The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-08-04
FOR SOLDIERS FAMILIES
Mayors Committee Meets
and Discusses Plans
for Relief
SEVERAL PROPOSITIONS MADE
Committeeman Find Many
Relations of Those at the
Front in Need.

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The third meeting of the Wan Relief
Committee was held in Mayor Hoos' prf-
vate Office last night. Their We're present
Frank O.. Cole, Joseph Bernstein, J. H.
Bumsted, DR.. L. J. Gordon, A. J. Corcor-'
an. C. ]. Cronan, Robert avis DIR. Edge,
john W. H-ardenbergh, Stephen L. Har-
vey; Rev. L. A. Meury, Samuel Maggie,
Rev. Father Seton, w. B. Simmons, VIII
liam Sullivan and w. J. TAFT.
Treasurer Gordon reported that he had
distributed two thousand circulars solicit
ing contributions, among churches, lodges
and other organizations, and to many
public spirited and charitably inclined
citizens. Father Seton said that he had
not read the appeal in his hurch because
he is engaged in raising funds to retire
a note of $4,000. He did not, he said, like
to mako two appeals at the same time to
his people. Frank O.. Cole remarked that
he had yet to hear Of a clergyman who
read the appeal from the pulpit last Sun
day.
Mr.. Harvey explained that the circulars
were not read last Sunday chiefly because
they were not received until late Saturday
night. Trustees of the churches have 70
be consulted before such documents can
be read. Mr.. Harvey expressed the be-
lief that the appeal would be read from
many pulpits next Sunday.
Fhe several ward committees appoint
ed to investigate applications for relief
filed reports. All were referred to the
Executive Committee for action. So far
twenty-five applications for assistance
have been received, and in each case
some relief has been afforded. In addi-
ton to the $685. previously subscribed,
Treasurer Gordon reported the receipt of
500 from the United Gas Improvement
Company and s25 from f. S.. Wells. Sug-
gestions were called for the best means
of raising funds.
Robert Davis favored the giving of a
monster concert in the Armory selling
tickets for 81 apiece. Mr.. Davis ex-
pressed it as his belief that at least $500
could be realized. Frank o. Cole said the
sending of a circular to every person to
whom :. ticket would be sent would be
productive of the same result.
Mr.. Davis disagreed with him and
called attention to the fact that people
their money If an entertainment were
arranged, diu NOuiu uouuticSS Ioht4iDueN
more willingly and literally.
Mr.. Cole insisted hat the people were
patriotic enough to contribute without
getting a return
Mr.. Davis and others doubted it. Mr.
Bernstein favored a concert and SO did
s.. i. Harvey. DR.. Gordon opposed 1t
n said an entertainment should not be
given until all other means of raising
funds had been exhausted. DR.. Gordonss
objection was that the giving of a on
cert was too. much like making a bust
ness out Of the suffering of poor people
He also declared that sufficient money
for the emergency will be raised without
an entertainment. He knew. he said,
where there was $3.50 waiting to be con-
tributed He also said that subscriptions
had come in slowly because a great many
people are out of the city.
Mr.. Davis said he was by no means
anxious to give an entertainment, as it
would involve lots of labor. He would
give one, however, if desired. At his own
suggestion it was decided to defer the
concert until October or November. when
funds may be needed more han they are
now.
frank o. Cole guaranteed to raise $1,000
in one day if Mr.. Davis and DR.. Gordon
would accompany him about the city.
Andrew j. Corcoran suggested that the
press be called upon to assist in the work
of collecting money.
Major Simmons favored Frank o. Coles
policy of making personal appeals. He
suggested that Mr.. Bernstein be added to
the Cole, Davis, Gordon committee.
Such a committee" he said, could
hold up the entire own
1t was finally decided to rely upon the
circulars for the present. If returns are
not made from them some other method
Of raising funds will b. tried. Chairman
Cole said it was the duty of every nenlbe
to contribute to deserving families FROM
his. own pocket, and then charge the ex-
pcnditure to the committee. BY pursuing
that policy instant relief would be fur
nished. DR.. Gordon announced that Ben
jamin Van Beuren of Jersey avenue. and
Mercer street, has contributed 20 bags of
coal to needy people.
The committee will meet again Au-
gust II.
There are now depending upon the
committee for assistance 40 or more
families.