The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-16
RELIEF FOR Porto RICO.
Suggestions of Eminent Natives or Recent
Residents of the Island.

Suggestions of Eminent Natives or Recent
Residents of the Island.
To THE EDITOR OF The sUN-Sir: The ur-
dersigned are natives Of Porto Rico or recent
residents there. and hence are familiar with
it's characteristics AMI people. The prompt
and generous response Of the citizens of the
United States to the appeal to their sympathy
for succor made by the recent calamity which
has befallen the island permits them to be-
lieve that intelligent suggestions 'as to the
pressing needs OF the sufferers and as to the
avenues through which contributions may
most effectively be distributed. will be well
come.
They venture therefore to suggest:
That the prime necessity is food-chieiv OF
the character indicated by the published des-
patches OF Gen. Davis. commanding the De-
partment:
That light clothing-including underwear
Is almost equally needed:
That materials for the con struction OF shelter
thousingl are the next most important requi-
sites; and
That medicines and hospital supplies are and
will increasingly be in demand.
Contributions by dealers or others OF staple
articles Of food. such as -four. corn meal. oat-
peas, dried salt fish. canned goods, onions.
dried meats. potatoes. salt. etc; Will both In
crease materially the 1OOu-Sunply ana permit
the larger use OF money gifts in the PURCHASE
ture.. etc. 10 this food-list, candles, soap.
ware wi be vaiua Die additions;
Contributions. by individuals. dealers, or
underwent. shoes. stockings. hats, etc. for
both old and young. and in any quantity-eyen
TnF need and
supplies that must be bought Towels, Cotton
nln nAlin hlf fnnE nj la afn
may be help,uiy added to the clothing list ''.''
Contributions OF lumber shingles. tarred;
house hardware viii Increase the supply Of
articles OF this class. which must IN any event.
e9 una
the immediate establishment. in each com
munity. at summer resorts. etc.. of some
and forward to central relief headquarters
contributions Of money, food supplies as men
ns HHa EaS 4 bu HH
materials. cotton Iauck. tents. kitchen utensils
great
easily and speedily can be Iuet rs we'll as the
difficulties attending the transportation Of
Il" In view oi the fact that the small and much.
scattered military force at present in the Island
will have enough TO do for sometime to recon-
struct and repair the military camps. barracks.
besides being charged with the distribution OF
the large amounts Of food supplles provided
by the government, the undersigned do not
think 1t wise to further burden the military
authorities with the distribution OF the sup
plies contributed by the public in the United
States. 1t certainly cannot be wise, TO foster
Oh the part Of the poorer native population the
| idea and habit OF ready appeal to. and depend
ence upon. Government agencies for support
viii 10 II seems emtnently proper that represen-
tatives OF tho donSrs and OF the beneffcaries
should Jointly organize and conduct the extern
| sive relief means and measures, building
arrangements etc. sure to be necessary.
There IL no good reason why army officers
| should be additionally taxed with this very
| considerable duty while IMPARTIAL. systematic
intelligent. speedy and efficient adj mi tration
| with fixed and definite responsibility. would be-
| apparently. fully secured by such Joint ndminis-
| trution rs is above suggested.
The creation OF one or more Relief Commit
| tees. composed ~ reliable Porto Ricans and
| representatives OF the donors in the States. to
| be designated by the General commanding the
| department OF Porto Rico on the one hand ard
| hp the President-frOm nominations made to
him by tho Relief Organizations in the United
| States-on the other Is confidently suggested
as likely TO secure the best and most satisfactory
| results to all concerned. This Is believed es-
pecially probable in view OF the fact that there
| are in this island two distinct classes Of the
are OF the lower class who will readily apply for
relief and those who having hitherto enIoyed
means will from false pride. rather suffer and
die than make their necessities known. These
people cannot. OF course. be permitted to perish
and must be sought out and succored-a
patient slow and systematic work not 10 be
rightly expected OF. and hardly possible 70, an
overWorked army officer.
/ The present Chief Surgeon Of the Depart