The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-01

whatever is given to them and are glad
to get it, One man who wanted a coat
would not take. any because he could
not have a Prince Albert, but he was
probably an imp0ster who had never
been in the flooded district at all He
probably thought this would be good
chance to get free outfit. Some Of the
women at the Auditorium are of the
opinion that this class of people should
be punished for their greediness, as an
object lesson to others. i simply can
not see" said one woman, how a per-
son can think of such things Al this
time when some people have yet to solve
the problem Of how they are to simply
exist, leaving aside the wearing of good
clothes"
The scene on the interior of the Audi
forum is unlike anything that has ever
been seen there before Never before
has the building been used for such
purpose and it will probably be many
years before such a thing occurs again.
One man spoke yesterday of the con-
trast between the present appearance OF
the interior of the building and that of
several weeks agO during the May Mus
ical Festival AT that time the people
who filed the building were happy,
prosperous and contented The air was
filled with music and the merry chatter
of the thousands who had gathered
there to hear and applaud the great
musicians of the country. Now misery
predOminates, tears take the place of
the ear are the lamentations of those
who have been driven from their home
by the high waters. There is a contin-
ual hum of voices in the building and if
one listens closely he will find that the
people are forever talking of that sub
ject which is uppermost in their minds,
the flood.
Since Saturday noon the people who
were brought from North Topeka to the
Auditorium to be taken care of have
npnn fed at that nl4Rn Cant Z
Philips, who is the chairman of the
Commercial club cOmmissary commit
tee, has been working like a Trojan and
with the help of his assistants has sue
isfy the immediate wants of the ref
ugees- Still more is needed, however.
and all that is brought to the Audi
torium viii be more than welcome.
About the only serious situation that
will have to be contended with in the
Auditorium Will be that of the sanitary
condition of the building EVERYTHING
is being kept as clean as possible, and
all cases of sickness have been trans
ferred to the hospitals as soon as they
were discovered, but some think thar
even these precautions will not prove
to be very effective
A reporter for the State Journal dron-
ped in at the Auditorium last night and
the sight that met his gaze was weird
one. There was said to be about 500
people sleeping in the building at the
t-AAACs OOtiE were asleep on pies OF
clothing In different parts of the build
ing and others were taking their nights
rest in improvised beds that they had
made by pushing two benches together
and spreading the bed clothing that
had been issued to them in between
good many people were sleeping up in
the balcony. No sound could be heard
with the exception of the occasional
wall of a little baby or the football Of
a trained nurse as she went to attend
al,
all was cast the faint glow of several
electric lights that had been left burn
ing.
Although many women have already
offered their services to the Commercial
club relief committee many more are
needed and if there is anyone who wish
es to help with the work they should re-
port at the headquarters, the CONNER
cial club rooms. Their services win De
gladly accepted and they Will be as
signed to some department of the work.
There is much work for them to do.
All those that can sew are requested to
bring their needles and thread and
tn1mbles- Hundreds of pairs Of stock
ings have been brought to the Audi
forum which are in need of mending
and there is much other sewing TO be
done. Those who are unable to sew are
requested to come too as thew can be
sisting those who are looking after the
distribution of the food.
The Auditorium is not the only place.
however where relief work is being
done. The scene at the German Cath
ole church is somewhat similar to that
at the Auditorium. The place is crowd
ed with refugees, most of them beina
Germans and Russians who are mem
bers of that church. This class of peO-
pie can be taken care of better at thar
place than any other, as great ma
lority of them can not speak a word Of
Enslish, Some of them, however, have
n OIL r.1., rT~1,-
women can not understand their Ian
guage and consequently many of them
can not make their wants known
those who can talk German and who
are willing to act as interpreters are
needed badly at the different relief sta
tions- Many refugees are being cared for
at Lincoln Post hall and also at the old
court house. Nearly all of the fraternal
organizations have thrown open their
halls to the flood sufferers as have most
of the churches. George F I.errigo ana
w. w. Mills, of the Commercial club
church committee, report the congrega-
tions Of the different churches to be or
gained and doing good work Bethany
college is also prominent in the relief
work.
The girls of that college sent a barrel
of good shoes to the Auditorium Satur-
day evening in answer to the call for
help. The teachers of the public schools
are also to be complimented on the
good work that is being done by them
W. M. Davidson called a meeting of the
teachers for Saturday evening and with
their help he has succeeded in raising
money that has swelled the relief fund
about $500. The schools have been dis
missed until Thursday and meanwhile
the teachers Will assist in the relief
work All of them that can turn out
are needed badly. At many Of the
lodge halls the only facility for taking
care of the food sufferers that is needed
is assistance
The Commercial club rooms. which
are the headquarters of the relief work
and where all of the different commit
tees report, has been the scene of much
activity for tn last three days. John
r. Frost president of the club. and Ma
ior 7. J. Anderson, secretary, together
with the members of the executive com
mittee have been holding regular ses
siOns at the rooms and ever since the
food came some one has stayed there