Soup was distributed in Wilkes-Barré and outlying districts, and
was sent to the Visiting Nurses’ rooms and to the Home for
Friendless Children. Corresponding amounts of desserts were sent
out in Wilkes-Barré, and outlying districts, and to the Home for
Friendless Children. Jellies and marmalades were donated in
large quantities, and were sent out with the soup and desserts.
The sum of $500.00 was donated for free milk for influenza
patients.
Although Troop Trains were being served during the month of
December, the Canteen continued the work incidental to the
epidemic. From Canteen Headquarters large quantities of soup,
custards and milk were distributed to individuals and families
in the city and outskirts. Three thousand nine hundred and
seventy-four people were served. Two thousand four hundred and
fifty-six quarts of soup were distributed; 167 quarts, with
corresponding quantities of custard, were sent to Georgetown,
and 13½ quarts to the Visiting Nurses’ rooms for their lunches.
Eight hundred and five quarts of milk were distributed. Two
hundred and three lunches were packed for volunteer nurses on
duty in the stricken homes. Twenty-four quarts of ice cream were
distributed on Christmas Day. Desserts were distributed in which
the following were used: 739 quarts milk, 84 quarts gelatin,
117½ dozen eggs, 10½ dozen lemons, 4 quarts vanilla, 47 boxes
cornstarch, 53 boxes tapioca, 33 boxes gelatin, 12 boxes lemon
jello, 85 pounds sugar.
At a meeting of the Greater Wilkes-Barré Chamber of Commerce held
December 10, 1918, with President Philip R. Bevan in the chair and
Hayden Williams Secretary, a very full discussion took place with
respect to the large number of children in Luzerne County who had been
orphaned by the influenza scourge (2,390, as noted on page — n?,
_ante_)—creating a condition demanding the serious consideration of
every citizen of the County. Thereupon the following resolution was
adopted:
“_Resolved_, That a committee be appointed to look into this
matter, and make recommendations at a subsequent meeting of the
Chamber.”
Pursuant to this resolution President Bevan appointed a committee as
follows: William C. Shepherd, _Chairman_, Percy A. Brown, C. F. Brisbin,
John N. Conyngham, Charles E. Clift, William H. Conyngham, Fuller R.
Hendershot and John D. Farnham. This committee met on January 3, 1919,
and after careful deliberation unanimously decided that, before any
consideration could be given to a definite plan for the permanent relief
of influenza orphans, it would be necessary to form a general committee
drawn from various sections of the County of Luzerne. Chairman Shepherd
declared that, whatever plan of relief should be adopted, it should
apply to the entire County. He said, also, that it would have to be
decided whether or not any of the children could be taken care of by
existing charitable organizations, or whether a special institution
would have to be established.
Mr. Hendershot, and others present, raised the question as to whether or
not any of the children could be taken care of by the Mothers’ Pension
Fund. It was admitted that if this were done the appropriations for the
Fund would have to be increased. It was stated that, as there were some
Counties in the State which did not have such a Fund, the local Board
might be able to secure an increase in its appropriations from the State
funds not drawn upon by other Counties entitled thereto.
Mr. Brisbin told of the investigation then going on by members of the
Red Cross, and others, under his direction, in order to ascertain all
conditions surrounding each individual affected by the ravages of the
pandemic. He said that when the inquiries should be completed, in the
course of two or three weeks, there would be definite information as to
the exact number of orphans for whom permanent provision would have to
be made. He said that in many cases orphans would either be placed in
the care of relatives, or others, and that in the end the number to be
provided for by the public would not be as large as then anticipated.
It was then resolved, upon motion of Mr. Brown, that a committee,
representative of the entire County, should be appointed:
“To devise plans for the permanent relief of all influenza
orphans needing the same; and that prior to a meeting of this
General Committee to be held on January 20, 1919, the Secretary
should communicate with the various cities in Pennsylvania and
other States, in which the epidemic had been serious, for the
purpose of securing information regarding permanent relief plans
adopted in those cities.”
In pursuance of this resolve it was decided that the following-named
persons should be invited to come together at the Chamber of Commerce on
January 20, 1919, at 3 o’clock p.m., for the purpose of effecting a
“permanent organization for the relief of influenza orphans in Luzerne
County.” William C. Shepherd, Percy A. Brown, C. F. Brisbin, William H.
Conyngham, John N. Conyngham, John D. Farnham, Hon. S. J. Strauss, Hon.
J. V. Kosek, Miss Anna Koons, Charles F. Huber, Miss Mary Brady, Miss
Rose O’Hara, Dr. Charles H. Miner, Dr. S. P. Mengel, Eugene W. Mulligan,
Anthony C. Campbell, Mrs. George Galland, Mrs. Francis A. Phelps, Mrs.
