The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-04-05
HANDBOOK ON RELIEF
FOR FLOOD REGIONS
Scientific Rescue Work AS
Taught by San Fran
cisco.

NEW YORK, April 5.-April IS. the
seventh anniversary of the great San
Francisco disaster, is the date set for
the appearance OF a scientific hand
book on relief work, which contains
many lessons that will doubtless be Of
great value in the flood regions of the
middle west. BY curious coinci-
dence it was just ready to go to press
when the first news came from the
disaster-stricken flood regions. The
book is definitely planned as book
of ready reference for use on occa-
sions of special emergency"
The volume presents a study of the
organization and methods Of relief fol-
lowing the San Francisco earthquake
and fire, made for the Russell Sage
Foundation by group Of people who
held responsible positions in connec-
ton with the relief work.
ADVANCE SHEETS SENT OUT.
For the assistance of those in the
middle west upon whom heavy relief
responsibilities have suddenly come,
the Sage Foundation has sent advance
sheets of portions of the book to char
ity organizations in and near the
stricken regions.
ut is not enough" says the intro
duction to the volume, merely to
keep the victims of a disaster from
the starvation and exposure which
confront them in the weeks immedi-
ately following the catastrophe, but
the idea Of rehabilitation. of giving to
those who have been left at least
reasonable lift on the road to a recov-
cry of the standard of living main
tanned before the disaster, constantly
has grown clearer and more definite,
a natural fructifying of the modern
philosophy of charity"
Some of the prime points empha-
sized under organization and emer-
gency period are:
1. The recognition of the American
National Red Cross, with its perma-
nent organization, its governmental
status, and it's direct accountability to
congress for all expenditures, as the
proper national agency through which
relief funds for great disasters should
be collected and administered; thus
securing unity of effort, certainty of
policy, and a center about which all
local relief agencies may rally.
STRONG CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
2. The Importance of postponing
the appointment of subcommittee un-
til a strong central committee has
been able to determine general poll
cies and methods Of procedure. The
hasty organization of subcommittee
at San Francisco resulted in much
overlapping, some committees getting
in each others way so that unnec-
essary confusion arose. The relief
forces were not united until whole
week after the disaster, and after I'M
fortunate difficulty and bitterness.
8. The desirability of contributions,
especially those q 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 pitifully
needless suffering was caused through
the unwise restrictions imposed by
those who sent funds or supplies from
distant states. The delays in secur-
ing authority for the wise use Of these
contributions were well nigh intoler-
able. The only safe course lies in
placing implicit trust in an efficient
and recognized director of relief such
as the Red Cross is in a position to
furnish.
4. The value of utilizing for emer-
gency administration body SO highly
organized and so efficient as the
United States army, to take charge of
camps, and to bring to points of dis
tribution the supplies required for
those in need Of food and clothing.
REHABILITATION PRIMARY NEED.
S. The wisdom of reducing the
bread line and the camp population as
quickly as possible after this disas-
ter so that the relief sources may be
conserved to meet the primary need
of rehabilitation. The care used in
emergency expenditures means much
in outstanding resources so that per
manent rehabilitation may be efficient
and thorough.
Z. The necessity of utilizing the
centers of emergency distribution for
the later rehabilitation work of dis
trict committees and corps of visitors.
8. The necessity of incorporation