The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-09-12
100000 MUST HAVE FOOD
Porto Ricans Dependent on Our Aid
Till New Crops Ripen.
Secretary Root Requests the Governors OF
States to Work with a Central Com
mittee Headed by Cornelius
Biiss-Dayis' Report.

New York. Sept. 1.-THE Porto Rican
! relief committee of the Merchants As
sociation has received an acknowledge
ment from Gen. George w. Davis, COVER
nor general of the Island of Porto Rico.
o. the goods shipped by the committee
on the transport Mcclellan, which lett
here or the sd of August. Gen. Davis.
after thanking the committee for the
supplies sent, says:
"The fruit and most of the food crops
of the island are totally destroyed. Upon
these, as you well know, the people sub
sist. living from hand TO mouth, and
without these there is nothing intrinsic
in Porto Rico, nor any food reserve upon
which they can live until a new crop is
produced. Neither have they the means
of purchasing food, even were il here in
abundance.
Il believe that the great problem to be
solved is more question of food than
anything else. and to supply this every
effort should he made. The human ami
NAL can live here with very little cloth
ing and shelter. but without food there
can be only one result.
IF my conclusions as to the extent of
the destruction of food supplies be cor
rect the stress of hunger will he an in
weeks. and we must prepare to feed not
less than a quarter of a million people
before the earth can bring forth fresh
supplies. What this means is shown
by single mathematical demonstration
summed up in the question: At the rate
of one pound of food per day per person,
how many pounds of food would it take
to feed 250,0VO persons ll9 days?
I'VE might go farther in our calcula-
tion by considering the cost OF this food
and of distributing it, for even though
all the military resources of the island
are bling used in distribution, neverthe-
less the expense of getting food to the
hungry will be approximately about 8
per cent. OF the cost of the food. This
cost cannot be much less than d million
and half dollars, even if the diet be as
proposed, rice. beans, and Goldfish or bacon.
Can we get that sum? And if We can, will
your committee be able to prevent it go
ing into anything but the cheapest kind
of good food?
II have gone somewhat extensively into
this matter so that you may have a thor
ough understanding of the situation and
thereby be the better able TO help US out
of our difficulties"
Secretary Root yesterday addressed the
following to the governors OF all the
States
Dear Sir: On the request of Gen. Da-
Wis who Is in charge OF the relief work
in Porto Rico, a central Porto Rican re-
lief committee has been constituted for
the purpose OF securing method and a
common understanding among the various
committees engaged In the collection OF
money and supplies for the work OF re-
lief. and preventing confusion and a
waste of effort.
"The committee Is composed as follows:
Hon. Cornelius y. Bliss, formerly Sec
rctary of the Interior.
Brig Gen. Guy V Henry, formerly
military governor Of Porto Rico.
THE Right Rev. james "A. Blenk, 8 NJ.
ID. D.. Bishop OF Porto Rico. row sojourn-
ing in the United States.
Hon. Warner V. Norden, president Of
the National Bank OF North America.
Mr. William r. COrwine, secretary Os
the Merchants Association, OF New York
City.
The mayor of Boston
THE mayor Of Ney York
'rhe mayor Of Baltimor%
THE mayor OF philadelphia
''Nr William Il. Corwine Il secretary OF
the COMMITTEE ana his al lress is the
New York Life Building. New York City
Il have the honor TO request that you
will cause the name and address OF the
chairman or secretary Of ans committee
in your State engaged IN this work 10 De
given 10 the secretary Of the central COM
Tnlttee in o-ier that they may conmunl-
cate upon The subject.
'"Th~ urgent necessity OF feeding the
great numbers Of destitute people Ia
Porto Rico SIN continues, and / hsoe sne
efforts Of the people OF your State 10 that
end viii not be relaxed"