Evening journal., 1889-06-13
Johnstown's busiest Men.

The two busiest men in Johnstown were
Gen. Hastings, who assumed control Of affairs
at 9 O'clock and Contractor Mcknight. The
former was directing his aids and getting
things in shape to push forward the work of
clearing away the ruins The latter was in
structing his foremen as to the hiring Of
laborers. Gen. Hastings was asked if it were
true that he had received telegram from
Governor Beaver instructing him TO sign nc
contracts for labor or anything else, whereby
the state could be held responsible for any
expense incurred
"No, sir, said Gen. Hastings; s'Governor
Beaver never sent me any such telegram |
have been given full power to act, and will
do so to the best of my ability
Contractor Mcknight was seen at noon and
was asked as 10 what would be the routine Of
his work. He said;
"There Will be no trouble about getting
enough men to work on the wreckage.
have about 500 at work now, but the number
win be increased to 1000 before night /
have signed no contract to complete the
work, but have a verbal agreement which
will, / am sure, be faithfully adhered to on
both sides.n
500 Special Policemen Discharged.
The 800 special policemen employed by the
county sheriff have been discharged and the
soldiers of the Fourteenth regiment put in
their places Owing to the conflict Of orders
heretofore existing between the sheriff and
Gen Hastings, the change is very gratifying
A public meeting has been called The o.
tensible reason given for the move is to de-
wise means by which the city can be protect
ed against floods in the future 1t is sta ted,
however, that a number Of citizens have
prepared and will present resolutions con
demning the South Fork Fishing club in
measured terms. An effort will be made 10
have it suppressed.
The Clearing Up Campaign.
Gen. Hastings has distributed the work to
be performed among a number Of contractors
who are already prepared with men, teams
and appliances TO push the work with vigor
Gen. Hastings has proved himself equal to
the occasion, and if his plans are carried out
the restoration of Johnstown is assured, and
that before very long. But very little out
side work was accomplished yesterday, but
today the labor of clearing the wreck was
resumed with determination. Col. H. T.
Douglass, chief Of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad engineering corps. reported to Gen.
Hastings and rendered his services. After a
consultation with Gen. Hastings, Col Doug
lass was placed in charge Of all of the engi-
neering features connected with the task the
state has undertaken.
To facilitate matters the valley has been
divided into districts. No / includes Cam
bria City and all points below the railroad
bridge down to Morrellville Five hundred
men, in charge of Contractor Ridge, of Pitts
burg, will work on this division. The gorge
at the viaduct will be known as division No
2, and will be cleared up by James Mcknight,
of Pittsburg. Mr. Mcknight viii use twenty
hosting engines, twenty teams and 700 men
to begin with. Nearly all of the city Of
Johnstown is included in division No. 3, and
will be taken care of by Coburn &, Mitchell.
of Altoona, with +. Laiand as engineer. Di-
vision No. includes Conemaugh, and will be
taken care of by McLain a. johnson, Of Pitts
burgh. Kernville is the Fifth district. and
James Mcknight has undertaken to clear
it mp.
Each district will be under the supervision
Of a competent civil engineer. Col. Douglass
the chief engineer in charge of the work,
says that the cost of Gearing the valley