Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-07-18
IOHNST0WN AROUSED
Protests Against Gen. Beavers Plan
Of Distributing Relief.
a VERY BIG MEETING.
The Presbyterian Church Completely
Chairman, nnd Declared the state
Commission Had Proved Incompe-
tont for Its Work,

JoHNsTowN, Pa, July l5.-Thc Presby-
terian church, with capacity of l 200,
was completely filled with a thoroughly
representative body of citizens to pro-
test against the manner in which the re-
lief fund was being distributed.
Burgess Horrcll was called to the
chair, and in brief speech outlined the
object of the meeting, and said that the
people OF the valley should themselves
have the disbursement of the money
intended for them, as the state commits
sion had shown their incapacity for the
work. A committee on resolutions was
appointed, and the following adopted: =.
Resolved, That we respectfully and
earnestly request that the fund contrib
uted for the relief of the sufferers by the
disastrous flood which devastated the
Conemaugh valley be as speedily as pos
sible distributed in money directly TO
the people to whose benefit it was do
mated, and that all purchases, contracts,
and all expenses to be paid for out of this
fund Immediately cease tha any hoard
ing up OF this fund to meet the problem
atical future wants will materially di-
minish its usefulness, and only result in
delaying to more distant time the re-
storatlon OF homes, of business, of in
duStry, and of confidence. 1t will do
more good in the hands of the people
now than at any time hereafter. That
we repudiate as insulting TO the man
hood and intelligence of our citizens,
now that the avenues of trade are
opened up, tho imputation that they can
not and will not wisely and economically
| diSbursc any funds placed in their
hands, and because of this imputation
the arrogant assumption that guardians
must supervise our expenditures, control
our disbursements, purchase our sup
plies, and make our contracts.
Resolved, That If the statement i'm
puted to his excellency, Gov. Beaver,
that "a million and half of dollars his
already been expended in Johnstown and
vicinity" has any foundation in fact, it
is the strongest possible argument that
expending relief funds in contracting for
| buildings, quartermaSter and commssary
| supplies is not a wise, judicious, or econ
omical way of disbursiug such funds,
when The ordinary sources of supply are
opened up. Only by gross extravaganza
and carelessness could such a sum have
been used here, and the people have re-
ceivcd no adequate return for the OK
penditure OF SO large an amount.
Resolved, That the disbursement Of
the fund subscribed for relief directly to
the sufferers by the flood will stimulate
business; will provide work for our
builders and trade for our merchants |;
will provide labor for our artisans and
| Will tend to restore confidence in tho
community, and will thus directly and in
directly help those for whom the fund
was intended, while any other course, at
this day, savors of jobs, rebounds to tho
benefit of nonresident contractors and
business men having no interest in this
community and unjustly discriminates
against our own citizens.
Resolved, That it is unfair and un uSt
to exact an oath us to private income and
relief before the bountcous charity of
our countrymen can be distributed to
| It's benciiciaries.
Resolved, That we hereby appeal to
the custodians of funds at Philadelphia,
New York, Pittsburgh and other locai-
| ties to transmit the funds in their hands
| intended for Conemaugh valley sufferers
direct TO our local finance committee, to
be distributed by that committee imme-
diately in cash upon acquisitions of tho
board of inquiry, upon such fair equitable
basis as may be adopted, and we invite
the cooperation of such custodians in
making such distribution.
Resolved, That this meeting express
Its profound gratitude to the many thou
sands of people in our own and other
lands who have spontaneously and gem
erously contributed to the relief of our
| people.
Speeches were made by Col. Linton,
Col. Rose, Capt. Kuhn, ex-Burges Chall
Dick, Rev. d. j. Bcal, Rev. w. II. Bates,
John NJ. Rose, Mr.. A. j. Hawks. Frank
III. Martin, esq, John Thomas, and a
number of other leading citizens, sup
porting the resolutions, and they wero
unanimously adopted.