I AM DEEPLY grieved to learn of the death and destruction visited upon the people of Puerto Rico1 and their possessions, and wish you please to report to me at once the salient facts of the situation especially those looking to immediate provision of any relief that can be supplied by our public agencies.
HERBERT HOOVER
[Honorable James R. Beverley, Governor, San Juan, Puerto Rico]
1 On May 17, 1932, the President signed Pub. Res. No. 20, (47 Stat. 158) designating "Puerto" as the official spelling.
Note: On September 27, 1932, a hurricane struck Puerto Rico, killing 245 people, injuring 3,329, leaving approximately 245,000 homeless, and causing about $30 million worth of property damage.
Governor Beverley's reply to the President's message follows:
The people of Puerto Rico deeply appreciate your cable. Hurricane caused great property damage but was confined to northern half of island especially at eastern end and around San Juan. Latest check late today shows 134 dead and 1,355 injured, believe dead will reach 200. Governor's Committee organized day before hurricane and Red Cross today placed emergency aid in medical supplies, food, and shelter in the regions most seriously damaged. We will need tents and cots from the States. These have already been requested and promised. Representative of National Red Cross scheduled to arrive Friday by air. Entire area affected by hurricane was surveyed from air yesterday and today. Spirit of people excellent. Work of reconstruction started early morning after cyclone. We will need some aid in the way of food for a few weeks.
JAMES R. BEVERLEY
Governor
[Honorable Herbert Hoover, Washington, D.C. ]
Herbert Hoover, Message to Governor James R. Beverley on Hurricane Relief for Puerto Rico Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/207661