tutions. To this Finance Committee moneys were sent directly from all parts of the country, and from the funds in their hands not only was the first cash distribution made, but there were also appropriations for urgent public uses, such as the restoration of the bridges and the re organization and equipment of the fire companies.
During the weeks of greatest distress and confusion the unanimity of the people in regard to public questions sub mitted to their determination in town-meeting was very marked. There was everywhere a spirit of helpfulness and acquiescence in the decisions reached by the director and committees. Those who had anything gave freely to those in need, and there was no trace of jealousy, or of opposition to the temporary authorities. The unanimous approval of the action of the Finance Committee in voting large sums for bridges and other public works is an in stance in point, this action of the town-meeting virtually, as they well knew, voting out of the pockets of individ uals money which had been contributed for relief. There were frequent meetings at which there would sometimes be only a small group, embracing most of those who had first met on the day after the flood. Later there were larger assemblages, although probably not more than two hun dred. Any one who desired attended and participated in the meeting. The Finance Committee worked throughout in harmony with the Flood Commission, and took an active part in the later and larger distribution of cash made by authority of the commission. The Finance Committee appointed several sub-committees. The most important of these, which indeed rendered extraordinary service, was the Board of Inquiry, suggested by Tom L. Johnson, who came to Johnstown as the representative of Cleveland donors. He was intrusted with a large sum of money, part of which he turned over to the Finance Committee, and part of which he applied directly. The Board of Inquiry was appointed for the special purpose of making a carefully verified statement of losses incurred by indi viduals and families, and also of deaths from the flood.
The first problem was, of course, the supply of food. In addition to the purchases made by the committee in Johnstown, Pittsburg, and Philadelphia, immense quanti ties of provisions were donated and sent forward from all parts of the country. By the afternoon of Saturday, the day after the flood, sufficient food was at hand, and although there was some difficulty in distributing it because of the absence of means of communication, there was no time when there was reason to fear a famine. Storage depots were established at convenient points on the railroads, and from these supplies were sent to the distributing stations in different parts of the valley. At the maximum there were eighteen of these stations. From them daily reports were received of the number requiring assistance and the kinds of supplies needed. The valley was divided into districts ; residents were enrolled and furnished with order cards available only at the station nearest to them, the cards being cancelled with each supply of provisions received. It was necessary to furnish food, not only to
sufferers from the flood, but to employees and volunteer workers. The largest number who received food daily from the commissary was about 30,000, this number being gradually reduced until July 2, when it was about 10,000. Six days later this had been reduced 50 per cent, and on July 20 all were dropped from the rolls except widows, orphan children, working girls who had not yet secured employment, and the aged and the sick. On October 5 there remained on the list 464 persons, on which day supplies were issued for ten days, and the last commissary depot was closed. Wearing apparel was also purchased in large quantities by the various relief committees, and was contributed in kind from all directions. Depots were opened for distribution. Referring to these depots the secretary of the Flood Commission says that they " were managed with much judgment, but the distribution was attended with many difficulties and the result was not as satisfactory as was desirable. However, the supply was unlimited and as it was given out without stint, cloth ing, as well as food, it can safely be said that the poor of that city, or of any other city, have never been so abun dantly supplied." This admission, that the result was unsatisfactory, natu rally raises some question as to whether they were really " managed with much judgment," and upon this point the evidence of L. S. Emery, Secretary of the Associated Charities of Washington, D.C., is of interest. Mr. Emery accompanied the supplies sent from that city, and arrived in Johnstown on June 7, just one week after the flood had occurred. He gives the following account of the manner of distribution then in force : — " Two windows were set apart, from which clothing and shoes were being thrown out over the heads of the crowd, and those having the longest arms and stoutest backs seemed to be getting most of it, without regard as to who they were, or the suitableness of the garments thrown out. I paused to observe this for a few minutes, and then passed along to the window and the door where the gro ceries were being doled out. Here, too, was a crowd of persons with baskets, and as a basket was reached out, it would be filled without any note as to who they were, and the recipient would pass along. I drew up close to the crowd and heard several citizens remark, Well, look there, any one can get those goods,' and so it seemed to be, if they were strong enough to stand the crowd and the tedious waiting. Some women stood aloof from the crowd crying, and when asked what the matter was, replied that they could not stand that crowd and could get nothing. Some said they had been waiting since morning to get an opportunity to get up to the door or window to get some thing to carry away to eat.