Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-26

General Hastings Almost Herculean
Task at Johnstown Nearly Completed.

Several bodies were recovered at Johnstown
yesterday. The work of blasting continued in
eessantiy all day, but on account of heavy
rain work IN the rubbish was suspended Col.
Hill, Col Spangler and Gen. Hastings attended
meeting of the Johnstown citizens held for
the purpose of consulting in regard to the clos
ing up of the work in the region. Gen. Hast
ings stated that the state work had so far pro-
crossed that he estimated the cleaning up Of
the debris in the Conemaugh above the stone
bridge would be completed by the end of the
week and that the work of cleaning up the
streets and thoroughfares in Johnstown and
neighboring boroughs. with the present force,
would probably be completed within the next
ten days.
The work of cleaning out cellars under such
houses as had been condemned by the board of
health as a sanitary precaution would also be
completed within the same period, and that at
the end of that time there would remain of ne
cessity very considerable amount of work to
be done, but it would be mostly on private
property. He stated further that the commits
sary department is at present supplying pro-
visions to about 25 900 people. there being two
large supply depots and eleven distributing
commissaries. Colonel Spangler stated that
that there were now actually employed earning
wages z, 500 men.
1t was recommended that all heads of fami-
lies and single men earning wages should be
discharged from relief in the line of food,
clothing and supplies, and that the commissary
stations be reduced TO three four in number
and placed in the hands of Captain Henry Fl.
koon, of Johnstown. who has been assisting the
department since the flood.
Gen. Hastings said that the temporary store
rooms, now being erected on Park square, were
fully under way and would be completed within
ten days; also that the bridge across the Cone
maugh near the railroad would be completed
to-day, and that the other three bridges would
in all probability be completed this week. 1t
was recommended that on Saturday next the
military force be reduced to $50 men.
After the interview with the committee citi-
Zens' meeting was held later in the afternoon,
at which the following resolution was adopted
Resotred, That the time has arrived, in the
Judgment of the committee, to reduce the pres
emit distribution of supplies, and that Gen.
Hastings be requested to taxe such measures to
effect this as may seem best, and that we, the
committee. approve the consolidation of the
existing commissaries and placing these in the
charge of Capt. Koon, with such assistants az
may be necessary.
REVOLT AGAINST THE CHEAP HOUSES.
Johnstown people are in open revolt against
the Pittsburg committees 500 houses and they
won't have them. No one of the residents thus
far heard from will take one of them. The fact
Is the houses were never intended for family
occupancy, but were constructed for fishing and
hunting parties in the summer season. One of
the houses was put up near the Baltimore and
Ohio depot. 1t is a shed-like affair of drab
color and has about as many points of architec-
tural beauty about it as the coal-house behind
country school-house. 1t is simply shell 10
feet by 16 feet, partitionless, chimneyless, lin
ingless, ceilingless in fact, it is only carica-
ture. 1t is not as warm as an "A" tent, and not
half as roomy, and still it is the kind of build
ing in which the Pittsburg relief committee
proposes to domicile the families of the house,
less sufferers of the devastated valley.
Gen. Hastings heard the first Ihurmurs Of
discomfort with respectful incredulity, but as
soon as he saw the shell he was Just as indig-
nant as any of the kickers, and at the meeting
yesterday afternoon took occasion to express
himself in the strongest terms. He told the
Citizens committee that the houses were in no
sense what he expected them to be or what
they had been represented to him, and he
would not insist that they occupy them. He
told them that he would do all in his power to
remedy their troubles, and if possible get them
substantial buildings. He said he told the
commission when it was here few days ago
that Master Carpenter Hughes would build
four-roomed two story buildings for the same
money. and larger ones in proportion, of hem
lock. These, Gen. Hastings said would be
durable and comfortable, and would last the
occupants till they should be able to build their
own houses again, be that six months or three
wears hence