New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-15
SUGGESTIONS TO THE GENEROUS.
PORTO RICANs DESCRIBE WHAT is MOST
NEEDED ON THE ISLAND IN
THIS EMERGENCY.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The undersigned are natives OF PORTO RICO o'
recent residents there and are hence idiiiia4 ~
us CHARACTERISTICS and people The prompt ana
go,erous response of the citizens Of the United
states 10 the appeal to their sympathy ana succor
made by the recent calamity which mas pelalen 'ie
island permits them to believe that intelligent sue
eestion will be welcomed by all as TO inc pressing
needs OF the sufferers and as to the avenues
tbrough which contributions may most efecnVeiy
~ dtetributed They venture therefore TO suggest;
That the prime necessity is food--chiehy or the
character indicated by the published dispatches or
General Davis commanding the Department
That light clothing including underwear Is al
most equally needed ,.
That materials for the construction OF sheter
nlousing) are the next most important requisites
That medicines and hospital supplies are anu
will increasingly be, in demand
Contributions by dealers or others or stapic al
tices OF food such -four, cornmeal oatmeal ana
other cereals pilot bread. beans. peas rlce' oi'eu
or salt fish, canned goods onions. dried meats Po-
tatoes salt etc, will both increase materially INC
food supply and permit the larger use OF money
gifts IN the purchase OF building materials COOKING
utensils furniture etc. To this food list candIes'
soap matches coal oil and cheap kitchen ana tapie
ware will be valuable additions.
Contributions by individuals. dealers or others OF
light weight clothing including underwear. SHOES
stockings hats, etc. for both old and young ana
in any ouantity-even a single, partly worn gar
ment-wl greatly help the pressing need ana pre-
vent disease and leave moro money free lot inc
purchase of supplies that must be bought Towels
cotton cloth. calico buttons, sewing materials etc.,
may be helpfully added to the clothing hst'
Contributions of lumber, shingles tarred paper
and other roofing materials nails and house hard
ware will helpfully increase the supply OF articles
Of this class which must, in any event. make
heavy draft upon contributed funds
The undersigned beg especially 10 suggest the IN
n1n noYt N
munty at summer resorts, etc, OF some organiza-
tion systematically to solicit, receive and forward
10 central relief headquarters contributions OF
money, food supplies, as mentioned, new or paiuy
worn clothing, clothing materials OF all hhus'
and building materials. cotton duck, tents, ktchen
utensils etc. Every person may thus help niue
and the great and instant demand most surely
easily and speedily be met. well as the dihicu-
ties attending the transportation OF individual ghts
In view Of the fact that the small and much
scattered military force at present IN the siand OK
Porto Rico-its officers already overworked-wiII
have enough TO do for some time to reconstruct
and repair the military camps. barracks. roads
etc and 10 conduct sanitary measures, besides
being charged with the distribution Of the large
amounts of food supplies provided by the Govern
ment the undersigned do not think 1t wise to FUR
Their burden the military authorities with the ds,
rlQS9n or ne II Certainly cannot be wise to
foster on the part Of the poorer native population
e e aea ap ana dsSs agencies
while IL seems eminently proper that representa-,
ives Of the donors and Of the benenciarles should
/ Jointly organize and conduct the extensive relet
means and measures, bulIolnS arrangements, etC''
sure TO be necessary.
! There ia no good reason why Army officers should
be additionally taxed with this considerable duty
while Impartial systematic intelligent, speedy ana
efficient administration. with hxed and definite re-
/ sponsbility would be. apparently. fully secured by
/ such Joint administration as is above suggested
The creation of one or more renef committees
composed OF reliable Porto Ricans and representa-
of donors IN the states, 10 be designated
by the general commanding the Department OF
Porto Rico on the one hand, and by the President.
from nomina lions made 10 him by the relief organ
zations in the United States, the other Is con-
most satisfactory results TO all concerned. This IS
believed especially probable in view OF the fact
| that there are in the island two distinct classes
of the impoverished 10 be assisted viz. those who
are Of the lower class who will readily apply for
relief and those who, having hitherto enjoyed
means will, from false pride, rather suffer and die
than make their necessities known These people
cannot OF course. be permitted 10 perish and must
| be sought out and succored-a patient, slow and
systematic work not to be rightly expected OF. and
hardly possible TO, an overwOrked Army officer.
The present chief surgeon OF the Department.
loaded with duties and responsibilities beyond any
mans power properly TO discharge, Is now addition
ally taxed with the immense labor and RESPONSE
blity of the relief work OF the island That he cam
rightful desires Of the suffering. Of those who
contribute TO their relief.
/ We trust that these suggestions. based on inti-
mate knowledge Of the benefciaries and their con-
/ dtion. may prove serviceable 10 those taking UP
/ this humane work.
eSRioUH ANY ANY, G Susyalns
PEDRO FRANCiUHI Yasoo
Dr.. GUsTAvES M6RET:, AHA
poncs