The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-07-19
'TATBMENT OF THE FLOOD RELIEF
COMMISSION.

AT regular meeting OF the Flood
Relief Comission, held on July 8, n
committee of three members was ap-
pointed to prepare for the information
Of contributors to the fund statement
of the general relief work performed
The committee makes report as follows:
In round figures the expenditures TO
date for reliet in the Conemaugh Val
ley, Johnstown and vicinity, aggre-
gate one million seven hundred thou
sand dollars. This includes the work
of the Pittsburg, Johnstown and Phila-
delphia committee and the Flood Com
mission; also disbursements of the State
in the abatement of nuisances and pay
ment of the military detailed to staff
and police duty.
Various committees in the West have
been working through the Pittsbui g
and Johnstown committees, and in the
East through the Philadelphia commit
tee and the Governor of the State.
The Flood Commission has been for
med to create unit Of administration.
In that commission, of which the Gov
ernor of Pennsylvania is the chairman,
the committees of Pittsburg, Phila-
delphia and the State at large have rep
resentation. All the funds placed un-
der control of the Executive have been
transferred to the Commission, and an
implied understanding exists that the
committees of Pittsburg and Philadel.
phia will do the same 1t is also desir-
able that all the money now in the
hands of other committees for this pur-
pose be placed under the jurisdiction of
the Governor and the Commission.
The Commission has held frequent
meetings in various parts Of the State.
All its members save ole or two, pre-
vented by uncomfortable causes, have
made personal investigation of the
several flooded districts of the
State. Relief has been gwen in all
needful directions with the greatest
dispatch consistent with the best wis
dom that could be brought to bear up
on the case. Correspondence and con-
ference have been freely invited for the
information of the committees in the
first instance and the Governor and
Commission subsequently.
The problem confronting the Com
mission in the Conemaugh Valley is of
great magnitude, demanding the ut
most celerity and the wisest and most
delicate discrimination.
The number of persons to be fed has
varied from maximum OF $50 to a
present commissary roll of 1000.
The number of distinct claims to be
passed upon, many of them involving
the interests of families or depende It
relatives, aggregate nearly 1000.
The Commission has sought to find
the will of the donors of the great sums
contributed for the relief of sufferers,
and believing that the following declar-
alton of principles met the conditions,
1t was adopted and promulgated at a
meeting held in Harrisburg on June 27:
"Io The Public.-That the donors
of the funds in the hands of the Flood
! Relief Commission may know how their
generous gifts are to be disposed of,
and that the expec.ant recipients of the
same may not form erroneous views of
and foster improper expectations for
the same, it is now officially declared
and announced that the following
principles shall govern the distribution
of relief:
81. The said fund is in the nature of
a charity to the needy, aud not as a
general indemnity for losses sustained.
SO. That 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 theil
needs or extent of their sutferngs.
"3. That distribution by percent
age on the amount of losses would be
manifestly 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.
81. That this fund cannot be used
for the benefit of any private or public
corporation.
"5. That the fund must go only to
the most needy sufferers from the flood
in accordance with and in the spirit of
the trust impressed upon it by the
donors
Sat the unanimous request of the
Commission, Hon. Hugh II Cummin
was requested to proceed to Johns
town aud remain there as the resident
representative and executive officer of
this Commission in the Conemaugh
Valley"
In accordance with the foregoing
Judge Cummin has fixed his office il
Johnstown as the resident executive O.
ther Commission and is working ener-
getically in harmony with the local
Relief Committee and the leading
citizens.
Supplies of food, shoes and clothing
will continue to be given to the needy
as required. 1t is hoped to shortly
discontinue this form of relief. -Four
hundred portable houses and two hun
dred to be built on the spot are already
contracted for. They will be made
ready for use rapidly, as the local com
mittee will indicate the places for them
The number will be increased. and the
rate at which they will be supplied neeo
only be limited by the ability to find
ground upon which to put them. They
will be furnished for occupancy as com
pleted. Relief in other forms is also
being given.
At Cresson July 0, the Commission
held conferences with committees from
Chicago, Williamsport and Johnstown
In view of the magnitude of the