Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-25
How Funds Have Been Distributed.

At regular meeting of the Flood Re-
lief Commission, held at Harrisburg,
Penn, July 9, a committee of three m en-
bers was appointed to prepare for the
information of contributors to the fund
of the JohnstOwn sufferers q statement
of the general relief work performed.
The committee made report, the fol
lowing being the same in substance:
In round figures the expenditures to
date for relief in the Conemaugh valley,
Johnstcwn and vicinity, aggregate one
million seven hundred thousand dollars.
Various committees in the west have
been working through the Pittsburg and
JohLstown committees, and in the east
through the Philadelphia committee and
the governor of the state. The flood
commission has been formed to create a
unit of administration. In that COM
mission, of which the governor of Penn
sylvania is the chairman, the committees
of Pittsburg snd Philadelphia and the
state at large have presentation. All
the funds placed uadeI control of the
executive have been transferred to the
commission, and an implied understand
ing exists that thu committees of Pits
burg and Philadelphia will do the same.
1t is also desirable that all moneys nov in
the hands of other committees for this
perpose be placed under the jurisdi stion
of the governor and the commission.
the problem confronting the commits
sion in the Conemaugh valley is of great
magnitude, demanding the utmost
celebrity and the wisest and most delicate
discrimination.
The number of persons to be fed has
varied from a maximum of 81, $50 to a
present commissary roll of 7,0OC.
The number of distinct claims to be
passed upon, many of them involving the
interests of families or dependent rela-
tives, aggregate nearly 1000.
The Commission has sought to find
the will of the donors of the
great sums contributed for the relief
of the sufferers, and believing that the
following declaration of principles met
the conditions, it was adopted and pro-
mulgated at meeting held in Harris
burg on June 81:
$40 the pubIic.-That the donors of
the funds in the hands of the Flood Re
lief commission may know how their
generous gifts are to be disposed of, and
that the expectant recipients of the same
may not form erroneous views of and
foster improper expectations for the
same, it is now officially declared and an :
nounced that the following principles
shall govern the distribution of relief:
81. That the said fund is in the nature
of a charity to the needy, and not as a
general indemnity for losses sustained.
s2. That a distribution per capita
would be manifestly unjust, as it would
go alike to the rich and poor and alike to
all sufferers, no matter what their needs
or extent of their sufferings.
So That distribution by percentage
on the amount of losses would be mani
testify unjust, as it would result In giving
the largest sum to the person having lost
the most, without regard to the value of
the remaining estate of such persons.
~. That this fund cannot be used for
the benefit of any private or public cCr-
porstion.
"5. That the fund must go only to the
most needy sufferers frcm the food in
accordance with and in the spirit of the
| trust impressed upon it by the donors.
CAT the unanimous request of the com
mission, Hon. Hugh 81. Cummin was re-