New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-28
HOW TITANIC RELIEF
FUND WAS DISTRIBUTED
3 W. de Forest, Head of Red
Gross Here, Says S158,428.87
Was Used for Survivors.
little FRICTION IN WORK
rr;bute Paid to Late Whitelaw
Reid for Bringing About Un-
derstanding with English
Relief Committee.

rho first official report on the distribu-
tim of funds raised in New York 10 aid
suHerers by the Titanic disaster last
,prll was made public yesterday after
roon at a meeting of the local branch
~ the Red Cross, held in the
r'nited Charities Building. Fourth ave
mo and 22d street. 4 total OF 1854 81.
II WAS announced by Robert w. De For
est president of the society. was spent
=, relieving survivors u put In trust fog
the families of men who We're drowned
one hundred and cghty-one cases of
property losses were attended TO by the
society. al q cost Of approximately SS,-
90. Widows and children permanently
relieved by trust funds. as well as tenn
norary care after the disaster. entailed
an expenditure Of nearly $1,000 The
remainder. about S2sCo0 went to aid in
6ividuals rendered destitute.
The work Of distributing the funds en-
tailed much investigation ard correspond
ence. President de Forest said. but IT
had been carried on with less friction
than usual IN cases of great disasters.
Several attempts 10 impose upon the
committee were made. he said. but were
unsuccessful. Not one complaint Of the
treatment received at the hands OF the
society had been heard.
1T was very different from the Gem
sral Slocum disaster" he said. People
not only complained then. but they went
so far as TO bring suit against US"
In reviewing the Titanic situation.
Frank 5 Persons, who had charge of
the collection and distribution of the
funds spoke gratefully of the services
rendered 10 the society by Whitelaw
Reid. then Ambassador 10 England.
Through the personal efforts Of Mr..
Reid" he said. our committee was able
10 come 10 a perfect understanding with
the English relief committee in regard
10 which passengers particularly those
who travelled in the steerage, should be
helped with American funds. Mr.. Reid,
BY his personal efforts on the behalf Of
the Red Cross. paved the way
for the ultimate success our institution
met with in aiding the afflicted"
Among those present at the meeting
Yesterday afternoon was Mrs. Whitelaw
Reid.
The devastation Of the Middle West by
foods. Mr.. de Forest said, called for an
other generous response TO an appeal for
funds Judging by the contributions re-
ceived the first day, he said he had no rea-
son to doubt that the Red Cross would be
able TO do as effective work among the
food sufferers as II had among the widows
and families of the men who persisted
with the Titanic.
The latest news received at Red Cross
Headquarters at Washington was tele-
graphed TO New York and read at the
meeting. Dayton, Ohio it was said. was
cut in two by the floods, and nurses sent
TO the scene from Cincinnati were unable
to get from South Dayton into the city
proper. Eighteen nurses. it was an
nounced. had been placed at the service of
Colonel Hall. surgeon general of the ohio
National Guard. Immediate needs, the
telegram declared. were money. food.
clothing and blankets.
Let me add Mr.. de Forest said, that
here in New York only contributions OF
money are asked II would be folly TO &C
cept anything but money at this hour for
with IL supplies that are needed may be
secured near the scene Of the disaster.
The response Of citizens Of this city TO
the Red Cross appeal, Mr. de Forest said
was gratifying because Of its spontaneity
as well as It's generosity.