Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-27

comnunicauon mas been furnished. with Q
request that il be given general publicity:
'JoHSsrowx, June &c. 1889.
ITO all committees holding funds for relief Of
Johnstown sufferers:
"Dear sirs: The Johnstown finance commit
tee for the relief Of sufferers by the food would
represent to you that there is urgent necessity
for the prompt and wise use of the money
which has been generously contributed by
the country for the alienation OF the distress
OF our suffering people. Large as these sums
OF money are they win be utterly INADEQUATE 10
90 more than TO mitigate the present distress
and TO AID this community 70 make an effort for
seh-help. Their patience has been unprece-
dented, and they are now beginning with cour-
fashion shelter for their families
and places in which business can be
carried on II is impossible for the committee
or any number of committees 20 supply this
community with the things il needs. II 10
really in need Of everything and the onlv
practical way OF helping il is 10 put into the
hands Of the kind individual members OF the
community, by which they can get what thew
need, not mere for subsistence. but
all the various requirements Of a
people who are beginning life anew upon de-
vastated tract Of land ON which once their fair
city stood Our committee has been in re-
ceipt OF contributions Of money sent us from
all over the country. We have used necessarily
portion Of this money for the labor incident
TO the distribution Of supplies of food. clothing,
ana shelter, the collecting Of statistics, &c We
have waited anxiously for some movement 10
be made on the part Of the committees through
out the country having large sums Of money in
their hands which would indicate what they
intend TO do with those funds.
WE CAN WAIT NO LONGER
Z The necessity is SO great for prompt action
that our committee has been Obliged 10 adopt
a plan for using its pittance Of money for the
immediate relief of the sufferers II has
set on foot and will have completed
shortly an accurate registration Of All
the survived sufferers. and il il rro-
posed as an equitable and quick method OF
reaching their first pressing wants 20 divide the
money which 1t holds equally among them.
The sum which will be given 20 each will neces-
sariy be small, but il will inspire them
with the hope that the larger amount
OF money contributed for their relief NAV
speedily become available and il will give a
better heart and fresher hope TO those who
are now struggling TO re-establish themselves
In their lost employments and avocations.
THE POSITION HERE rs AS FOLLOWS:
The working people are offered ample en-
ployment, and as they are a people who own
homes, they are sticking TO Johnstown in spite
Of their present privstions Our merchants
and tradesmen seeing this are quickly opening
any type. We have thus on the one hand q
community needing enough supplies from the
merchants to enable them TO do a good busi-
ness, and on the other hand the merchants
making an earnest effort to supply this demand
III we can bring these two together and
keep them together during the sixty
days, our community will again be self
sustaining. But already the inability
of thepeople to purchase is causing great de-
spondency upon the part of the merchants,
N not oh. l.1 ill
ther want and hoplessness. There is but one
one way TO stop this, namely, TO furnish the
people funds with which 10 go to the merchants
and make the purchases Of that which will re-
ieve them from their sufferings.
TWO NEEDS ARE BEFORE Us.
First, to commence distribution Immediately;
second, to continue 1t on a basis equitable to
all and satisfactory to the country.
The registration spoken Of above takes into
account merely the number Of survivors 10 be
reached quickly by the first distribution.
The above is for speed Following this
the machinery will close and &C
curate statistics; 80 that by the time the good
effects of the first distribution have worn away
we will be ready for fair and equitable
further distribution OF further sums secured.
based not upon the number of the food suf-
ferers, but upon their respective losses.
Coincident with this distribution. we are
making all the arrangements here that we can
make to curtail the free distribution Of sun
plies of all sorts in order TO check two large
evils first, waste Of money contributed by the
nation; immense amounts Of valuable material
are coming here, the very things that are
not needed, while things that are needed the
people, as we say, are absolutely suffering for
Second. To check the demoralzing effect
upon the manhood of our inhabitants Those
who were good men before the food are be-
coming demoralized and upset by the fact that
they find they can live without work Nor
must they be blamed after what they have gone
through; it is only human nature, nevertheless,
it is something to be quickly checked.
little thought must convince You that no
committee, however perfect, can satisfactorily
and wisely meet the wants of at least 10000
people when each one Of the 10000 have differ
ent wants.
We will add to this another strong argument
in favor Of our plan Granted that the nation
has contributed-say 81 ,000. 900. The quicker
that money reaches the sufferers the more Of il
they will get II costs money 10 take care Of
the organization which distributes. The more
quickly this organization effects it's purpose the
greater the percentage Of this assumed million
dollars will reach it's proper channel.
We understand that you are holding fund
devoted for this purpose pending some ar
rangement for its proper distribution. We
would strongly urge you TO consider the plan
We lap before you, and We would beg Of you,
unless you can suggest something better, 20 az
once come 70 our aid with your fund. Do not
wait longer on the proposed action of anybody
else, but act at once and for yourself.
II you do not approve Of our plan we stand
ready TO change or amend il. We stand ready
to do anything that viii quickly bridge over
the present sufferings Of this community. We
urge you to send your fund here for local dis
tribation, and 10 send with il some Trustworthy
representative, whom we will add 10 our COM
mittee, giving him full power TO speak for the
fund you contribute.
We urge you 10 sehs some one prepared to
stay with for at least sixty days; IL not vol
unteer, then some one whom you can employ
and pay for his services. We ask that Won con-
slider carefully and let us hear from you very
promptly.
We may add that our plan has been submit
ted TO a full meeting of the citizens and has
met with their unqualified and unanimous ap-
provaL Please let us hear from you quickly.
Very respectfully yours. (Signed) James Mo-
Millen, chairman Johpstown finance committee.
Cyrus Elder, secretary Johnstown finance COM
mittee.
At an informal meeting Of the Masonic fra
ternity Of Johnstown and Cambria City. last
night. ii was decided TO close their relief stores
end xrsu5 un he S,sxrfhrfsor ~ .,,xfs~~