Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-28
WORK OF THE RED CROSS
STATEMENT OF THE VALIANT
SERVICES RENDERED.

SAN FRANCISCO. April sc. Edward
Devine of New York, representative of the
NatioDal Red Cross in the relief work in
San Francisco. having gathered four days
experience with conditions prevailing here
at the request OF the Associated Press made
the following statement on his observa-
tions:
When left New York on Thursday, the
18th. we knew only that there had been
Fl serious disaster, but. In fact more than
half of the disaster occurred after / start
ed. 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 ap-
pointed by the mayor, comprising the best
men in the community. acting In conjunc-
ton with Gen. Funston and the United
States army. -AS soon as the character or
the local organization was understood
President Roosevelt and Secretary Taft
recognized that II was the proper channel
through which to distribute these large
gifts.
THE task was 10 coordinate the official
ami voluntary relief to make il go as far
as possible, TO prevent waste, and insure IL
possible, that II would be sufficient IL the
citizens committee and the local organi-
zstion OF the Red Cross We're connected In
the finance committee OF relief and Red
Cross funds. This committee. under the
chairmanship of James ID. Phelan, COM
prises twenty of the best citizens OF the
community and has entire charge of the
financial end of the work OF relief. Direc-
ton has been made to all to send all funds
TO the order OF Mr.. Phelan.
THE next important step was to arrange
for the systematic reception and distrfbu-
ton OF supplies. Fortunately, the splendid
organization OF the L. s. army is eminently
htted TO cope with this difficulty. Under
the system now In force under the quarter
master the army receives. unloads and
transports all the supplies that are con-
signed for the relief OF the sufferers.
'Oficers in charge OF the commissary de-
partment attend to the work of distrfbut-
ing to the various relief stations scattered
through the city. he Red Cross is replying
to all requests sent US by committees In
other parts OF the country 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 1t will be much more
TO the purpose II In the future all con-
tributions should be in cash. The finance
committee of the relief and the Red Cross
funds has appointed Mr.. Allan Pollock and
myself purchasing agents under the general
direction of the finance committee
while large amount OF money is 10
be available. the needs of San Francisco
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 pre-
caution 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