Andrew F. Derr, Miss Hobart, Miss Nellie Ritchie, Mrs. J. D. Davenport,
Victor Lee Dodson, Frederick J. Weckesser and Harold N. Rust of
Wilkes-Barré; Michael Lonski, F. H. Kohlbraker, Mrs. George G. Brader
and Mrs. Oliver Bell of Nanticoke; Fuller R. Hendershot, Dr. H. L.
Whitney, H. L. Freeman, Michael Maras and the Hon. Asa K. De Witt of
Plymouth; Mayor Henry W. Heidenreich and Harry A. Schmoll of Hazleton;
William Bray of Freeland; D. A. Mulherin of Glen Lyon; the Rev. M. A.
Dauber of Pike’s Creek; Robert Mulhall, William Joseph Peck, M. N.
Donnelly, Mayor James Kennedy, M. W. O’Boyle, W. L. Watson, W. J.
Kilgallen and Mrs. Joseph Peck of Pittston; Samuel M. Parke of West
Pittston; Mrs. E. E. Buckman, Mrs. Laurance M. Thompson and Harry W.
Ruggles of Dorranceton; the Rev. F. Kasaczun of Sugar Notch; V. B.
Sheeder and the Rev. Mr. Gillespie of Wanamie; the Rev. Selden L.
Haynes, the Rev. J. F. Jedlicka and Hubbard B. Payne of Kingston; the
Rev. J. E. Gryczka of Edwardsville; James L. Reilly, Secretary of the
Poor Board of the Central District of Luzerne County.
In response to notices sent out to the aforementioned persons, about
thirty-five of them assembled in the auditorium of the Wilkes-Barré
Chamber of Commerce in the afternoon of January 20, 1919. At the request
of Chairman Shepherd Mr. John N. Conyngham acted as Chairman _pro tem._
Mr. Shepherd then explained the purpose of the meeting, and the
necessity for providing some satisfactory method of taking care of the
children throughout the County who had been left in a destitute
condition by the influenza pandemic.
The Chairman _pro tem._ asked whether or not a permanent organization
should be formed. Mr. Mulhall thought that it would be wise to work
through some organization already in existence and possessing power to
enforce any law relating to the situation. He suggested the United
Charities as such an organization, and supplementary to this suggestion
Mr. Schmoll reported that in Hazleton forty-six influenza orphans were
at that time being taken care of by the United Charities of that City.
Mrs. Galland, President of the Mothers’ Pension Fund, thought it would
be the best plan to leave as many children as possible with their
surviving parents, and that practically all cases could be handled by
the Pension Fund—provided appropriations for it should be sufficiently
increased.
On motion of the Rev. Mr. Haynes it was finally voted that a temporary
organization be formed, to be known as the “Chamber of Commerce
Coöperation Committee”, to coöperate with existing agencies in making
investigations and providing relief for all deserving cases.
Mr. Brisbin, Chairman of the Civilian Relief Department of the Wyoming
Valley Chapter of the Red Cross, stated that his department had begun
investigations, regardless of any arrangements made, or to be made, by
other committees or organizations. It had been stated that the Women’s
Committee of the Council of National Defense was about to institute an
investigation of the orphan problem along the same lines being followed
by the Red Cross, and Mr. Brisbin called attention to the danger of
serious confusion and complications as a result of this overlapping
work.
Mrs. Phelps and Miss Brady (the latter an employé of the United
Charities of Wilkes-Barré) spoke of conditions found by them in many
homes where poverty reigned, and where it was necessary that something
should be done immediately to save these families from being ejected
from their homes by landlords because they could not pay their rents.
Thereupon Mr. Mulhall inquired why the Poor Boards could not pay the
rents of families in destitute circumstances. Mr. Dodson said that while
the Poor Board of the Central District was publicly not in favor of
paying rents, he believed it would take care of the rent question
quietly by paying money for that purpose to the United Charities. Mr.
Farnham stated that the Red Cross had some money which might be used for
that purpose.
Upon motion of Mr. Hendershot it was then voted that a committee be
appointed to work in conjunction with the State Department of Health in
an attempt to secure from the State Legislature financial relief for all
influenza orphans. As such committee the Chairman appointed Fuller R.
Hendershot, John D. Farnham and Percy A. Brown.
Upon motion of Mr. Haynes it was then voted to adjourn until January 22,
at which time efforts would be made to devise an immediate plan for the
permanent relief of influenza victims; and that the Secretary should
invite to this meeting representatives of the Red Cross, the United
Charities, and the Poor Boards in Luzerne and Carbon Counties.
