The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-28
WORK OF RELIEF.
DR.. Devine of the Red Cross Gives an
Outline of Conditions

San Francisco. April 2s.-Dr. Ed
ward L. Devine of New York, repre-
sentative Of the National Red Cross in
the relief work in San Francisco hav-
ing gathered four days experience with
conditions prevailing here, at the re-
quest of the Associated Press, made the
following statement on his observa-
tons.
when I 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 disaster occurred
after I started. All sorts of rum ors
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, comprising the best men in
the community. acting in conjunction
with General Funston and the United
States army. As soon as the character
of the local organiza ton was under
stood President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary Taft recognized that was the
proper channel through which to dis
tribute these large gifts. The task was
to coordinate the official and voluntary
relief, to make it go as far as possibls
to prevent waste and insure if possible
that it would be sufficient If the citi-
zens' committee and the local organiza-
ton of the Red Cross were connected
in the finance committee Of relief and
Red Cross funds. This committee un-
der the Craftsmanship of James D. Phe-
idIls COM T1S6S twenty OF the pest aclI1-
ZeuS OF the community and has entire
charge of the financial end of the work
of relief. Direction has been made to
all to send all funds to the order of
Mr.. Phelan.
1.-The next important step was to ar
range for the systematic reception and
distribution of supplies. Fortunately,
the splendid organization of the United
States army is eminently fitted to core
with this difficulty. Under the sys-
tenn 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 stuff arers.
Officers in charge of the commissary
department attend to the work of DIFF
tribution TO the various relief stations
scattered tnrough the city.
The Red Cross is replying to Ill re-
quests sent us by committees and citi--
zens 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 perfsna5le rood on hand and
that it viii be much more to the puT-
pose If IN the future all contributions
should be IN cash. The finance commit
tee of the relief and the Red Cross funds
has appointed Mr., Allan Pollock aud
myself purchasing agents under The
general direction of the finance commit
tee. While large amount of money
is to be available the needs of San
Francisco are very great and I would
not say wo-d 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 precauti9n
has been taken 60 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 mer-
chant would place upon his expendi-
lures are now in operation. Each dollar
will be accounted for, and so far as hui
man endeavor can prevail it will be
wisely spent' .