Roosevelt Speaks

PRESIDENT SPEAKS IN GALE AREA

Courage Praised and Promise of Federal Help Is Made

GAINESVILLE, Ga., April 9.-(UP)-Two thousand persons, many of them homeless and mourning loved ones, stood in the light of flares tonight and heard PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT praise them for their courage and efforts to rebuild their tornado-wrecked town.

MR. ROOSEVELT promised the federal government would do all in its power to alleviate suffering and rehabilitate the storm areas of southern states.

PRAISES SPIRIT

The president, en route to Washington after a vacation at sea, spoke briefly after receiving a report on rehabilitation and relief activity from Red Cross and WPA officials.

"Government agencies of all kinds have cooperated wholeheartedly with very practical results," he said.

"I am proud of the fine spirit you people of Gainesville have shown and the thorough-going manner in which you have begun your own rehabilitation."

REPORT MADE

Before the president went to the platform of the train, WILLIAM CARL HUNT, assistant disaster director of the American Red Cross presented him a comprehensive report of death and destruction wrought by Monday's storm.

"Our survey shows that 165 persons have been identified as dead with 31 persons still reported missing," HUNT said. "Approximately 245 persons received injuries of more or less serious character.

We have found that two homes in Gainesville were demolished, 254 homes were damaged seriously, making a total of 1004 homes inside the corporate limits affected. To date 1000 families in Gainesville have registered with us, asking assistance."

Nevada State Journal, Reno, NV 10 Apr 1936