Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-29
DIFFICULTIES oF ADJUSTMENT.

DIFFICULTIES OF ADJUSTMENT.
The labor involved in deciding upon the
merits of the various claims and upon the
fair adjustment was attended with many diff
culties. While the sworn statements as to the
amount of loss and of property remaining are a
protection to the commission, yet 1t was soon
found that they were, in large number OF
cases, absolutely unreliable. not only by reason
of an attempt to magnify losses for the purpose
of receiving larger award, but mainly because
of the exaggerated values which naturally are
placed on ones own possessions.
In most cases the amount Of loss given Is
largely greater than that given in their first
statement and as a rule about one-third larger
than the estimate as made by the local district
committees. This should be considered in con-
nection with the statement of percentages
paid, as the latter are calculated on losses as
given in the sworn statements.
1t was also found that in very few cases
claimants had made a full return of their pos
sessions, excepting their property directly in
the Conemaugh Valley. In the final decision
upon any case, therefore, in addition to such
information was obtained from other
sources, consideration was given to the orig
inal statement of the claimant to tie report by
the local district committees and to the
sworn statement as to the loss and to all the
other features of the case, as value of prop
erty remaining, health, age and dependents. as
shown in the statements, while as to the gen.
eral merits of the claimants, almost absolute
reliance was placed on the citizens of Johns
town, who had been selected by the people
themselves for the purpose of deciding upon
this point
AMOUNT DISTRIBTTED.
The accounts as whole do not, therefore, ,ap-
pear in the books OF the treasurer but are shown
in the general office of the commission.
Moneys received were acknowledged and de-
posted by one department of the office, and the
accompanying letters were hled in another de-
partment, and all payments were made BY draft
or by check. Except in the 'nrst distribution"
in the Conemaugh Valley, when only the en-
dorsement of the recipients was required on
the orders and checks, and IN the final distri-
button in which the checks themselves con-
tanned formal receipt all payments made by
formally receipted which receipts are filed with
the records of the commission. While not
mentioned as matter of SPECIAL credit, yet it
is gratifying to say that in the care and dis
bursement of this large fund no accidents have
happened. and the moneys have reached the
objects intended without loss on the way. A
general summary OF receipts and expenditures
is hereto annexed:
RECEIPTS.
Contributions sent to Governor
From the Permanent RELIEF COMMITTEES - - ~ "
From the PttsbGr9 RELIEF Committee So OSS 90 90
From the New York Relief Committee. ole, 199 IS
Total receipts. ............. e. sl2, 846 30
EXPENDITURES.
Expended in the Conemaugh gh Valley
including expenses (of this sum
checks, in number @ to the amount
of s. GO have not yet been presented
to the bank for payment) 5s2 sss 6s
Conemaugh Valley ............ 24s. as 2s
Expended for general and Office ex-
penses ........................... 572s 50
TotsI Rotsnes expenditures So = 70 10 g g
all feo alo 1F.