The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-09-12
VAN WYCK PARTY
DISCUSS FLOOD RELIEF
ASKS FOR INVESTIGATION
Calls for Answer From Mayor
Says Money Should BE Spent
in Midst of Sufferers.

The destruction wrought by the
floods last July is an old story to
some but to others it is fresh unc
will live with them for some time.
To realize what it means to those
who live along the streams where it
did its total devastation, only needs.
visit by the skeptical, to view the
empty barns and cribs and Door
stock for the want of feed, when
they would come to the conclusion
as the Queen of Sheba in Soloman's-,
time, and say 1.-The half has not been
told. When congress was informed.
as 10 the great destruction caused
by the July flood, it got busy and
voted an appropriation for the flood
sufferers which was apportioned tc.
the four States that had been so hard
hit. This fund was to relieve the,
destitute and suffering Seeds were
contributed for immediate use, but
unfortunately much of it is not
suitable for this season, nor what is
needed by the flood sufferers. Some,
OF this seed was distributed in some,
parts OF the country about the midi
ole OF August, and was planted and ia
now growing. But how is it Lancas-
ter county? Some of the sufferers
hhaue appllca,i ion for seed as soon
as 1t was known to be on hand. They.
nave not received any yet. / have a
personal knowledge of one case
where atfidavits were made on Aup
26th and presented for seed. but WIS,
informed that the seed could mn,
be distributed before Monday of the
iollowing week and could be had,
any day of the week. On Thursday
OF the following week, a wagon was,
sent to Lancaster for seed for 26-
nood sufferers The seed were unere
but no one would distribute them
This wagon and team came from
distance OF fourteen miles. 1t was
sent BACK home empty but with the
assurance that the seed would bts
forwarded by U. S. franchise mail
ny Saturday. This is sixteen davs
since the request for seed and mr.,
seed yet. We must think there is
some one derelict in uuty.
Now as to the Relief Flood E,,n.,
IL seems this is being used to builor
roads and work streets. The poor
hood sufferer must work on the roa5p
OF street like gally slave at one,
uollar per day. Some places where
TINS work is being done is at q die
lance from the home Of the fioody
suherer and for him to get anything
iioih Ihls 1und he will be compelled
10 leave his home and family. per--
maps In needy or destitute circnu
stances, and get his dollar 4 dav
winch will barely pay his expenses,
lor board and lodging as we know
such things come high. especi,IIv in
'o"h' Inc only place the money
is Deing used in Lancaster county 90
lar as we know, is on the streets of
Lancaster, which we think is vary
UNJUST to the flood sufferers of Ian
caster county. This may he the way
the government deems hest IN -,
HeVe the flood sumerer. bur in my
"e"N judgment l think there are.
other ways that part OF this money
could be used that would he q roo,
and lasting relief to those who ON,
iered by the destructive floods in
July Along the Catawba river nouoh
OF the land is washed and will NOT h.
III 10 cultivate for years, while otber
pidces can be reclaimed and made IN,
oear good crops by opening drain.
ana bitches that have been filled nm,
oS the washing sands and debris on.,
IL now covered by water and win.
rave TO be abandoned unless The
ultchlng is done. Some of this ,an,,
pas Deen worked by tenats for stand.
lhg rent others by share cropers on,
some by the owners of the sor,
ne destruction has been so 60.
"'Oh these tenants, cropers and lana
l"hers In the loss of their cron
'hat they are not able to beor az.
eNpehSes of this work. II will +ot
q" they make and much moro 10,
! meet their obligations. Now chan.
these FERTILE lands along the streona
oe abandoned? Would it NOT he hot
| 'er' lor part of the food fund n ho
expended in this way, than to be nut
'"e streets OF wealthy towns
| which did NOT cuRou - A.,