Exaggerated Reports and Relief
While the recent Florida hurricane was the most severe ever to visit this state, and ranks with the most tragic of all disasters, there is not the slightest question that the first reports were greatly exaggerated. The number of dead reported was largely in excess of the actual number, and general conditions were pictured to be much worse than they were. It was stated, for example, that the number killed in Miami was 1,000, whereas the number accounted for was 115. It was said that Miami had been totally blotted out; that want, pestilence and outlawry stalked through the devastated city. A negro newspaper in Chicago published a story stating that white citizens had lynched many negroes. It became necessary for the Miami Chamber of Commerce to issue a denial of a published report that yellow fever existed at Hollywood. And there were many other stories equally untrue which, published broadcast, were given credence. Stories of looting and looters being shot were common, and untrue. There was some looting, but no looters were shot.
It was not strange that many wild reports were circulated outside the stricken district, for they were current on the streets of Miami. This situation was occasioned by the general confusion and disorder that follow any accident or calamity in which a great many people are affected. This is not written to minimize the destruction, for the chief purpose actuating this writer is to state conditions as they truly existed.
The urgency of mentioning exaggerated reports is apparent because they have led to a most unfortunate controversy among persons engaged in relief work, which is raging even at the moment these words are written. Governor John W. Martin visited Miami soon after the storm, and upon his return gave out the statement that conditions were not as bad as had been reported. This brought forth a heated rejoinder from John Barton Payne, of Washington, executive chief of Red Cross, to the effect that Governor Martin's statement had hindered the collection of funds for relief. He intimated that the Governor and real estate operators were attempting to minimize the situation for unworthy purposes.
The Miami Daily News urged that the Governor call an extra session of the legislature for the purpose of appropriating several million dollars for relief, and queried members of the legisla
