1 The county seat of Morrow County, Oregon, which was visited by a cloud-burst on June 14, 1903, in which two hundred persons, about one seventh of the inhabitants of the town, lost their lives.
It is indispensable that there shall be a quick percep tion of the essential features of the existing situation in those who would lead a community and outside sym pathizers to a wise conclusion in the face of impending or accomplished destruction of life and property.
When it has been decided that there is need for relief, whether in the form of money, of transportation, of labor, or in whatever direction, then there should be summoned an executive, if such a one can be found, who is endowed with financial capacity, a knowledge of human nature, experience in dealing with men, and acquaintance with the peculiar and difficult problems constantly arising in the attempt to relieve suffering and distress without injury to the self-respect of those who are to be aided, and with out injury to their neighbors. If the problem is a large and complicated one, numerous sub-committees will be requisite and a staff of assistants. There should be searching inquiry into the claims for relief where the facts are not fully known. The Board of Inquiry inau gurated at Johnstown by Tom L. Johnson, of Cleve land, speedily became one of the most important features of the whole relief system, and upon it eventually de volved the real decision as to the persons to be aided and as to the amounts they should receive. The relief dis bursed after the Baltimore fire, under the direction of Jeffrey R. Brackett, and after the General Slocum disaster, under the direction of A. A. Hill, Secretary of the Relief Committee, was similarly based upon accurate knowledge.
There should be an executive committee, whether called by that name, as in Chicago, or by some other designation, thoroughly acquainted with local conditions and in con stant touch with the relief operations. Whether this committee should have the full responsibility, or should itself be responsible to a larger board or commission, will depend upon various conditions, and especially upon the extent of the area from which donations are received. If contributions are made from distant communities, it may be advisable that there should be representatives upon the controlling body from such communities, or at least there should be as members of it citizens of sufficient reputation and standing to inspire a feeling of confidence even in the most distant places. After the Johnstown Flood a com
mission was appointed by state authority on which there was comparatively little local representation, and the prin cipal responsibility in Johnstown itself, during the period of greatest need, rested upon what was known as a finance committee. Although there are advantages in an authori tative and widely represented commission, such as that which was then created, it is doubtful whether the result ing delays and the lack of familiarity with the actual situation are not fatal objections. It is certain that de cisions, if made at a distance, should be influenced by the opinion of those who are on the spot. In any event the real responsibility will naturally rest principally upon the local executive committee and its executive. The strictly local character of the New York East Side Relief Work Committee in 1893-1894 was one of its chief sources of strength. The committee should lay down the prin ciples on which aid is to be extended, and full responsibil ity for carrying them into effect should devolve upon the executive.
Material should be preserved for the publication of a complete report, including a detailed financial record of both receipts and disbursements. This is not only due to contributors and to the public as a guide in future emer gencies, but it is of advantage to those who are responsible for the relief measures, in order that, if criticisms or con troversies arise, a full statement can be made. The Fire Report of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society and the report published in Calcutta of the Central Executive Committee of the Indian Famine Charitable Relief Fund of 1900 may be cited as models of most complete and elaborate reports ; and, although of briefer compass, the Report of the Secretary of the Johnstown Relief Commis sion, the Report of the Jacksonville (1901) Relief Asso ciation, the Report of the Indianapolis Commercial Club Relief Committee of 1893-1894, the Report of the Minne sota State Commission for the Relief of Fire Sufferers (September, 1894 ; report printed 1895), and the Report of the General Slocum Relief Committee, printed as a chapter in this volume, are equally explicit and valuable as sources of information.