The adjourned meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Coöperation Committee
held on January 22, 1919, was attended by about twenty persons. Mr.
William C. Shepherd presided, and L. K. Eldridge acted as Secretary. Mr.
Shepherd stated that it was the consensus of opinion that, so far as
possible, all orphans should be kept in their respective homes or be
taken care of by relatives or friends. Mr. Brisbin outlined the work
being done by the Civilian Relief Department of the Red Cross, stating
that cases were being investigated, and that in his judgment the County
had organizations enough to take care of the work, but that money was
greatly needed.
Thereupon Mr. Hendershot moved that a committee be appointed to confer
with the Poor Board, the Red Cross and other organizations with a view
to obtaining money for carrying on the relief work. This motion having
been carried the Chairman appointed the following committee, to be known
as the “Ways and Means Committee”: William H. Conyngham (Chairman), Dr.
Charles H. Miner, Anthony C. Campbell, Harold N. Rust and the Rev.
Selden L. Haynes.
Charles E. Keck, Esq., Solicitor for the Poor Board of the Central
District, then outlined the duties and limitations of that Board, and
stated that the members of the Board would be very glad to meet the
committee just appointed and go over with them the matter of providing
funds for needed relief. At this point Judge S. J. Strauss made some
very timely remarks to the effect that a committee should be appointed
to provide means for increasing the capacity and usefulness of the
Wilkes-Barré Home for Friendless Children. He stated that, in his
opinion, additional organizations were not necessary, but that the
Committee should co-operate with those already existing.
At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Coöperation Committee held on
January 31, 1919, Mr. Rust, reporting for the Ways and Means Committee,
stated that the latter had conferred with the attorney for the Poor
Board of the Central District, who informed the committee that in any
case where immediate relief was required the Board would investigate and
then administer such relief as was necessary.
Mr. Rust was of the opinion that, inasmuch as the taxpayers had provided
funds for the Poor Board, action should be taken by this Committee to
see that the Board properly took care of worthy cases. Further, that as
the law of the State prohibits the paying of rents by the Board, the
matter of rents should be taken care of by the Red Cross; that there
should be close coöperation between Wyoming Valley Chapter of the Red
Cross and the Poor Board of the Central District in the matter of
investigating cases; that immediate relief, when needed, should be
furnished, and that the disbursement of funds should be divided between
the Poor Board and the Red Cross. Mr. Farnham stated that in his opinion
the funds of the Red Cross would be available as far as they would go.
On motion of Mr. Rust it was then voted that the Civilian Relief
Department of Wyoming Valley Chapter of the Red Cross take to the Poor
Board of the Central District the fifty specific cases which they had
investigated; that these cases should be checked up against those
receiving relief from the Central Poor District, and if it should be
ascertained that there were any who were not receiving relief, the
District be requested to add such names to their list for immediate
investigation and relief; that the District pay for food, coal, etc.,
and that funds for the payment of rents be placed in the hands of the
Civilian Relief Department of the Red Cross.
On motion of Mrs. George Galland it was voted that the Coöperation
Committee of the Chamber of Commerce endorses the action of the
Commissioners of Luzerne County in agreeing to appropriate $25,000 to
the Mothers’ Pension Fund provided the State of Pennsylvania would
appropriate $1,000,000 to the general fund.
A meeting of the Coöperation Committee of the Chamber of Commerce was
held on February 19, 1919, with William C. Shepherd presiding and L. K.
Eldridge acting as Secretary. The minutes of the meeting held on January
31 were read and approved. Mr. Rust reported concerning the conference
held by the Ways and Means Committee with the Poor Board of the Central
District, stating that the latter had agreed to carry out, so far as
possible, the recommendations set forth in the resolution of the
Coöperation Committee adopted on January 31. The support promised by the
Poor Board would cover medical assistance, food, clothing, and nursing
when necessary; the Red Cross to pay rents.
Mrs. McLaughlin reported that the original fifty relief cases had been
turned over to the Poor Board, together with 202 additional cases. The
Poor Board had stated that 90% of these cases were already in their
hands, under investigation. It was also reported that several day
nurseries were under consideration, which would permit mothers to leave
their children there and take up employment. Mrs. Phelps stated that in
a number of cases widows had not yet received their insurance money;
that some of the societies in which insurance had been carried were said
to be bankrupt, while some of the larger insurance companies were
holding up the payment of amounts due on policies of deceased victims of
the epidemic.
