The duties of this committee will be to designate sub-committees throughout the entire flooded district in Richland to secure an accurate census of those persons who need assistance, to estimate the cost of relieving distress until another crop can be procured and to receive and disburse funds.
Mr. Gonzales requests that all moneys be sent to Treasurer W. A. Clark, and it is necessary for the business-like and just distribution of relief that those who have undertaken to extend relief in this section shall work with the central committee, and there shall be an accounting of all funds to the central committee.
As matters now stand it is not likely that much relief will be needed from this committee for the next two months. During that time the people affected, or most of them, will be able to earn a living by picking cotton on the highlands, but from about the middle of November until the next oat crop (in May, 1909) can be harvested, scores and scores of families will be absolutely dependent upon assistance, and it is to prepare for that time of need that the central committee and the sub-committees to be appointed will now work. Of course, every effort will be made to get these people to help themselves. There will be absolutely no encouragement to idleness or pauperism, but there is no use attempting to conceal the fact that later on in the winter there will be a real problem to solve in caring for the destitute.
Columbia and South Carolina, it is hoped, will be able to care for these needy people. What they fail to do the Red Cross will be asked to supplement. The central committee represents Columbia and will also act as agent for the Red Cross.
This visit was made on September 20, 21 and 22.
THE PEE DEE SECTION.
The account of the conditions in the Pee Dee sections is equally important:
On October 20th last I visited the City of Marion from which radiates the principal business of the Pee Dee section. On my arrival I was met at the depot by Mayor Miles, Associate Justice Woods, of the Supreme Court of South Carolina; Congressman Ellerbee, and many other citizens of prominence and distinction in South Carolina, and beyond her borders—an evidence of their keen anxiety to put themselves in position to provide relief for their unfortunate and crushed neighbors. Two meetings were held that day—one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. The matter was carefully discussed and weighed in every particular. Mayor Miles presided at each meeting.
Hon. W. J. Montgomery, President of the Bank of Marion and Senator from Marion County, spoke as follows:
“We are not so much concerned about the present, although there are some serious cases we are forced to handle now. The problem most difficult to solve, and which creates intense anxiety, is how these hundreds of dependents, unable to find employment to which they can adapt themselves, are to be fed during the coming winter. This can only be done with the kind permission of the Red Cross, to draw upon our share of the fund, which that worthy organization is endeavoring to swell through its urgent appeals to the people of the whole State for money donations, added to that furnished by local contributors.