Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-02

others way so that unnecessary con-
fusion arose. The relief forces were
not united until a whole week after |
the disaster, and after unfortunate diff |
ficulty and bitterness.
3. The desirability Of contributions.
especially those in kind, being sent
without restrictions, as only the local
organization is able to measure rela-
tive needs at different periods Of the
work. At San Francisco much pitt
, fully needless suffering was caused
through the unw1se restrictions i'm
posed by those who sent funds or sup
plies from distant states. The Celays
in securing authority for the wise use
OF these contributions were well night
intolerable. The only safe course lies
in placing implicit trust in an efficient
and recognized director or relief such
as the Red Cross. is in a position to
furnishSf &N~S
4. The value OF utilizing for emer-
gency administration body SO highly
organized and sQleficient as the
United'Sta .ss army, to take charge of
camps, and TO bring to points of dis
tr:bution the supplies required for
those in need of food and clothing.
o. The wisdom OF reducing the
bread line and the camp population
as quickly as possible after the dis
aster SO that the relief resources may
be conserved to meet the primary
need Of rehabilitation The care used
in emergency expenditures means
much in outstanding resources SO that
permanent rehabilitation may be eff
frient and thorough.
8. The need OF establishing a CEN
trail bureau Of information to serve
from the beginning of the relief work
as a clearing house, to prevent con-
fusion and waste through duplication
of effort
Z. The necessity Of utilizing the
centers OF emergency distribution for
the later rehabilitation work OF dis
trict committees and corps Of Wis
itors
s. The necessity Of Incorporation for
any relief organization that has to
deal with 30 large disaster.
g. The possibility of a strict audit
o. all relief in cash sent to a relief
organization. The impossibility of an
equally strict accounting for relief in
Kind, because of the many leaks and
the difficulties attendant upon hurried
distribution. Care in this direction is
assured If the Red Cross is fully util-
ized
Nothing can take the place, as the
Relief Survey testifles, of the spirit
, and devotion Of the local committees.
At San Francisco the citizens showed
splendid self-relianCe and faith in the
future, which enabled them to re-
bound from fortunes sudden blow, and
show what sustained and cooperative
effort can achieve. But the most i'm
important factor, especially for perma-
, rent rehabilitation, in SO great and
complex a relief problem is a trained
stan. This was organized at San Fran
' cisco by Edward T. Devine, who in
the emergency was called by the Amer
lean Red Cross TO direct its work.
Through the reorganization of the Red
4 Cross, with Ernest P. Bickneu as ma
tional director, that organization is
constantly prepared to bring together
OF very short notice an efficient staff.
Mr.. Bicknell represented the Red
Cross at San Francisco after DR.. De
vines departure and was thus unusual
Il ly we'll equipped to plan the methods
which the Red Cross has devised for
emergency use.
The largest and most efficient char
Z ity organizations throughout the
country agreed to cooperate as "insti
tutional members" OF the Red Cross
When a disaster comes in any section
OF the country the nearest of these
organizations at once dispatches train,
ed members Of its stan to the scene
Each organization has an emergency
box containing in convenient carry
ing form, an equipment including in
structions, record cards, Red Crost
flag. expense sheets and vouchers, etc
The use OF this equipment, especially
the uniform record cards which were
prepared with great care, means thai
the people who need help are safe
guarded most thoroughly from waste
and inefhciency in method.
In the present disaster Mr.. Bicknel
went Immediately from the nationa
headquarters OF the Red Cross to tn,
scene OF the worst conditions in Ohio
Dr. Devine Of the New York Chart,
Organizations society was called e
cooperate with him. James F. Jack
son OF the Cleveland Associated Char
tiles and c. NJ. Hubbard Of the ST
Louis Provident association all actet
quickly on receipt Of directions Il
proceed to various points in the al
ficted regions Of Ohio and Indiana
Eugene T Lies OF the Chicago Unite,
Charities was sent to tornado-strickel
Omahs-whither Mr.. Bicknell was &c
ing when the worse news from Obi
caused hin 10 turn back But NOR
z