The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-02
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sssfxofo~, May Z aeore'sry ~ War
Taft has seot q ipna telegram W James
n phslan, chairman ~ ihe relief COMMITTEES
~ san Franciseo, espiainina asaln iies hoo
and why the "a m. Nn appropriated by
Congress was expended nv the waf Depart
men, Tbs authofitira In nan Frencieon
appeaT 70 have an eScredinely uncertain
idea NJ jua what has happened N tina,
s~ppropriaslon ascrrtary Taft's telegram
n Mr phsian IL ~ follows
'You and your COMMITTEES evidently
mlaoonstr ne the naiure and legal limit
conditions NJ Congressional aid ard N not
understand the facts. Instantly on rnc-ip,
Of Cen. Funaton's telegram NJ the extsns
of the disaster and the pressing need NJ
food and shelter for morn than lOolnoo
people. although waA without lawful
authority 10 do ~, ! had sent San 2 francisco
rationa costing 500. moo. tentage, blankets,
cots and bedding costing mora than N,DuO.-
600, and medical stores costing $50 900, To
he used and distributed for the relief Of
sufferers. The transportation ~ these
supplies cost more than $50 900.
II made this order anticipating that Con-
greas would ratify my action. Congress did
go. by joint resolution authorizing me 10
furnish for tho relief Of the sufferers sub
s~iptence. a~uartermaster's and medical stores
for relief Of the sufferers. and appropriated
ti,oo0.OOO for these purposes to he used in
my discretion,
that expenses had already been incurred
for these purposes aggregatlng $4,000
and recommended the appropriation OF
81, 500, GOO more. or 81, 50o.O 900 in all. Congress
thereupon increased the appropriation to
g, SOC. 900. and authorized me TO Use this
amount, not only for subsistence quarter
masters and medical stores. but also Tor
- 81 trnAra
sOn the recommendation Of Gen. Greedy
and Mayor Schmitz. ! ordered 1850 moro
troops to San Francisco which. with pre-
vious transportation for same purpose.
involved an expense Of s250y000.
There IL left avai lin BILE Of the approp ri-
alton, therefore, about 500 900, which.
under the law. can only be expended for
rations, ulartermasrer's and medical sup
plies and ira nsportation oftroops, nd which
can only be expended through the Ia wful
agents OF the War pepa tment to-w1t' The
bonded officers Of the 81 subsistence, quarter
ma ster's and medical bureaus under my
directions.
II have no power or legll authority to
turn over the money appropriated by Con.
gress to your committee to be expended
BY you or to expend II for any but the spe-
oifc purposes stated in the Congressional
resolutions. II you think that the supply
rationE or quartermas ters stores or medl-
cal supplies ought to be increased. shall
be glad to direct the forwarding Of them to
the proper army officers in San Francisco
for distribution, but ] cannot order the
payment OF money out OF the Treasury Of
the United States to your committee for
any purpose
as to the amounts to be expended for the
specific purposes mentioneu IN the Con-
gressional resolutions. and is thus limited
By law. As president Of the Red Cross
Association, I have already directed the
remittance TO you by telegram of $500 900
out of the funds OF that society, and am
prepared to order the remittance of more
as you shall need It. .
at will aid us in taking proper action II
you will advise me of the amount Of money
poses for which you need more. | infer
from your kilograms that you now ha v on
hand food supplies, &c, blankets and
clothing enough for present needs,
WILLIAM II. TAFT,
SECRETARY Of War and President of Red
Secretary Taft sent the despatch In re-
Spouse to one from Mr.. Phelan. which
said: AS the funds appropriated by the
Government are TO be dishursed under
your direction, the Information having
come to us directly from the President,
we would respectfully request that you
inform us to what extent, j any. the finance
which now has consolidated all&funds,
may expect to handle the Government
appropriation. We seek a concentration
OF funds and work for obvious rea sons
and would be glad to serve you in this or
any other capacity. DR.. Devine will keep
YOU advised OF our work. We now need
money and not supplies.
JAMES D. PHFlAE,
Chairman Finance Committee of the Re-
lief and Red Cross Funds