The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-20
PORTO RICO RELIEF WORK.
sHCRETART ROOF APPOINTS a GEN.
TRIAL COMMITTEE TO SUPERVISE IT.

-
Governor General Davis Advises Such Act
ion and tho Secretary Acts Mt once
Cornelius Bliss Heads It-Need of Hnr-
moDy in Distributing tho supplies.
WARRINGTON. Aug. 1o.-The Secretary OF
War to-day appointed a Central Porto Rican
Relief Committee" to take general charge Of
the work OF relieving the suffering Porto
Ricans. and to which all local committees can
report. This action was taken at the sugges-
ton OF Gen. Davis. Governor General of Porto
Rico. who sent the following cable message to
the War Department this morning:
''SAN JUAN. Porto Rico. Aug. IL. 1919.
Secretary OF War. Washington: IsucEest
that all relief committees In States report to
central committee appointed by you, and all
funds collected deposited In New York or Wash
ington to its credit. funds to DO used at present
for purchase Of food. clothing. medicines. 10.
At least l 900 tons OF food should be shipped
weekly until further notice. Have now fairly
full reports from whole island. Cannot reduce
previous estimate OF 100000 to he fed or as
sisted Am starting public works as rapidly as
possible and hope soon to get large numbers
on scf-sustaining basis. II local committees
act without concert duplication and waste
would be sure to result. Therefore suggest CEN
trail committee to regulate this. and would
give assurance to contributors that donations
will be wisely handled. Send all clothing and
medicines offered. Fully one half beans and
rice should DO shipped in sacks weighing one
hundred pounds per sack. for It must get to
the interior on pack animals. The sacking
material will be useful for clothing.
DAVIS"
In compliance with Gen. Davis's sue-
gestion Secretary Root selected the members
OF the com nlittee and sent to each of them q
copy OF this letter:
WAR DEPARTMENT. WASHINGTON. Aug.1o. 20
MY Dear Sir:-The generous response OF tho
American people to tho call OF relief for the
people OF Porto Rico involving the collection OF
food and supplies Of different kinds under
many different committees In different parts OF
the country. makes it necessary to somewhat
systematic the work Of relief. With this In view
l have determined to request tho following
gentlemen to act as Central Porto Rican
Relief Committee to whom shall request all
loo 81 committees to report. and which ma
perform the very necessary duty Of co-ordina-
ting the procurement and furnishing OF sup
plies. concentrating the money furnished in
one fund.- and regulating its expenditure so
the supplies furnished may conform to the
requirements in character and quantity. and
confusion and waste OF effort he avoided. viz:
Hon. Cornelius N. Bliss. formerly Secretary
OF the Interior: Brigade General Guy v.
Henry. formerly Military Governor q Porto
Rico; the Rt Rev James H. Blenk. SIM DID,,
Bishop OF Porto Rico now sojourning In the
United States; Hon. Warner Van Norden.
president OF the National Bank OF North
America; Mr.. William l.. Borwine. secretary Of
the Merchants Az sociation OF New York city ;the
Mayor OF Boston. or such representative as he
may choose to desgnate:the Mayor OF New
York. or such representative as he may choose
to designate; the Mayor OF Philadelphia OF
such representative as he may choose to desig-
nate: tho Mayor OF Baltimore. or such repre-
sentative as he may choose to designate.
THE work OF distribution In Porto Rico will
continue under the direction OF Military Gov
ernor General Davis. who Is devoting himself
to the work with admirable judgment and
sympathy. The actual transportation OF sup
plies will continue under the direction OF the
Quartermasters department OF the army.
which will furnish or procure all the vessels re-
quired.
Between these agents Of distribution and
transportation on the one hand and the great
number OF local committees. none Of which
knows what the others are doing on the other
hand. tho new Central Com mittse Is expected
to stand. 1t is not anticipated that beyond
forming the original organization very great
time and labor will be required OF tho mem
bers OF the committee. the work being In the
main of a character to be transacted by SEQ
rotary and clerical force. with the possible as
sistance OF a small executive committee.
Il sincerely hope that you will be able to rem
der this service OF benefcence. and will accept
the appointment Worry respectfully.
"ELIHu Roof. Secretary OF War"