Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-16
THE WORK OF RELIEF
Distributing Supplies to the Distressed
Porto Ricans.
ENOUGH UNTIL MCPHERSON ARRIVES
Secretary Root Writes to the
Commissioners.
LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Secretary Root was very much gratif1ed
today to receive dispatch from Gen. Davis
at San Juan, saying that the supplies now
on hand in the Island of Porto Rico will
be sufficient to relieve the distress and pre-
vent starvation until the Mcpherson ar
rives. This dispatch was in answer to
one sent by Secretary Root, advising Gen.
Davis Of the departure Of the Mcpherson
and asking if there were enough supplies
on hand to relieve immediate wants
Gen. Davis sent the following dispatch:
SAN JUAN. Porto Rico, August 10, 1899.
Adjutant General, Washington:
Dry split peas are very acceptable. Cam
ned peas involve too much transportation
in proportion to nutriment, but can be
used near the seacoast, although there is
much restitution in the interior and deaths
are occurring from lack of food. 1t will
not be possible to reach those points with
packs before next week. for, in many cases,
the roads and trails are so destroyed that
only men on foot can get to and from those
districts
The stores coming on the Mcpherson will
be in time, for l am supplying the most
pressing needs at all accessible points with
stores now on hand. So great is the de-
struction of roads that there is no COM
munication yet with one-third of the island.
The deaths outright will probably reach
two thousand. and many are dying daily
from injuries and privations. The COM
handing officer at each of the twelve posts
is inspector of relief for this district, and
he has been detained in every municipality
collecting data and relieving most pressing
needs. I have furnished each inspector
with similar funds and given authority to
issue food from army supplies. One sol
der has died of injuries; other injured will
recover. great many wagons are over
turned and broken, but all are being re-
paired. Many thousand private cattle and
horses drowned. Larger part of deaths Of
natives from drowning DAVIS.
Philadelphia's Work Of Relief.
The Secretary of War was today notified
that q Porto Rico relief committee was
formally organized at the mayors office
yesterday, under the auspices of the Phil
adelphia citizens permanent relief COM
mittee, and the transfer of 5000 from the
permanent committee to the Porto Rico
committee was Immediately authorized.
Mr.. Moore says the work of relief will now
begin in earnest in Philadelphia. and both
money and food supplies will be forthcom
irg. He said the city might be counted on
for at least one ship load of supplies, and
he requested that a transport be sent there
to receive them.
The War Department has been notified
that the Postal Telegraph Gable Company
and Bermuda Gable Company will handle
free of CHARCOAL government kilograms re-
gardtng Porto Rico storm sufferers. 1t is
understood that the West India and Pan
anna Company will accept such kilograms
at Jamaica on the same terms.
Subscriptions Received.
Subscriptions continue to be received by
the Secretary, as Well as those of which
he has been notified of by telegraph The
check of General Alger for $500 was re-
ceived today. Other contributions are: w.
A. Forde. letter carrier No. 4, Columbia.
S. C., 50: sympathized at Far Rockaway,
n. Y, 81; J. H. Davis, postmaster at An
gelo, Wis, 81. sN
VIII Garry Supplies.
By direction Of Acting Secretary Allen
Of the Navy Department the auxiliary
cruiser Panther, now at. the League Island
navy yard, has been temporarily transfer
red to the War Department for use in the
transportation to Porto Rico of relief sup
plies collected in the cities of Baltimore and
Philadelphia. The vessel will be loaded at
Philadelphia and will proceed direct to
San Juan.
The Local Relief Movement.
The District Commissioners today re-
ceived letter from the Secretary of War
in reply to a communication addressed by
them to that official yesterday, asking If
any arrangements should be made in this
other than money for the Porto Rican
flood sufferers. Secretary Roots reply was
partly as follows:-
Il beg to acknowledge receipt of your let
ter of August 14sA and. to inclose herewith
copy of the cabiegram from General Davis
indicating the character of supplies which
he can make use of in Porto Rico. All
funds for Porto Rfcan relief may be de-
posted with the National Bank Of North
America, New York city, and all supplies
OF food and clothing or material may be
sent to Colonel F.. B. Jones, Army building
foot of Whitehall street. New York city,
with whom 1T is suggested correspond
ence be had relating to shipping directions
etc I am sure that the active interest
that the District Commissioners and the
good citizens of your city are taking In
this matter will be greatly appreciated by
the suffering Porto Ricans."
Secretary Roots letter will have the eff
feet of broadening the relief work inau-
gurated in Washington, when the Commits
sioners made formal appeal to all citizens
of the District. In that appeal subscrip-
tons only were intimated. In Gen Davis
cabegram he stated that the rations pro-
posed to be issued to the destitute people
of the southern island would be made up
of seven ounces of beans, seven ounces of
rice and two ounces Of Goldfish, the pound
of food being for consumption throughout
the entire day. He asked that supplies be
sent in that proportion. Gen. Davis also
described the need of cotton clothing coarse
cotton goods. needles and thread and asked
that rough lumber for building and fencing
hooks slaves and hoops for sugar packing
galvanized iron and nails for roofing pur-
poses be sent as speedily possible Thus
the character of supplies that will best as
Sist the government Is made known and
should govern those contemplating taking
part in the work of relief.
Oner of Teams and Men.
The Commissioners have received a let
ter from springmann's Express Company,
rendering the use of as many teams and
men as the officials deem necessary to make
the collection5dof supplies and for the de-
livery of the, same ito any of the railroad
The CommiJsioners have received nothing
but favorable replies from the various
banks of the city requested to receive funds
for the Porto Ricafis. Upon receiving the
money the banks VIII turn 1t over immedi-
ately to the local treasurer, Mr. Charles ].
Bell, who will. forward the same, as indi-
Gated in Secretary Roots letter.
ENTER Al COMPLAINT.