Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-09
SSSL,295 50
THE EXPENSE COLUMN.
$S3l,295 81

The receipts as given above only show the
money contributions which passed through the
hands hands OF this committee. Large quantities of
chased by State and local committees were
forwarded to the flood sufferers through this
agency. Many, if not all the States to which
credits appears in this report, also sent large
contributions of both money and supplies to
the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania for
distribution through the committee appointed
by him. Receipts accompanied by detailed bills
for each and every item composing the items of
expenditure above given were exhibited to the
Auditing Committee, and Treasurer Thompson
also presented complete evidence of the accu-
racy and thorough system that characterized
the disbursements of the money confded to the
care of the Citizens Relief Association.
In connection with our Endorsement of the
financial report submitted to us, it may not be
inappropriate to briefly refer to the history and
to certain of the prominent features of the
magnificent work performed by the Pittsburg
association. Immediately after the first sad
news of the direful disaster that swept into
eternity thousands Of lives, and that spread
ruin and desolation throughout the Conemaugh
Valley had been flashed across the wires, a
mass meeting was called by the Mayors of
Pittsburg and Allegheny to give expression to
the sentiments of sorrow universally felt
throughout the country, and to adopt immedi-
ate and effective measures for the rescue and
relief of the suffering survivors.
GOOD PEOPLE SELECTED.
At this mass meeting this relief committee
was selected from among the leading and most
highly esteemed citizens of Western Pennsyl-
vania. The gentlemen chosen to conduct this
noble mission of charity in almost every in
stance occupy positions of prominence in the
great industrial and commercial enterprises of
their city and their State.
1t would be superhuous to allude to this
fact where these gentleme en- are so well and
favorably known. But IS contributions have
come to them from tens of thousands in dis
tant parts of the country it is believed to be
not out of place to make this favorable CON-
ment
On the first of June, the day after the dis
after. the labors that confronted this associa-
tion were of indescribable magnitude. The peo-
pie left surviving at JohnstoWn and elsewhere
in the stricken region were totally isolated
from the outside world. Railway and tele-
graphic lines on either side of Johnstown were
severed and carried away for many miles in
the general ruin. As soon as communications
could be established in temporary way this
committee at once pushed forward provisions
for the sustenance of the living and cofhns and
caskets for the burial of the dead. In every
way they directed and performed the work of
relief with intense energy and most Jealous
devotion.
AS soon as possible the General Committee
appointed subcommittees to organize, control
and guide the various departments of the dis
pensation of relief, such as the recovery and
decent interment of the dead. the furnishing of
food and raiment to the $1,000 destitute sur
vivors, the clearing Of the debris from the pub
lie streets and the erection of temporary
shelter and of permanent homes. All this vast
work of benevoleuce was faithfully and
thoroughly done. From the time of the advent
of this committee at Johnstown no one has
been allowed to suffer for food or other essen
tial necessaries of life.
In fine, the undersigned commission feel
certain that the sacred mission of charity con-
fded to the Citizens Association has been per-
formed with a noble fidelity that entities the
gentlemen composing this association to the
gratitude Of the entire people Of the Cone.