Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-01-24
SLOW AND INEFFICIENT.


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SLOW AND inefficient.
Yet This is the Way Leading Journal Lets
Down the Flood Relief Commission
Philadelphia Times
The commission charged with the dis
tributiou of the Johnslown Relief Fund
has practically closed its labors by max
ing a report of the amount OF money con-
tribuled for the relief Of the unfortunate
sufferers by the Conemaugh flood and the
manner in which il has been used. This
report should put an end to all COM
plants of delay on The part of the com
mission, as well as to the charges that
have been made in some quarters that
the fund has not been judciously used.
The disaster which called for the crca-
tion Of the commission was appalling. An
entire valley was submerged and desolat-
ed. A careful investigation, extending
through seven months, shows that not
less than $500 persons were drowned.
Whole families were wiped out of exist.
ence and fiourishing towns and villages
were entirely obliteratcd, No disaster of
equal magnitude ever shocked and sad.
dened the American people. In proper
ton to the greatness of the disaster was
the generous and sympathetic response of
the couutrf. Help in every form was
eagerly tendeled Three millions of
money vas quickly raised, besides dona-
tions of untold value IN the form Of pro-
Visions clothing, and supplies OF various
kinds.
The commission was charged with the
herouloncan task Of applying this vast
sum in way that would most benefit
the teTror-stricken and destitute survivors
of the terrible catastrophe. That 1t
would be criticised for slowncss If It did
not distribute the money by the handful
was inevitable. The final result shows,
however, that it did wisely by making
haste slowly. The hungry have been fed,
the naked clothed, the sick cared fo,, the
dead deccntly buried, the debris. re,aoved.
and all in manner to help the survivors
help themselves, The submerged towns
| are arising from the mud and debris that
for while submerged their very sizes,
and the people are resuming their wontcd
labors to an extent that seven months ago
seemed impossible.
Not only have the present necessities of
the unfortunate sufferers been supplied,
but provision has been made for the fu-
ture of the widows and orphans. Even
the sick and disabled of the future have
not been forgotten, money having been
set aside for the erection of a permanent
| hospital, which will doubtless be amply
sufficient for the needs of the Couemaugh
| Valley for long time TO come. While
| the commission has doubtless made some
mistakes, on the whole, its administration
of the immense fund placed in its hands
will be generally commended as iudicious
and farsighted The distribution of
nearly three millions of dollars under the
trying circumstances which called the
commission into existence was task call
ing for the exercise of all the sympathy,
patience, and good judgment possessed
by lbs members.
1t will not be amiss here to saya word Of
the ready reponse of the American peoale
to this extraordinary demand upon their
generosity. 1t is entirely safe to say the
like Of it was never before witnessed. The
contribution of this three million fund
within a few days of the date of the fata
food, and almost before communication
with the Inflated district was resumed,
was an exhibition OF practical generosity
which clearly refutes the ort-made charge
that Americans are mere mouey-grabbers.
They gave grandly and generously, as
they viii doubtless do again and again if
occasion requires.
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