Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-12
RELIEF FOR KANSANS
COMMISSIONERS WARE EXPLAINS
HIS ACTION.
Why He Objected to Soliciting Sub
scriptions in His Bureau-Chair-
man Aliens Circular.

There seems to be some misunderstand-
ing about my order disseminating the So
Letting of funds for Kansas flood suffer
ers." said Mr.. Eugen, S. Ware. United
States pension commissioner. today.
Il presume have been criticised for my
action; but feel that I am right. Kansas
is rich state. The banks of Kansas to-
day have more money than they know
what to do with.
II have sent my check for $500 for those
who are in need of help. My letter accom-
panying the check stated most positively
that If more money were needed Il would
duplicate the amount Of my original sub
scription.
1T is perfectly right for Kansans resi-
dent in Washington to assist their fellow
citizens who may be IN distress / feel the
same interest as any one else from Kansas.
Il did object, l do object, to have a sub
scription paper circulated in the bureau
over which l preside 1t might suggest to
any one to whom the paper was presented
that If he or she did not subscribe he or
she would be persona non grata with me-
who they look to as their chief. 1t looks
TOO much like bribery You will see why
L asked to have discontinued the work of
gathering money from the people of my
state who hold positions in my bureau"
Action of Kansans.
| from Kansas who are resident in Washing
ton for his order. 1t is pointed out by those
who object to his order that there was q
n ass meeting of Kansans resident in
Washington last Thursday evening
AT that meeting relief committee was
appointed and circular was sent out over
the signature of B. A. Allen, chairman of
the relief committee. The circular that Is
III the hanos or persons designated at that
meeting to act as custodians of funds is as
WASHINGTON, D. c., June s. 1903.
Dear Brother Kansan:
At a mass meeting of Kansans resident
In this city, held Thursday evening, June
A. 1903. you were appointed and authorized
to solicit funds in your department. or bu-
reau. for the aid of the flood sufferers of
our state.
1.-The governor of the state has issued
an appeal for aid for these sufferers, and
1t is In response to this appeal that Kan
sans In this city are asked to subscribe.
1t is the intention to confine this solicita-
ton for aid to people residing here who
claim Kansas as their home. but volunteer
contributions from others will be gladly
received.
Kindly circulate the inclosed petition
among the kanSanS in your department,
and make return of the amount collected
together with the subscription list, not later
than the 18th instant to First Assistant
Secretary of the Interior Thomas Ryan, at
the Interior Department, who has been
chosen as general treasurer for funds con-
trfbuted In Washington. to be by him for
warded to Governor Bailey for apportion-
ment among the flooded districts.
"B. A. ALLEN,
Chairman Kansas Relief Committee"
A man from Kansas, who holds a po-
sition in the Interior Department. said
this afternoon that while not wishing to
criticse Mr.. Ware. he did not hesitate to
say that the pension commissioner had
overstepped the bounds of propriety and
that the action of the mass meeting of
Kansans ought to have much weight
as any private or personal action Of the
pension commissioner.