It is necessary to look upon this emergency as a national disaster.  It has been so treated from its inception.  Our whole people have provided with great generosity for its relief.  Most of the departments of the Federal Government have been engaged in the same effort.  The governments of the afflicted areas, both State and municipal, can not be given too high praise for the courageous and helpful way in which they have come to the rescue of the people.  If the sources directly chargeable can not meet the demand, the National Government should not fail to provide generous relief.  This, however, does not mean restoration.  The Government is not an insurer of its citizens against the hazard of the elements.  We shall always have flood and drought, heat and cold, earthquake and wind, lightning and tidal wave, which are all too constant in their afflictions.  The Government does not undertake to reimburse its citizens for loss and damage incurred under such circumstances.  It is chargeable, however, with the rebuilding of public works and the humanitarian duty of relieving its citizens from distress.

The people in the flooded area and their representatives have approached this problem in the most generous and broad-minded way.  They should be met with a like spirit on the part of the National government.  This is all one country.  The public needs of each part must be provided for by the public at large.  No required relief should be refused.  An adequate plan should be adopted to prevent a recurrence of this disaster in order that the people may restore to productivity and comfort their fields and their towns.

Legislation by this Congress should be confined to our principal and most pressing problem, the lower Mississippi, considering tributaries only so far as they materially affect the main flood problem.  A definite Federal program relating to our waterways was proposed when the last Congress authorized a comprehensive survey of all the important streams of the country in order to provide for their improvement, including flood control, navigation, power, and irrigation.  Other legislation should wait pending a report on this survey.  The recognized needs of the Mississippi should not be made a vehicle for carrying other projects.  All proposals for development should stand on their own merits.  Any other method would result in ill-advised conclusions, great waste of money, and instead of promoting would delay the orderly and certain utilization of our water resources.

Very recently several of the New England States have suffered somewhat similarly from heavy rainfall and high water.  No reliable estimate of damage has yet been computed, but it is very large to private and public property.  The Red Cross is generously undertaking what is needed for immediate relief, repair and reconstruction of houses, restocking of domestic animals, and food, clothing, and shelter.  A considerable sum of money will be available through the regular channels in the Department of Agriculture for reconstruction of highways.  It may be necessary to grant special aid for this purpose.  Complete reports of what is required will undoubtedly be available early in the session.