Excerpted from "Committee Will Meet in Raleigh Wednesday 4:30," Winston-Salem Journal, 25 July 1916.

Mr. Fries Suggestions

Mr. Fries' letter to Governor Craig as follows:

"Accept my thanks for the confidence which has been reposed in me as a member of the Flood Committee. We had a very interesting mass meeting of our citizens in reference to this matter on yesterday. A committee was appointed by the Retail Merchants Association of Winston-Salem, with which the organization of our City, and citizens generally, will co-operate.

"Subscription were taken in a number of our churches and Suday Schools on yesterday, and some collections have already been made and funds forwarded. In addition to cash contributions, a number of our people are sending to our Relief Committee clothing and articles of furniture. We realize that while the sufferers in the flooded districts may be reasonably comfortable at this season of the year, their greatest suffering will come next winter, because in many instances all their clothing, in addition to the furniture of the house, was swept away.

"Knowing as I do the character of the people in the flooded district as a sturdy, independent and honest people, who have heretofore relied upon their own resources, I feel that many of them would hesitate to become the recipients of charity, and some of the most deserving would hesitate to receive gifts. I, therefore, suggested to our committee on yesterday, and respectfully suggest to you, that the funds that are contributed be distributed by your committee through close co-operation with the county authorities in the various districts devasted by the floods.

Suggests Road Work

"It is well known that the public roads, highways and bridges have, in many instances, been washed away. I therefore think that the money contributed should be paid out in liberal wages to the sufferers in the flooded districts for the replacement of bridges and roads. In this way it will answer a double purpose. It will not only aid the needy, but in addition thereto will assist the local organization and counties most rapidly to replace and rebuild the great avenues of trade and travel. The expenditure of funds in this way will not in any way destroy the independence of the recipients, and will, I think, best serve the conditions which are confronting the devastated sections.

"I am sure that the committee would not hesitate, under these circumstances, to contribute funds to such families as are deprived of wage earners, through death or sickness due to the floods. Such cases are best known to the county authorities, and my judgment is that it would be unwise for the committee appointed by you, as outsiders who are not familiar with the conditions of the individuals, to attempt the distribution of funds, except though recognized legal and local channels.

Should Handle Situation

"The fact that this calamity has befallen our section proves that we will not in the future be free from a similar occurrence, and I am sure that the people of the State will respond liberally. The amounts expended should be expended so wisely that in the future the careful, helpful and intelligent plans devised by your committtee can be taken as a standard.

"Our mass meeting on yesterday was opposed to any request for governmental aid; we felt that our own people could and should handle the situation without an appeal to our National government"