The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-01
FOOD FOR KLOiDIkERS.
Cabinet Discusses Methods Of Send
ing Relief.
CONGRESS- WILL BE ASKED FOR
AN APPROPRIATION.
How to Get Food to the Miners the Chief
ouestion-A steam Snow Engine One
of the Methods Suggested.


Washington, November 30.-The cabi-
net today considered the subject of send
ing relief to the people in tho Klondike.
President Mckinley received telegram
from the Portland, Oregon, chamber OF
commerce stating that there was danger
OF destitution and suffering on the Klon-
dixie and offering to supply the necessary
food Tor relief if the government would
undertake its transportation.
The information was not definite as
to the actual conditions, but they were
on the same line that has oeen tele-
graphed from the Northwest The cabi-
net considered every phase of the situa-
ton and discussed ways and means of
afrording relief, the disposition being to
do everything possible to prevent starva-
ton and misery among the Americans in
the Klondike.
1t was decided that nothing could be
done until Congress met when an appro-
pr1atlon would be asked for the purpose
OF transporting food supplies.
Although many plans have been dis
O~N~>~ -~OANO
probable, however, that whatever action
IS taken will be under the direction of
the War Department., and by the time
Congress acts Secretary Alger will form
ulate plans. No attempt will be made to
go up the Yukon as the ice has closed
progress in that direction. Relief supplies
Will be sent over the passes.
just how they shall be transported is
question requiring earnest considera-
| tlon, and Will require the study of many
plans in order that an entirely feasible
one may be evolved
Secretary Alger will gather all possible
information and will communicate with
persons who know the route to the Klon-
alike and are familiar with the trans
portation methods in the Arctic and 9TH
er frozen regions. Reindeer and dogs may
be used and there is also suggesti on
that the steam snow engine, sue
cessfully used in the deep snow of the
logging camps, may be utilized. Score
tary Alger has confidence. in it as means
of transportation.
The members of the cabinet were all
intensely interested in the matter of se-
curing relief. Whether the men who are
supposed to be suffering went there or
not against the repeated warnings of all
officials is beyond the question, the sim
pie fact being that they are there and
need relief making 1t imperative upon
bno goVernmenI TO extend aid II posi-
BILE.
No estimate has been made as to the
cost and none can be prepared now.
Congress will be asked to appropriate
sufficient amount and the war department
will expend it in the most economical
manner, as in the case of the Mississippi
flood sufferers when $1,000 was appro-
priated and only $75, 600 expended. The
task Of getting supplies to the Klondike
in mid winter is not underestiInated and
doubts, are entertained as to it being a
possibility.
1t is probable that the President will
send special message to- Congress ask
ing for an appropriation for the relief of
the people in the Klondike and it is be.
lieved that prompt action will be taken
and the money madesimmediately avail
able.
Advices received today reported that
herd of reindeer with supplies, had been
started from a point on the lower Yukon,
about 600 miles from above St. Michaels,
the herd reaching the place by cutting
across land from q point opposite on the
coast. These reindeer are carrying sup
plies up and number of the people an
xious to get down from the Klondike
country will be brought back by this
means. This herd will be used through
the winter as far as possible.