The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-01

Nearly a score of applicants for aid
have already been made to the officers
of the Soldiers Relief association. The
work of investigating them promises
to be SO laborious that the employing
of an agent will be proposed at the
regular meeting tomorrow afternoon.
Hon John II. Farr, II. II. Dale and
the secretary at present constitute the
relief committee. Mr.. Farr has been
out of the city several days and the
business demands upon the time of the
other two members have been such
that the relief work has been at
standstil. Under the most favorable
circumstances it is not believed that
the committee would he able to per-
sOnally attend to the Investigations.
For this reason. the permanent en-
poyment of an agent has been pro-
posed.
1t has been suggested that the agent
be man of Christian character emf
nently reliable and thoroughly aC-
quainted with charitable work. Whether
he should work under the immediate
direction of the relief committee or the
officers or both has not been decided
upon.
I'VE are just beginning to appreci-
ate the magnitude of our undertake
ing" said a member of the general
committee to a Tribune reporter yes
terday. "Applications for relief will
give us much to do and we will have
to see to the welfare of many wives,
mothers and sisters whose pride will
prevent them from seeking us. 1t
would be easier too. if every appli-
| cant could receive a sum of money or
an order for provisions on demand, but
we alone can be the judges of what is
needed and it will take time, trouble
and money to do it.
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES.
"The committee feels that it must
conform strictly to business principles
| in handling the money of its patrons.
| our position is one of trust and we
| are obligated to the givers as well as
| to the applicants in seeing that the
means at our disposal are we'll APP
| piled.
lone part of our work that may be
| attended with the greatest of difficult
| ties is that with the members of the
regiment. 1t would be easy now 10
| send supplies-prOvisions delicaCies for
| the sick, undcrClOthes, etC.--tO the front
| but circumstances may be different
| later.
IF the regiment finally goes to Cuba
| Porto Rico Key West or other points
| accessible only by water and long
| distance away, we will have our own
! troubles in sending goods to the front
| The government would be put to great
| stress to forward it's own supplies and
| in anticipation of such a contingency
! our prospective alliance with the Ma
! tional Relief association and the Red
! Cross society should be speedily made
! ! think | am correct in saying that this
| view is shared by the rest of the com.
mittee. In the event of an epidemic
| among the soldiers this alliance with
the national organizations, which are
already recognized by the government
| would be imperative.
1T is probable that some steps will
be taken at our meeting on Thursday
to encourage the preliminary organ.
| ization of Woman's auxiliary. The
| work for it to do can be suggested as
the needs Of the regiment are made
known. We have received severa
offers from ladies who are willing t
| organize such a body but it is probable
that the committee will solicit the aiC
of several prominent Scranton womer
and leave in their hands the task O
| perfecting an auxiliary to be composed
of representative women in all part.
of the city"
The statement of the relief fund t.
date was announced as follows latt
| yesterday afternoon:
Previously acknowledged .,,.......,Sl, i2l
G. l.. Frey Observation-Disclosures. II
Y. g. Melvin, proprietor St. Charles
hotel 81 per month for one year. ----
|
lOtal ''''''''',.''...'.,.,'.,, 81, ID
MATRON PROPOSITION.
From Charlotte Smith, of Washing
ton, president of the Woman's Patri
otic Industrial Relief league the com
mittee yesterday received a letter ask
ing that money be furnished for tn
employment, transportation and main
tenanCe Of a matron to accompany tn