On motion of Mr. Rust Mr. Brisbin was authorized to increase the
membership of the Civilian Relief Committee so as to meet the
requirements of the situation of affairs. It was voted, also, that he be
given full power to discuss and decide all matters with the Central Poor
Board, and that he consider the wisdom of employing persons to do social
service work during the ensuing three months.
On April 30, 1919, a quorum of the Chamber of Commerce Coöperation
Committee met in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium. Chairman Shepherd
stated that, inasmuch as the Red Cross and the Poor Board of the Central
District were taking care of matters for which the Coöperation Committee
had been constituted, it was his judgment that the Committee should be
discharged from further consideration of the matters in question. Mr.
Schmoll stated that in Hazleton all cases had been taken care of through
regular channels, and to the best of his knowledge there were no
destitute cases at that time. Mrs. Bell reported that in Nanticoke there
were twelve cases where rents were being paid, and would be paid as long
as necessary, by the Red Cross.
Mr. Conyngham stated that the work of the Red Cross, at that time, was
confined to the paying of rents. He could not say, however, how much
longer this work could be continued. It was suggested that, when the Red
Cross had reached the limits in its work of paying rents, the Poor Board
should take over the cases in Nanticoke. Mrs. McLaughlin stated that up
to that date 630 old cases and 75 new ones in the Central District had
been turned over to the Poor Board.
On motion of Mr. Conyngham it was voted to request the Poor Board to
employ as many experienced women as necessary to investigate and look
after cases after the Red Cross and other organizations had retired from
activity in the field. The Rev. Dr. Farr suggested that the Coöperation
Committee should receive from Mr. Brisbin a full and final report of the
important work done by the Civilian Relief Committee of Wyoming Valley
Chapter of the Red Cross, which work had been carried on under the
direction and management of Mr. Brisbin, and has been briefly referred
to hereinbefore.[7] There being no further business to be transacted,
the Committee adjourned _sine die_.
Footnote 7:
A full report of the work performed by the Civilian Relief Committee
will be found in the “History of Wyoming Valley Chapter of the
American Red Cross,” soon to be published.
The “Committee for the Distribution of Funds for the Care and Relief of
Influenza Victims”, whose appointment is noted hereinbefore, held
various meetings for the transaction of business connected with the
duties confided to it. At a meeting held March 21, 1919, affairs
relative to the various Emergency Hospitals were thoroughly discussed,
following which Mr. Conyngham moved that all bills of the General
Committee be paid at once. This motion was carried. Mr. Hendershot then
moved that the Treasurer be instructed to pay the amounts of the various
Emergency Hospital bills which had been approved by the Committee. This
motion was carried.
At a subsequent meeting this Committee unanimously adopted the following
rules of procedure relative to the settlement of bills arising out of
the establishing of the seven Emergency Hospitals in Luzerne County:
“(1) That the verified bills for the construction work of
buildings, or altering or equipping temporary hospitals, should
be paid.
“(2) That the verified bills for the daily
maintenance—consisting of food, drugs, medicines, and the
overhead expense of light and fuel—together with such special
expenses as were approved by the General Committee in relation
to the general organization work throughout the County, be
approved and paid.
“(3) That bills in connection with the regularly established
hospitals, and bills relating to the regular hospitals and
charities, and the work of attendants in isolated homes, could
not be approved and paid, as the moneys appropriated for this
epidemic were appropriated for the specific purpose of the
establishment and maintenance of hospitals for this work.”
At a meeting of the Distribution Committee held April 4, 1919, it was
resolved to issue to the public a “Letter of information concerning the
work of the Distribution Committee”. This letter was subsequently
prepared, giving a brief account of the organization of the committee
and the work it had accomplished, and, having been signed by the members
of the committee, was duly disseminated. The following paragraphs are
extracts from this letter:
“The appropriation of funds by Luzerne County was made under an
Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature approved May 14, 1915, and
reading in part as follows:
“‘_Section 1._ * * * The County Commissioners of any County may
appropriate moneys for the support of any hospital, located
within or without the limits of such County, which is engaged in
charitable work and extends treatment and medical attention to
residents of such County.
“‘_Section 2._ All Acts and parts of Acts inconsistent with this
Act are repealed.’
