Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-06-20
OF THs nE1lkr,rU,D.

- - - AAAAsA A1E BOsN ID
..t. -
ahe Hoas0n Why tho Wilmington
committee Wtthhoids IGs 500, o,
notwithstanding what has been alfeady
published In regard to the financial course
OF the local Juhnstown rslief oommittes
IN holding back the large sum OF money
subscribed here for the relief OF the
sufferers by the recent foods in Pennsyl.
yania, the question is being asked daily
ny numbers OF Wilmingtonians why that
nov our committee being informed Of the
Iact that large numbers Of citizens OF the
afflicted district are DESTROYS Of rebuild
ing their dwellings and are waiting for
pecuniary help in order to commence
why the money subscribed here is not
sent to meet these immediate wants.
The answer is that while that want Ia
known, 1t is not yet known how properly
TO distribute the help to those who most
need II. In fact the central relief COM
mittee at Jobnstown ia not in position
yet to give that information TO the COM
nllttees OF the various cities of the coun-
Try where large sums OF money have
been collected and lie ready awaiting Off
clal information from the authorities in
the atliicted districts, Of YOUNGSTOWN,
Williamspoftgand other localities,
The Drexels in Philadelphia hold the
sum OF $9OO,OO0 awaiting the call. And
the SAME Is the situation elsewhere. The
question ia very naturally asked "why is
not the money sent to the sufferers at the
present moment, when they must need it
the most" There seems to be great fear
among the authorities who are to be en-
trusted with the disposition of the large
sums collected, of the money finding its
way into the pockets of those less desery-
ing OF help. In fact the officials choose
to wait little and be sure that the money
Ia carefully distributed among the real
sufferers, than to act impulsively, end
then very probably to discover to their
ehagrin afterwards that scores OF very
poor families for whom the help was
undoubtedly intended have been
overlooked. Such Encouragement
OF the trust would undoubtedly
bring down upon the relief committees
heads harvest Of universal oondemna-
ton. Something Of this nature has al
ready been limited at, that is to say
public criticism for q possible over. hasty
distribution Of help, In the action Of the
Chicago committee after sending the sum
OF $4,000 to Jamestown calling again
for It's being returned on the grounds
that no official statement had yet been
afforded showing definitely who and what
nature OF people the proposed benehoiaries
were. The money was sent back to
Chicago as requested as the central relief
committee which has only now at length
been properly organized could not afford
tue very legitimate information required
by the donors.
The Wilmington relief committee
stands in similar position. Mayor Har-
rington, as chairman, holds the sum Of
$4,000 OF public money which has been
subscribed by the citizens for a very
definite purpose. He and the committee
believe they are responsible to Whining
ton for strict accountability in its dis.
tribution.
Treasurer Henry O. Robinson went to
Philadelphia Monday for the purpo 70
OF ascertaiDing what information can be
gained for the Wilmington committee
looking towards as early disposal of the
money as can properly be done. Mr..
Robinson stated to GAZETTE reporter
on Monday that the Drexeis are as
bare Of information az the Wilmington
relief committee ID. Governor Beaver
and the officials ct Johnstown are all
strongly opposed to an iniisoriminate
impuisive disposal of the large gift OF
public money. From every direction the
advice comes to await authoritative in
formation from the officials before making
any peounisry disbursements at all.