Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-17
WILL BUILD HOUSES.
An Important Conference at Johns
town Yesterday Afternoon.
PLANS FOB SUBSTANTIAL AID.
Ready-Msde Houses for Sufferers to be Put
Up at Once.
A SYSTEM OF MIXED RESTAURANTS

Chairman McCreery and s. S. Marvin, of
the Executive Committee, of the General
Relief Fund, visited Johnstown yesterday
morning and had long conference with the
Citizens Committee, of fJohnstown, in regard
to the best method of extending aid to the
sufferers. At the meeting besides
Messrs. McCreery and Marvin were present,
Messrs. Moxham, Lewis, Roberts, Ray, At
torney Ketchem and several others. Gen.
eral Hastings was also consulted and was
present at the meeting part of the time.
The situation was discussed fully and the
true state of affairs revealed. The Citizens
Committee reported that the families were
crowded together, often 20 persons in a
house meant for persons. In many
houses they were compelled to sleep on the
floor.
The men after coming home from work
have no place to change their clothing and
the situation, to say the least, is unhealthy
and most uncomfortable for the survivors.
BUILDING A NEW JOHNSTowN.
The General Relief Committee have been
searching for some time for the best means
of building up new Johnstown and giving
the sufferers permanent relief, but until the
end of yesterdays conference had not de-
cided on what course to take
At the close of the conference, Chairman
McCreery telegraphed Mayor Cregier, of
Chicago, to procure and send to Johnstown
as soon as possible 100 portable houses to
shelter the unfortunates. They will be
about 12x26 feet, and will be received in the
knock-down and put together on their arrival.
The houses are substantially built, with an
oiled floor and large enough to accommodate
a family of six persons without trouble.
They will cost about 5000 each. They will
arrive some time this week, and next Sun
day force of carpenters will go to Johns
town from this city to put them together,
and the Citizens Committee of Johnstown
will select who is to occupy them and where
they will be placed.
The committee will furnish each house
with O stove and utensils, six chairs, two
beds and bedclothes, two spring mattresses,
one pair pillows, two pairs of sheets for
each bed, woolen blanket, bureau, q table
and tableware to set it. In fact, family
will be given everything necessary to 60 to
housekeeping and told to go ahead now and
paddle their own canoe. Mr.. Marvin said
last night that where it was necessary bar
rel of flour would be added.
FINAL ARRANGEMENTS.
Their object is to start the town on toward
a rise from the ruins, but as the town is vet
in chaos it is impossible to make permanent
arrangements. The grade of the town may
be raised. If man cannot find lis own
ground now, he can set his house up any
where and move it onto his land when it is
found under the debris.
Chairman McCreery said last night that if
the houses give satisfaction the committee
would not stop at buying 1000 OF them and
building up the town.
In direct conjunction with this move at
building up the ruined city, General Hast
ings has purchased an immense quantity of
lumber, and will next Tuesday commence
building shanty stores for those that will
set up in business again. Over 100 have
already made application.
Mrs. McCreery was also present at the
conference with plan to start restaurants
in different parts of the district under the
direction of the Ladies' Relief Committee.
Their plan was to receive pay from all who
could pay and give to those who could not.
General Hastings did not think the plan
practical, as charity and business wouldn't
mix we'll" He said it must be either bust
ness or charity to succeed, and no decision
was reached until the ladies again meet and
talk it over.
The Citizens Committee at Johnstown
have advised that all future houses of the
better class be built on higher places.