The times., 1899-08-20

The Secretary of War yesterday appoint
ed the Central Porto Rican Relief Com
mittee to take general charge of the work
of relieving the suffering Porto Ri ans, and
to which all local COMMITTEES shall report.
This action was taken at the suggestion OF
General Davis, Military Governor o. Porto
Rico who sent the following cablegram to
the War Department yesterday morning:
San Juan Porto Rico. Aug. l9, 1899.
Secretary CT War, Washington;
i suggest that all relief committees in States
report TO central committee appointed by you
and all funds collected deposited IN New York
Washington to its credit, funds to be used at
present for purchase of food clothing medicines,
etc At least 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 be fed
sisted Am starting public works rapidly as
possible, and hope soon TO get large numbers
sef-sustaining basis II local committees act with
out concert duplication and waste would be
sure TO result, therefore suggest central COM
mittee TO regulate this, and would give assurance
10 contributors that donations will be wisely
handled. Send all clothing and medicines offer
ed. Beans and rice should be 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 General Davis sug-
gestion, Secretary Root selected the men,
bers of the committee and sent to each of
them copy of the following letter:
War Department, Washington, Aug. 49, 1890
My Dear Sir: The generous response OF the
American people TO the call for relief for the
people Of Porto Rico, involving the collection of
food and supplies of different kinds under many
fF ftasa rrses ~
country makes it necessary to somewhat system
atize the work Of relief. With this in view |
have determined TO request the following gentle
men TO act as Central Porto Rican Relief
Committee, to which | shall request all local
committees TO report, and which may perform
the very Necessary duty Of co-ordinating the pro-
curement and furnishing of supplies, c0neentrat-
ing the money furnished in fund and resu-
lating its expenditure so that the Supplies fur
nished may conform to the requirements in
character and quantity, and confusion and waste
TO effort be avoided. viz:
Hon. Cornelius y. Bliss, formerly Secretary OF
the Interior.
Brig. Gen. Guy v Henry. formerly Mill
taTy Governor of Porto Rico.
The Right Rev. james II. Blenk S NJ, D.
d., 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. Cor1xine, Secretary of the Mer-
chants Association Of New York City
The mayor of Boston, or such representative
as he may choose to designate.
The mayor of New York, or such representative
as be may choose to designate
The mayor OF PHILADELPHIA or such representa-
tive he may choose TO designate.
The mayer of Baltimore, or such representative
as he may choose 10 designate.
The work Of distribution in Porto Rico viii
continue under the direction uf Military Governor
Davis, who is devoting himself TO the work with
admirable judgment and sympathy The actual
transportation OF supplies will continue under
the direction OF the Qusrtermasters Department
of the Army, which will furnish all the vessels
required. 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 a-e doing, on the other hand,
the central committee is expected to stand.
Il IS not anticipated that beyond forming the
original organization very great time and labor
viii be required Of the members Of the commit
tee, the work being in the main OF character
to be transacted by secretary and clerical
force, with the possible assistance OF small
executive committee.
l sincerely hope that you win be able to rem
der this service OF benefeence, and will accept
the appointment. Very respectfully,
ELIHU ROOT. Secretary OF War.
HEADQUARTERS for the reception of con-
tributions for sufferers of the recent hurri-
cane in Porto Rico have been opened in
the Inter Ocean Building, in Ninth Street,
between and L Streets northwest. The
building will be open every day except
Sunday from 8 a. m. until p. N. Com
missioner Ross has placed in charge of the
work in the building Col. L. P. Wright and
Frederick Evans. who will act as secretary.
Yesterday they were assisted by Mrs
Morris j. Foote, Mrs. Alfred A. Smith, and
Miss Smith. Several other ladies volun-
teered their services. They did valuable
work yesterday in soliciting contributions
throughout the city. The room for the re-
ception of articles donated for the Porto
Ricans was opened only yesterday morn
ing.
The plan of the Commissioners has not
yet been fully made known TO the people
generally of this city Colonel Wright said
yesterday that when citizens were ac-
quainted with the fact there was no doubt
that they would respond with generous
contributions. Articles were secured yes
terday afternoon from Emmon ". Luchs
and Samuel Friedlander & Co. Wearing
apparel adapted for use in a tropical eli
mate is especially desired by Colonel
Wright. The articles should be of cotton
goods Rice, salt meats. Goldfish, beans
and canned goods are also needed. There
is great necessity also for medicines
The committee has 160 feet on the first
floor OF the Inter Ocean Building, which it
is thought viii be sufficient space to carry
on the work. number of large tables
running lengthwise of the storeroom will
be used for handling the goods, which will
be packed into boxes donated by the mer-
chants and shipped TO New York as fast as
they are received. All supplies viii be
under the charge of Colonel Wright, who is
not authorized, however, to receive money.
Contributions in cash will be received by
c. ]. Bell. President of the American Sc
curity and Trust Company, at G and Four
teenth Streets
Assistant Secretary Vanderlip of the
Treasury has telegraphed instructions to
the Collector of Customs Of New Yo. di-
recIing him, if there is no objection. to
allow the expectation in bond to Porto
Rico for the storm sufferers by United
States transports without payment of duty
OF Goldfish now in bond and to arrive at
New York
RELIEF FOR STORM SUFFERERS.