The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-05-04
TAFT EXPLAINS TO PHELAN.
No Government Funds Available to t!
Relief Committee.


Washington. ID. c.. May 3.-The follow
ing Geographic correspondence has passed
between Chairman Phelan. at San Fran
cisco. and Secretary Taft, at New Haven,
via Washington:
San Francisco, April so. 1gp6.-Willam III
raft. Secretary of War. Washington: Az
the funds appropriated by the government
are TO be disbursed under your direction,
the having come to US di-
rec-ly from the president. we would re-
Spectfully request that you inform us to
what extent. If any. the finance commit
tee of the relief and Red Cross funds,
winch now has consolidated all funds, may
expect to handle the government appro-
priation. We seek a concentration of
funds and work for obvious reasons and
would DE glad to serve you in this or any
other capacity. DR.. Devine will keep you
advised of our work. We now need money
ana new supplies. James ID. Phelan.
Chairman Finance Committee of the Re
lief and Red Cross Funds.
Secretary Taft's Reply.
washington, ID. c.. May /, l9o6.-James
D. Phelan, Chairman of the Relief Com
ml5tce and Red Cross. San Francisco: You
and Your committee evidently m~isconceive
the mature and legal limitations of the
congressional aid and do not understand
the facts. Instantly on receipt of Gen.
disaster and the pressing need of food and
sheiter Tor more. than 100000 people. al
anough l was without lawful authority to
do so, | ordered sent to San Francisco ra.
tons costing 100000: tentage. blankets
cots and bedding costing more than $1,000
uoo. and medical stores costing $150,00 90. TO
pe use4 ana distributed for the relief of
the sufferers.
h transportation of these supplies cost
more nor, than s13o,0oo. | made this order an
ticipat.ng that ongress would ratify my
action. Congress did SO by joint resolution
authorizing me to furnish subsistence.
quaf!eFrnaster and medical stores for
relief of the sufferers. and appropriated
Sl,G0,CW for these purposes to be used in
nv discretion.
h president then advised congress that
expenses had already been incurred for
lhese purposes a-ggregating $l,5OJ. OGO. and
cmmen the appropriation of 81. &c.,
gVo or $500 in all. Congress thereupon
INCREASED the appropriations TO So, SOC. COO in
all and authorized me to use this amount
not only. for subsistence. quartermastcr's
ana MEDICAL stores. but also the transpor-
tation of troops. On the recommendation
OF General Greedy and Manor SchmitZ
ordered 300 more troops to San Francisco,
Mhlcn. with previous transportation for
S25G, Geo. There is left available of the APP
proprlation. therefore. not to exceed $780,
wv, winch. under the law. can only be eX-
penued for %rations, quartermaster's and
medical supplies and Transportation of
troops. and which can onlv be expended
through the lawful agents of the war de-
partrnent, towit:
The bonded officers Of the subsistence.
qu~3rtermaster's and medical bureaus are
under my direction. have no power or
legal authority to turn over The money an
propriated by congress to your committee
to be eSpended by YOU or 10 expend it for
any but the specific purpose stated in the
eongressional resolutions. Should YOU
mink that the supply of rations or quar-
termaster's stores or medical %supp;ies
ought to be increased ! shall be glad to
direct the purchase and forwarding of
them to the proper army officers In San
Francisco for distribution. but cannot
order the oavment of money out of the
treasury OF the United States to your COM
Imlttee tor any purpose. My discretion is To
be exercised only as to the amounts TO be
expended for the snecific purpose men
toned In the congressional resolutions and
is thus limited by law.
As president of the Red Cross society
] have already directed the remittance to
you by telegram of $4,000 out of the funds
of that society and am prepared to order
the remittance Of more as you shah need
1t. ~
1t will aid us in taking proper action if
YOU Will advise me of the money you have
on hand and in general the purposes for
which you need more.
l infer from YOUR telegram that YOU now
have on hand food supplies. tentase. han.
kets and clothing enough for present
Secretary of War and President of Red
ross ~