The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-09-26
MIR. JONES MAKES STATEMENT.
To The Lancaster News:

September 18th, complains of the
manner in which the money appro,
prited by Congress for the food suf-
ferers is being used, and calls upon
the Mayor of Lancaster to tell the
food sufferers and the people OF the
county why the food fund for Ian
caster county should be used on the
streets of Lancaster.
1t seems to me that the proper
way to get the information wanted
would be to apply to the United
States officers and agents charged
with the expenditure of the money.
But, l have not the slightest objec-
tion to explaining the connection of
ter, especially as there seems to be
some misconception as to the pur-
poses for which the fund was appro-
priated. The joint resolution of
Congress, approved August 3rd,
1916, appropriated five hundred and
forty thousand dollars for the relief
of flood sufferers in the States Of
North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Mis-
sissippi, and the Secretary of War is
authorized to expend so much of that
sum as he may deem necessary, (D
in supplying seed to produce quick
growing crops to provide food for
the population and animals in the
flood areas; (2) in supplying the des-
titute with some form of employment
at moderate rate of pay, said en-
ployment to be under the supervision
of army officers and in cooperation
with local officers; CD in furnishing
supplies to those destitute and un-
able to work for a period of ninety
days from the passage of the resolu-
tion. The money, Of course, cannot
be expended for any purpose not
mentioned in the Joint Resolution,
and the suggestion of Mr.. Yoder that
part of the money could be better
used in reclaiming private land in
jured by the flood is merely putting
his opinion against the judgment and
action of Congress.
On inquiry of the War Department
! officers | was informed that part of
the money was available for wbrk
on the streets of Lancaster provided
the money was expended in employ
ment OF persons injured by the food.
A force OF hands was organized
from those who suffered by the flood
and put to work in much needed re-
pairs on the streets of Lancaster.
Every dollar of the expenditure from
this fund goes to food sufferers and
for a strictly public purpose.
Mr.. Yoder seems to think the la
borers are not paid enough. Well.
the resolution of Congress requires
the pay to be moderate. Some think
a dollar a day is too much. But if
are satisfied that the pay is moderate
and reasonable why should any one
object? But, Mr.. Yoder's real OBJ
lection is that the money is being
town. The Town of Lancaster has
no wealth which ii can spend on pub
lie works except such as may be de-
vised from taxes upon it's citizens
and it was most fortunate that the
fund in question was properly avail
able for use on the public streets. and
the town officials were not slow in
taking advantage OF the opportunity
Should all the money be expended
on the public roads out of the town?
Well, why did not or does not some
storm sufferers, and put in applica-
tion for funds for use on the county
roads? 1t was our primary duty to
look after the interests of the town
l wonder if Mr. Yoder knows how
much the taxpayers OF town pay for
the roads of the county The act of
the Legislature levies an annual tax
of six mills on all the property in the
county and an annual road tax of
$500 on all male citizens between
21 and 55 years for the purpose of
working and maintaining the public
roads and building bridges The
citizens of the town pay this tax and
! it all goes to the public roads OF the
county and when the citizens Of the
town need the public streets repaired
they must put on themselves another
road tax. The citizens Of the town,
| interested in the public roads of the