Chapter 22 Summary

Hoover quickly shifts the national discussion from disaster to organization. Under his guidance, the Red Cross sets up a headquarters in Memphis. Fund-raising drives are organized. Hoover sets up a special headquarters train, including a railroad car for reporters. Hoover carefully creates a potent publicity machine. He also makes red tape disappear, using his power to authorize broad programs. Order finally begins to emerge.

Tens of thousands of people are living on rooftops or in trees, hungry and wet. The few boats in the flooded areas are insufficient to mount successful rescue operations. Under Hoover's guidance, with the Red Cross as organizational power, boats are imported, commandeered and organized. Soon, thousands of people are transported to high ground, often to the levee itself. Eventually, nearly one thousand boats of all sorts will be organized in the relief effort. Flooding continues. In May, the...