New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-20
CENTRAL RELIEF PLAN.
SECRETARY ROOTS IDEA FOR AIDING
DESTITUTE PORTO RICANs.
LOCAL BRANCHES TO REPORT TO ihi'
HEAp-wEIL KNOWN MEN ON THE
LIsT-GENERAL DAVIS CON-

FIRMS REPORTS.

wosbinrton Aug 19.-Secretary or wal NV
,,,aaa nublic tonight a plan for systeina'icai''
,aL,nr care Of the supplies contributed TOT .ne
rsue, NJ the destitute Porto Rcans IL pio''u.'
Gov a central committee of representative Wv.
,srs NJ the country. to which all local co'''''
&C., ora ~ report. This committee Is 10 nave
haroa or distributing supplies. when Is u NC
80. IN q manner TO secure the best possioie re-
suits. coorstarv
~. a. eocb NJ the men named on the coih-
mittee: ,,,or,nent
Washington, August ~. 1893;
A., 1,oar Cir. The generous response OF tie
Ar,er,can neople to the call for rehei TOT 'ii
neople of Porto Rico. involving the coieo .
food and suppes OF different KINDS unuer Hiai ~
different committees In olleIens onpaau,bat svs-
country makes it necessary TO some" lIa1 80, - 7
tametize the work of relief. with thls III VIC"
have determined to request tpe loho~lne epaIief
men TO act as q Central Porto hlCdh ,oooi
Committee TO which | shall request an 10
Committees 10 report and which may pei ioi -, III
the very necessary duty or co-oruiiia''he
procurement and furnishing OF suppheS - 20
trating the money furnished IN on ~ en- snnnIes
regulating its expenditure so that the ! IN
+,Tnished NAV conform to the Requirements IA
character and quantity. and confusion anu ~
of effort be avoided VIZ c.ro,or,, ne the
Interior. ~ ,I,r, formerly
Military Governor of Porto Rico =, -
The Right Rev. James II. Blenk, - o. w The
Bishop OF Porto hlCo' III"
United States .,so,. y, tho Ma
tional Bank Of North America 49,. Nor
William L. Corwine secretary Oh 'ho -
chants. Association of NewYork City.
The Mayor of Boston. or such representative
nc ne NAV choose TO designate.
The Mayor of New-York. or such represeh'"
OH n
The Mayor of Philadelphia. or such repre-
sentative as he may choose 10 designate
The Mayor Of Baltimore. or such representa-
tive as he may choose TO designate go
The work Of distribution in Porto Klco WIN
continue under the direction OF General DAVIS
who is devoting himself TO the work with al,
mjrable Judgment and sympathy. Inc actudl
TRANSPORTATION Of supplies will continue unoer
the direction Of the Quartermasters Depart
ment Of the Army which will furnish or pro
cure all the vessels required. Between tnese
agents of distribution and transportation and
the great number Of local committees none OF
which knows what the others are doing, the
new Central Committee is expected TO stano. .,I IL
is not anticipated that beyond forming the orig
inal organization great time and labor VIII be
required from the membe<s OF the committee
the work being in the main OF character 10 De
transacted by a secretary and clerical 1orce'
with the possible assistance OF small Execu-
tive Committee.
sincerely hope that you will be able to rem
der this service of benefcence. and Will accept
the appointment Very respectfully,
ELIHU ROOT Secretary of war.
Secretary Root also made public the following
dispatch from General Davis. at San Juan.
Porto Rico. under date Of August 49,
/ suggest that all relief committees in states
report to central committee appointed by you,
and all funds collected deposited in New YORK
or Washington to It's credit. funds to be used at
present for purchase Of food clothing, medicines,
etc At least 1850 tons of food should be
shipped weekly until further notice. Have now
fairly full reports from whole island. Cannot
reduce previous estimate of one hundred thou
sand to be fed or assisted. Am starting public
works az rapidly possible, and hope soon 10
get large numbers on self-sustaining basis. If
local committees act without concert, duplica-
ton and waste would be sure to result. There
FORE suggest central committee TO regulate this,
and would give assurance TO contributors that
donations will be wisely handled. Send all
clothing and medicines offered pa Fully one-half
beans and rice should he shipped In sacks weigh
ing one hundred pounds a sack for II must get
to the interior on pack animals. The sacking
material will be useful for clothing.