The times., 1899-07-14
WORK OF RELIEF begun
Washington Takes the Lead for
Systematic Giving.
At "a Largely Attended Mass Meeting
i'm Masonic Temple a Committee
Is Appointed TO Take Charge OF Ii
Money, Clothing, aad Seed Needed
Neutrality-suspicious. AiG

Washington took the lead over other
American cities last night by inaugurating
q systematic plan for the relief of the
Texas food sufferers. A mass meeting was
held for the purpose of awakening interest
in the noble philanthropic work. The Ma
tional Capital was chosen as the place OF
the initial meeting because the residents
OF the city have always contributed gen.
erously toward every worthy cause. 1t is
the intention to have a series of similar
meetings in other large cities, Representa-
tive Hawley of Texas having gone north
for that purpose yesterday afternoon after
having been assured of the success of the
local meeting.
Masonic Hall, at the corner of Ninth and
F Streets northwest, which had been gen.
erously offered by the Masonic Association
of the District for the purpose. was the
scene Of the gathering. large number of
persons was present, including several
Government officials and representatives
from almost every Government depart
ment. in addition to delegates from labor,
relief, and charitable associations. Inas-
much as the call for the meeting was made
through the press by the District Com
missioners. the President of the Board.
John b. Wight. called the assemblage to
order After explaining the object Of the
meeting. he asked that a permanent chair
man and secretary be chosen. H Clay
Evans, Commissioner of Pensions was
unanimously selected to serve as chair
man Of the meeting. and Capt. W. S. Scott,
nf fb @r
Mr.. Evans, in taking the chair, said he
was glad to take a part in the relief move
Inent. and recalled the meeting which y as
held in Washington ten years ago for the
purpose OF securing relief for the Johns
town sufferers. That" he said, was ter
rible. but 1t was small in comparison with
the calamity which has befallen the State
of Texas. That was a local flood. This
one covers many thousands OF miles of
territory. and thousands of persons are in
distress. Many of those affected by the
food are persons who went to the great
West with small fortunes to make homes
for themselves. Lives have been lost by
the hundred and crops destroyed for miles
around. What We do we must do
quickly. II is time for action and not
for words The people are in distress. and
they must be helped Immediately, il at all,
and helped they must be-
A telegram was read from S. L. Hadford,
Chairman of the committee on distribution
at Houston. He was appointed by Gov
ernor Sayers. of Texas, and the message
-ead last night was in reply to a query
sent from Washington asking what migat
be done by the people Of this city. 1t read
Is follows:
Wire 10 Ferguson referred to my committee at
:sovernor ssyers' request. My committee dis
tributes from Houston 10 Washington, Grimes.
Walker, Fort Bend. and Brzzosis counties Get
all the money possible. Conditions terrible. Ten
Thousand people in my district 10 be fed. Funds
low.
The Rev. Mr.. Taliaferro, an eloquent col
ored preacher from Texas. spoke next, say
ing that he was born In Texas and knew
the people and their conditions thoroughly.
He said they were the best in the world.
He said the negroes along the Brazos are
industrious and that the white residents
of that portion of the State are persons
who gave thousands of persons work.
They are the men," he said. who have
spent their lives enhancing the value Of
property in the State. IL is the rsD
have lost as well as the poor.
that the great and generous b
Washington viii prompt il TO do son
toward relieving some OF the suffer
know the city will do its share. iii
not be worthless, shiftless people tn r..
be aided. The colored ministerial a.
tion VIII hold a meeting next week fot
purpose of securing relief contribuu
from the colored people Of Washing -ar.
Miss Strong, the secretary of Repi seu-
taiive Hawley. said that the Depar
of Agriculture yesterday afternoon
patched f. S. Holmes, one OF its
ticians. TO the flooded region with ins
tions 10 make observations and asee s.u
khe amount Of damage accomplished. Sha