Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-23


Jhylum, Punjab, January ga spec
ial correspondent of the Associated
Press. who is visiting the famine
stricken districts of India, accompany
ing the official mission engaged in the
same work, has arrieved here. An eX-
haustive inspection was made OF the
vast relief work known as the Jhylum
Canal, about which no less than 10000
coolies are congregated. OF this num-
Der $4,000 persons, either intlrm, aged
or blind. are classed as nOn-wOrkers.
AS the correspondent arrived here,
the coolies were just quitting work,
and the scene recalled the spectacle Of
the great oriental melah. The prepon-
derance of women and children was
noticeable After visiting the tents,
the officials of the mission travelled ID
the bazaar market, a long. double line
of mat huts thatched with grass. The
market was filed with grain dealers,
and heaps Of wheat, barley, maize and
millet were piled on the ground in front
of the huts Prices, it was remarked,
had fallen slightly since the recent
rains. which have caused a slight
change for the better in the stricken
districts. but in spite of this. the prices
asked for grain were terribly high, the
cheapest kind being double the normal
price.
The regular traders are furnished with
huts free Of charge. and from one hut tea.
stewed goats flesh and other such luTu-
rigs were dispensed TO the customers. such
rs minor officials Of the government etc.,
who were rich enough to- Indulge i'm them.
Hospital tents have been erected here
for the care of the sick. but up 20 the pres
ent there has been no necessity 10 use
them. The officials of the mission next
made an inspection of the coolie quarters.
consisting of long rows Of mat hu-s thirty
feet apart. They are ranged ON both sides
OF q broad sandy street and are Kept
scrupulously clean. Each hut is bull, 10
accommodate fifty persons who are con-
s,antly under the supervision OF different
officials.
The canal works were then visited and
a marvellous scene was witnessed. About
2S 00c men and women were hu=iiy at work.
Some we're digging ar5 Jtra- 01. ry-
ing away the excavaled earth IN baskets
on their heads. The workers were a
healthy. vigorous. cheerful lot Of people
many Of them singing they progressed
with the tasks allotted 20 them. and now
and then gianciuE NJ their children VINO
We're playing about in the vicinity ap-
parently quite as healthy and strong as
their parents.
At the registering department the visit
ing officials had another interesting eNpa-
rience Four clerks. seated ON high
bamboo platform. were giving the new
arrivals I'm search of relief work. the slips
Of paper qualifying them for employment
on the works. The greatest order and dis
cipIine prevailed on all sides. and there
was a cheerfulness ana regularity about
the whole proceedings which reflected
credit upon all concerned.
Finally the visiting officials visited lie
huts set apart for The helpless uon-workers.
There again was evidence of sood work
upon the part of the government officials.
The same extreme cleanliness prevailed
and every medical care possible was be-
slowed upon those needing attention.
Many babies have been born at the canal
works and the mothers of these infants are
maintained free Of charge. receive extra
nav while they are incapaci,ated from do
ing hard work and are given an additional
sum of money for the maintenance OF their
babies. Deserted babies or babies whose
mothers ore unable 90 suclde them are
fsd ON condensed milk by the medical stan.
CALCUTTA. January -2.-IAe govern
-. ras ordered tE. --Cpp.eD on FebI i-
arv Of all pigri mwaiiic from bQmnaF
M ri.L-. are now over I1-UtoU persons en-
Moved on the relief works and about l.tp'
80 a. r.-siyiug cratu.tou~ relief. The prin-
IDOL iv.relse I'm the uumh,r ot persons
- -. =. H. I1anral md IN u. NortnNe.. :.