Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 10
IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 12, 1946 The President today sent telegrams to about 125 leading citizens, requesting that they serve on a National Famine Emergency Council to take the lead in their organizations and their communities in explaining needs and methods of food conservation. The National Famine Emergency Council will supplement, through organizations and in communities in all parts of the country, the work carried on in Washington by the executive committee of the President's Famine Emergency Committee of 13 members. The Executive Committee appointed today to serve with Chester C. Davis as chairman, consists of Eugene Meyer, publisher of the WASHINGTON POST, as vice-chairman; James W. Young of New York City, chairman of the Advertising Council, Inc.; Miss Anna Lord Strauss, pres- ident of the National League of Women Voters, and George H. Gallup, director of the American Institute of Public Opinion. Former President Hoover is honorary chairman of the President's committee and Mr. Davis NARA is chairman. The work to be done by the council of about 125 throughout the country in acquainting the public fully and speedily with the facts as to famine conditions abroad and with the necessity to conserve food at home was outlined by President Truman in the following telegram to those who are asked to serve: "At suggestion of Famine Emergency Committee I am asking you as citizen and leader in a field concerned with food relief crisis to serve as member of National Famine Emergency Council. Council members will be asked to take the lead in their organi- zations or areas in promoting understanding of the facts about the danger of starvation of people in the war zones abroad and about the necessity to conserve food at home to meet those needs. General meeting of the Council is not to be called but you will be asked to serve in your community and organization to further objectives of emergency food program, and to sub- mit your suggestions and recommendations. Please wire me promptly of your acceptance. Letter from Chester C. Davis, Chairman of Committee, will follow." The list of those requested today by the President to serve on the National Famine Emergency Council follows: (list to come)