The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1911-12-13
AUSTIN FLOOD
FUND REPORT
Governor Shows Where Every
Penny Was Spent
ANSWERS REVEREND CRITIC
Expenditures Far Less Than Sup.
Posed-Books open for lnspec-
tlon-state Pleased With
Rcd Cross.
ANSWERS REVEREND CRITIC

Harrisburg, Pa.-ln reply to a let
ter sent by Rev. G. p. Donehoo of
Coudersport, secretary OF the Austin
Relief association to Governor Tener
expressing doubt as to the integrity
OF the committee handling the Austin
Mood relief fund the governor has
made public summary of the re-
1orts of the heads OF the departments
OF the state government who partic-
ipated in the organization and conduct
OF the relief and sanitary measures
following the disaster of Sept. 30.
The financial statement shows that
the cost TO the commonwealth was ex-
sctly S2S.952.S2. II is also shown
that in addition to carrying on work
that won commendation OF the Nation
al Red Crcss authorities for prompt
ness and effectiveness and praise of
people all over the country the com.
missioner OF health the directing gen.
ius OF il all. has paid over to the Aus
tin Relief Committe in cash the sum
OF sl2545.20 contributed through Gov.
ernor Tener and other officials and
10 Comm .ssioner OF Health Dixon for
the relief of the destitute and suffer.
ing
The fnscial end OF the relief work,
which shows expenditures far less
than popularity supposed, accounts for
every penny. All data is on state
records and open fer inspection.
Pennsylvania state officials are
highly pleased with the praise be-
h. 90
by the National Red Cross authorities.
The relief work, embracing many
sanitary problems and the search for
dead, was placed in the hands of Com
missioner Dixon. He organized the
forces and systematized the distribu-
tion of food, clothing, shelter and
other branches of the gigantic task.
DR.. Dixon and his division chiefs and
engineers remained on the ground for
two weeks.
The summaries of the reports show
that Adjutant-General Thomas ].
Stewart had five cars filled with 1900
tents, commissary stores, 1923 over
coats, blankets and othZ stores suf-
ficient to care for 1,500 homeless per-
sons, starting from Harrisburg within
nine hours after WORD was received of
the horror. Stores not needed we're
returned and the outlay from this we'll.
managed department totaled only
N,153i9.
Bromley Wharton, secretary OF the
State Board of Cha rites, reports on
the systematizing of the humane work
among the destitute and the caring
for orphans so that not a single child
bereft OF parents by the waters had
to go to an inst ution, all being
placed in the homes of Pennsylvania
people who gladly welcomed them to
family circles.
DR.. Dixons financial report, dated
November 2S, acknowledges contribu-
tions to the amount of 11,9S2.54 and
he paid $10,S16.79, making a total of
s22,799.33. In addition there was re-
celved $56266 contributed through
Governor Tener. The adjutant gen
erals disbursements amounted to
S1.159.49, so that the total accounted
for Is as stated above. The sum of
$12,54520 was sent to the Austin COM
mittee.
The disbursements made by the
health commissioner were: wages of
men cleaning up the town and other
purposes, $13,371.17; foodstuffs, $4,-
67781; expenses of employees of de-
partments, $1,434S1; transportation,
49l.O2; drugs and disinfectants,
s3S,75; blankets and mattresses, ST.
So0,oS; miscellaneous, $1,54579.
Concluding his report Governor
Tener says to his reverend critic:
Our only purpose in accepting what
subscriptions have been made direct.
ly to DR.. Dixon, was that the greatest
good might be accomplished with the
least delay, and | assure you that
every dollar so received will be ac-
counted for and turned over to the
proper committee. | regret the tone
OF your letter, and that you appear
to find more to condemn than to com
mend In what others find to be most
satisfactory work on the part of the
state. | am saying this without feel
ing on my part, appreciating, as / do,
the great interest your association
has in the work at hand"
State Capitol Notes.
Reports from some of the hunters
who sought deer this season are com.
mencing to come in. A few are of the
opinion that deer are not more numer.
Gus than they were last year. Game
Commissioner Kalbfus thinks there
are more.