A great disaster has befallen a large region of our State; hundreds of people are homeless and helpless. At this time I cannot describe the extent of the damage done by the unprecedented floods of July 15th and 16th, nor can I undertake to portray the present and prospective suffering. By reason of the fact that Asheville has been cut off from communication with the outside world I could not be as promptly and adequately informed of conditions as others. But I am now prepared to say that along our western streams, large and small, running eastward from Wilkes on the North to Rutherford on the South, in the mountains, the floods have swept away not only the homes and the growing crops but even the lands themselves of hundreds, if not thousands, of our fellow men and women. They are in distress and many of them utterly destitute and helpless. Their all has been swept away in a night.

Now, therefore, I, Locke Craig, Governor of the State of North Carolina, am calling upon our generous people to respond to the cry of those who have been so terribly stricken. There is every reason to believe that many will for weeks have to be supplied with the necessities of life, in order that they may be sustained until they can find a means of livelihood. It is but right that our entire people should share this burden—but reasonable that the people in regions of the State in which no damage was done, where crops were spared and homes undisturbed, should open their hearts in generous giving.

I understand that a number of local subscriptions have been started and that at least two relief committees have begun work. It is not my desire to interfere with their work. I take occasion, rather, to commend them. At the same time, the disaster is so extensive, the work of relief so great, that I feel constrained to appoint a Committee of General Relief and to authorize it to take subscriptions and to appropriate funds as needs appear. Every dollar shall be accounted for, and every penny shall go to relieve actual need. I name the following citizens to constitute this committee:

Edward E. Britton, Chairman, Raleigh
John A. Park, Raleigh
J. W. Bailey, Raleigh
E. L. Daughtridge, Rocky Mount
Julian S. Carr, Durham
Cameron Morrison, Charlotte
Santford Martin, Winston-Salem
A. M. Scales, Greensboro
Gerald Johnson, Greensboro
Nathan O'Berry, Goldsboro
Walker Taylor, Wilmington
A. D. Watts, Statesville
J. J. Farriss, High Point
M. H. Justice, Rutherfordton
John Sprunt Hill, Durham
E. C. Duncan, Raleigh
Geo. A. Holderness, Tarboro
Hugh MacRae, Wilmington
John F. Bruton, Wilson
Clarence Poe, Raleigh
H. E. Fries, Winston-Salem
N. J. Rouse, Kinston
W. D. Turner, Statesville
R. M. Miller, Charlotte
E. B. Crow, Raleigh

Subscriptions may be sent to Edward E. Britton, Chairman, Raleigh, N.C. I am sure our people, once they realize the distress of their follow North Carolinians, will be quick to pour out their money in this noble cause.