Volume 18 , Issue 24

April, 1935 - Human Life Menaced By Middle West Dust Reign

It was in the Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, dated 13 April 1935, Saturday, page 1, that we found this article written by Robert Geiger concerning: "Human Life Menaced by Middle West Dust Reign."

Found on Newspapers.com

Guymon, Oka., April 13 (1935) -- Choking blinding dust storms lasting two weeks have made relief for human suffering imperative in the Oklahoma panhandle, County agent Gresier Lamar declared as new storms of grimy dirt swept the area.

Telephone men at Enid reported Forgan was whipped by another dust storm with visibility there two blocks early on that day in April 1935. Woodward reported one-half mile visibility with the wind from the southwest.

Clouds of dust subsided over most of the State yesterday (April 12, 1935) after one of the worst dirt storms on record in Oklahoma.

"The land is not in danger," Lamar asserted. "The health and welfare of the people who till the land are. They must have relief. In one season, perhaps even before Fall, this land can stage a comeback.

"It has been seriously harmed by dust and wind. With a little moisture the Panhandle still can produce a good harvest of row crops. The wheat mostly is gone, but with normal rains this Fall and snow next Winter the land can produce another bumper wheat crop next year."

By relief Lamar explained he meant protection against dust and aid in financial rehabilitation.

Two campaigns were under way to obtain Federal money. One would require $175,000 to $200,000 for erosion work not only in the Panhandle but in the dust belts of Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas.

Lamar said the $200,000 would pay for a contour listing program and would buy seeds for crops that hold the soil against winds.
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