The Topeka state journal., 1903-06-30
Grain Dealers Gather InfOrma-
tion of Stricken Districts.
WILL STOP IMPOSITION
Various Committees Will Arrive
at an Understanding.
Only 200 or 800 People Depen-
dent in Topeka.

to be held probably Wednesday at the
Commercial club rooms to hit upon
plan of cooperation for a larger scheme
Of relief work than has yet been under-
taken. What ultimate form this cooper
alton shall take is uncertain. 1t is not
now contemplated that any general or
ganization shall be effected. Simply. the
different relief committees of Topeka
and elsewhere desire to establish an un-
derstanding among themselves for the
object of shutting off impositions and to
secure a more perfect comprehension Of
the needs of the various flooded locali-
ties in Kansas and a competent distci
button of relief among them. Coupled
with thisis a plan that goes further than
relieving distress. namely to advance
means to rebuild. etc.
At the bottom of this movement is
the Kansas Grain Dealers association.
which has already received and expecd-
ed several thousands of dollars for re-
lief work. During the past week repre-
sentatives of the association have Sc
cured the attendance of representatives
of fraternal relief organizations and the
city charities association at informal
gatherings the object of which has been
to properly size up the Kansas sitIa-
ton. AT these meetings a. H Bennett
of the Bennett Commission company,
Captain H NJ. Philips and other persons
who have been engaged in local relief
work have taken part in the meetings
Much of the information which mas Led
to the determination TO establish the
general plan of cooperation has been
furnished through the Grain Dealers
association which has gone TO consider
able length already in securing infor-
nation about the extent of flood deVas-
tation in the farming localities over the
length of the KaW valley.
A H Bennett. who is intimately ac-
quainted with the Investigations Of the
Grain Dealers association, said this
morning:
From the reports and our personal
observations the people who have at
tended these meetings during the past
week have come to the conclusion that
there is more work to be done in every
flooded locality if the people are to be
placed on a self supporting basis The
time for temporary relief is over but
there remain many people Who unless
they are given help towards housing
themselves, will be on the hands of the
city or county this winter. In many
cases $500 VIII do more good right
now, several times over, than it would
when cold weather arrives. II we can
get these people started now they will
be able to prepare themselves for
winter.
"One of the primary purposes Of our
meetings. has been to talk over cases
e-@-AAA@
upon the different relief committees. /
recall one case where one man secured
$50 from one organization $40 from the
grain dealers and $23 from somewhere
amount of money to do this work Con-
tributions are being made from various
sources yet. In most cases the donors
have some particular locality or person
to which they wish their money to 60
The plan to issue a general call for re-
lief from Kansas people IS to be signed
by every committee engaged in relief
work in the state. Donors Will be ask
ed to place their money with whatever
committee they desire, but the necessity
of giving will continue to be held be-
fore them. Kansas is able to take care
of her own if the matter is properly
handled"
1t is apparent from the accounts Of
the people in the kaW valley who have
personally investigated conditions that
there is a field for a valuable and i'm
portant charitable work. The persons
who have endorsed the calling of
meeting of all the charitable relief
workers of the state desire to enlist the
cooperation of city and county author
tiles wherever such work as theirs
needs to be done.
Upon the return Of President J. z.
Frost Of the Commercial club from 4
trip out of town he will call together
the executive board of the club in spe-
ciaI session. With this board the relief
workers will confer upon their general
plan of cooperation It is proposed
that a that meeting some effort will
be put forth to enlist the assistance of
the commissioners of the various coun-
ties in which relief work is needed. The
law passed by the special session of The
legislature authorizing county commits
sioners TO eXpend money for the relic
of persons suffering in times of ex tra-
ordinary public disaster, and to levy a
special tax for such work if necessary
will enable the commissioners of this
to the special relief work contemplated.
This certain source of aid has not been
seriously considered in any of the IN
formal meetings Of the past week.
These meetings. for the most part
have been held in the Office of the Rev
o. S. Morrow, secretary of the City
Charities association. In regard to his
personal part in them Mr. Morrow
stated this morning.
While I have been more and more. in
sympathy with the relief work contem-
plated, as 1 have come to understand
its purpose and become acquainted with
conditions outside of Topeka. I have
not taken an active part in the meet
ings further than to give q report of re
lief work in Topeka and Shawnee coun-
ty with the extent Of which [ have taken
some pains to acquaint myself. The
work of the CITY Charities assOcia fi0u
helping the most destitute cases and is
almost finished It comprises only an
insignificant part of the general work
that has been conducted in this county
and is well in hand. Nothing has yet
been done toward extending permanent
aid to people in North Topeka or in the
farming country of Shawnee. That it
viii be advisable and necessary to begin
such work while people are in the mood
to give I am thoroughly convinced"
The report of the local relief work
conducted by the numerous organiza-
tions with headquarters in Topeka and
extending not only to the people of
North Topeka. but to perhaps 1000 peo-
pie south of the river in Topeka and to
Rossville. Silver Lake. Menoken to all
the farming communities where fugi-
tives from the flood were sheltered. GOV
ers the entire work in Shawnee county
It is brief but views the relief work
with a more general eye than has been