“The appropriation of the City of Wilkes-Barré was made by the
members of the City Council by a resolution reading as follows:
“‘_Whereas_, the equipment and maintenance of the Emergency
Hospital at the Armory is necessary to fight the influenza
epidemic; and whereas much of the equipment can be later used at
the Emergency Contagious Disease Hospital of the city of
Wilkes-Barré which is now nearing completion,
“_Therefore, Be it Resolved_, That the City of Wilkes-Barré
appropriate $5,000., or so much thereof as may be necessary,
toward the equipment and maintenance of the Armory or other
Hospital; that the Citizens’ Committee in charge submit bills,
properly audited, to the City of Wilkes-Barré, and the City pay
such bills to an amount equal to the appropriation authorized;
and that the equipment, which can later be used by the Emergency
Contagious Hospital, become the property of the City; and that
patients at the Armory Hospital, whose circumstances permit, be
required to pay for such services, as is done at the other
hospitals in the City.’”
Report of Treasurer
DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.
────
RECEIPTS.
From Luzerne County $20,000.00
City of Wilkes-Barré 3,999.85
Wyoming Valley Chapter 3,963.36
Red Cross
The Bell Telephone 14.76
Company (Refund)
H. A. Whiteman & Co. 38.45
(Refund)
────
$28,016.42
EXPENDITURES.
Paid to Nurses, Aids, etc., as follows:
Emily Jones $ 40.00
Hilda Lewis 40.00
Nellie Loftus 40.00
Jennie May 40.00
Minnie Fry 40.00
Mrs. Harriet Hountz 54.00
Loretta Sullivan 102.00
Anna Walsh 80.00
Dorothy Guy 85.50
Nellie Fischer 7.33
Margaret Bechtold 84.00
Oliver Wolfe 108.00
Raymond Davis 51.00
Howard Roat 75.00
Robert Davenport 36.00
Mrs. Martha Edwards 48.63
Mrs. Myrtle Mooney 14.52
Mrs. Ellen Hosey 45.53
Bessie Evans 7.26
Hazle Smith 7.26
Lenore Williams 42.92
Evelyn Jones 15.97
Gwyn Winters 41.32
Goldie Womelsdorf 39.97
May Conlon 56.23
Nellie Sheridan 29.47
Katherine Dymond 32.52
Mrs. Hilda Hogg 45.87
Mary Sinko 23.61
Bessie Fadden 66.77
Esther Lynn 55.16
Laura Hughes 57.82
Annette Schofield 31.35
Susan Sable 43.16
Sister Angela 35.42
Ethel Jordon 31.35
Sarah Wilson 7.46
Arline Hale 10.50
Helen Wheatley 33.00
Katherine Longshore 40.81
Ruth Jones 47.52
Verda Vivian 39.46
Beth Porter 47.52
Margaret Larkin 47.52
Ada Bachstein 34.57
Dorothy Tennyson 39.46
Edna Bachstein 26.23
Eleanor Brown 26.23
Mrs. E. Silvara 40.00
Irene Lewis 40.00
Ruth Rae 40.00
Lida Tucker 50.00
Margaret Burns 37.29
Rose Costello 47.33
May Williams 62.00
Clara Campbell 20.00
Emily Sprake 5.50
Mrs. P. Hanson 89.83
Jessie Cunningham 14.00
Leslie Covert 42.00
George Berry 57.00
Ernest Wright 6.00
Mrs. Margaret Jacobs 19.02
Elizabeth Williams 15.97
Anna McNulty 81.29
Florence Desh 11.61
Mrs. Lena Krum 7.26
Margaret Griesmer 44.23
Ellen McGuigan 54.73
Olwen Williams 41.32
Kathleen Bishop 10.16
Mrs. Jean Langford 29.42
Gertrude Lenahan 20.32
Mildred Perry 50.32
Madge Heffron 47.56
Mary Roache 2.90
Alice Fuller 43.06
Mrs. James Lockett 11.61
Leyl VanHoesen .46
Mrs. F. T. Mitchell 31.16
Anna Boyle 7.40
Sister Pierre 41.23
Anna McMenanin 23.96
Olive Carle 4.35
Jeanette Washington 7.50
Alice McCarty 18.00
Irene McGinty 10.50
Margaret Andes 40.81
Ellen Davis 47.52
Mary Humphrey 47.52
Margaret Porter 47.52
Agnes Riley 39.46
Mable Davis 24.19
Katherine Gaffikin 47.52
Mildred Weathers 47.48
Anna Tobias 50.00
Maria Blazick 54.84
Irma Goodale 56.39
Catherine Thomas 59.68
Ann Shanghnessy 13.33
Mrs. G. L. Todd 46.51
Anna Yanalovitch 85.48
Mary Koseck 82.26
Millie Heslop 88.71
Eleanor Martin 66.13
Mrs. Ann Davies 15.00
Helen Yablonski 29.09
Anna Eaton 67.20
Edith Franklin 56.46
Mary Mieczkoski 69.93
Margaret Burke 47.96