Arkansas Gazette May 5, 1927: OFFICER PRAISES MONTICELLO CAMPS Declares That Refugee Establishments Should Serve as Models Monticello, May 4 - Lieut. Col. Fred H. Bloomhardt of the Seventh Corps Area, U. S. army has just completed his official inspection of the Monticello flood relief refugee camps and has filed with Chairman F. B. Gardner the following reports: Negro Camp "It would be of the greatest benefit to many of the refugee camps if those in charge thereof could see the wonderful camps for the 3,000 negro refugees and the 500 whites in Monticello. Other camps have been inspected and most satisfactory reports have been made, but none has been seen up to this time that equals these two at Monticello. The camp for negroes, situated on a knoll with perfect drainage, is a model of efficient administration as well as construction. Municipal water has been piped to the fair grounds and electric lights have been installed. Standard latrines have been installed as well as shower baths which will become more and more a necessity in all of these camps as the weeks pass before the refugees can return to their homes. The same may be said regarding facilities which are being intstalled at the time of this inspection for the washing of clothing at a place some distance from the camp where both hot and cold water will be provided in abundance for! this purpose. The kitchen where the food is prepared is scrupulously clean, food is handled promptly and without any disorder, while within a very short time after the meal had been served everything was so completely cleaned up that a stranger might have thought no meals had ever been served. There is no sickness in this camp and local physicians are doing their utmost to carry out the program vaccination and inoculation. In this camp no cots have been provided, but the refugees are, it is believed, much more comfortable on their beds of hay covered with bedding than they would be on cots without mattresses. While the danger of fire is increased by the use of this hay, police regulations regarding smoking in tents will probably prevent any fires. Because of the experienced personal available, it seems almost unnecessary to even suggest that precautioins be taken to have only those in health on duty in kitchens." White Camp "All the excellent conditions mentioned in the report on the negro camp are true of this white camp just established. It was no small undertaking to run a line of water pipes 8000 feet in order that these refugees might have the advantage of a municipal water supply and the same is true with respect to electric lights. Both undertakings are especially worthy of commendation in a report such as this. The organization of the Relief Committee in Monticello, the smoothness of its functioning, the promptness with which everything undertaken is carried to a successful completion, and the the whole-hearted interest of the enitire community in the welfare and health of those unfortunate victims of the flood are as near idea as we can imagine.