The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-05-04
DR.. DEFINES STATEMENT
National Red Cross Representative
Reports on Prevailing Con-
ditiOns in Frisco.
CONTRIBUTIONS SHOULD NOW Be CASH
All Funds Should be Sent to Order of
James ID. Phelan, Chairman Finance
Committee-Abundant Supplies of Per-
ishable Food on Hand-Au Accounts
will be Audited.

ishable Food on Hand-AH Accounts
Will be Audited.
San Francisco, April 29.-Dr. Ed
ward l.. Devine, of New York, repre-
sentative of the National Red Cross
in the relief work in San Francisco,
having gathered four days experience
with conditions prevailing here, Mt
the request of the Associated press has
made the following statement on his
observations:
When | left New York on Thurs
day, the 18th, we knew only that
there had been serious disaster,
but in fact more than half of the dis
aster occurred after | started. All
sorts of rumors reached us en- route
as to loss of life, looting, shooting,
panic and death. We heard little or
nothing of the efficient organization OF
citizens appointed by the mayor COM
prising the best men in the commun-
ity, working in conjunction with Gen.
Funston and the United States army.
AS soon as the character of the local
organization was understood Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Secretary Taft
recognized that it was the proper
channel through which to distribute
coordinate the official and voluntary
relief, to make it go as far as posi-
BILE, to prevent waste and insure If
possible that it would be sufficient If
the citizens committee and the local
organization of the Red Cross were
connected in the finance committee
of relief and Red Cross funds. This
committee, under the chairmansh1S
of James d. Phelan, comprises 20 OF
the best citizens of the community
and has entire charge of the financial
end of the relief work Direction has
been made to all to send all funds to
the order of Mr. Phelan.
1.-THE next important step was to
arrange for the systematic reception
and distribution of supplies. For
tunately, the splendid organization of
the United States army is eminently
fitted to cope with this difficulty. I'm
der the system now in force under
the quartermaster, the army receives,
unloads and transports all the supplies
that are consigned for the relief OF
the sufferers. officers in charge of
the commissary department attend
to the work of distribution to the va
rious relief stations scattered through
the city.
"The Red Cross is replying to all
requests sent us by committees and
citizens in other parts of the country
as to the form contributions should
take. We have many such requests
and we have to report that we have
abundant supplies of perishable food
on hand and that it will be much
more to the purpose if in the future
all contributions should be in cash.
The finance committee of the relief
and Red Cross funds has appointed
Mr.. Allan Pollock and myself pur-
chasing agents under the general dl-
rection of the finance committee.
While a large amount of money is to
be available, the needs of San Fran
cisco are very great and | would not
say a word that would seal the springs
of charity or in any way check the
splendid work that is being done by
the people of the east, north and south
and west. And every precaution has
been taken to protect these funds
from waste. The finance committee
has established an auditing system
in the hands of expert accountants,
and all the checks which the most
careful merchant would place upon
his expenditures are now in operation.
Each dollar will be accounted for,and
SO far as human endeavor can pre-
vail. it will be wisely spent"