US_Ch4_webquest-other_examples

=**Other Examples of Private Citizens in Natural Disasters**= __Objective__: To explain the role of government in the late 19th/early 20th century in terms of disasters.

A similar but less disastrous flood took place in Dayton, Ohio in 1913. The disaster response and crisis management by the private sector set a pattern that was followed for years. John H. Patterson was the owner of the National Cash Register Company (NCR) and helped lead relief efforts. He turned his company into a rowboat company to help rescue those stranded on roof tops. In addition, NCR headquarters would provide housing and a medical station with dining (2,700 meals a day) and even made room for pianos to play hymns and other music. NCR paid for the entire relief train of medicine and also handled law enforcement until the National Guard arrived.


 * 6. How did John Patterson use his business for relief efforts?**

The business community and individual citizens, using their own initiatives, had saved the city, while the government contributed very little. Like Johnstown, nearby communities sent supplies. The Citizens' Relief Committee (led mostly by Dayton businessmen) inspected all grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants, and schools. They disinfected each place before reopening. The Red Cross came as well and used the NCR building to set up. The committee set up a department to help businesses reopen giving out grants to help. Furthermore, NCR employees were given full pay for two weeks even when there was no business. NCR also made contributions at a time when there weren't tax deductions for contributions. Managers at NCR worked 14 hours a day in relief assistance.

When Dayton got back to normal, business leaders joined the development of the Miami Conservatory District, which was a massive effort at water control and flood relief. They purchased 30,000 acres of land over 9 counties. Patterson got help from another Dayton businessman, Arthur Morgan, who ran a local engineering business and worked as a drainage engineer for the Agriculture Department. Morgan wanted to create a plan that would endure hundreds of years and saw that a series of earthen dams - hills - would need to be made to control flooding. Their aim was to build a system to sustain double the 1913 flood levels that would protect the whole Miami Valley, not just Dayton. In 1937, a storm of nearly equal magnitude struck, but was controlled even though other states saw damage. Opponents of business criticized them of greed and that it was all big money grab to set up large electric power plants. Morgan responded by organizing supporters for state hearings and he got approval for the plan. The District did pay lower wages than most other sectors, but at the same time the District never had to look for employees due to exceptional working conditions. As a result, Morgan and the District lived up to the promise that Dayton would never suffer from another flood.


 * 7. How did the "tycoons" who had "oppressed" average workers with their wealth and power prove to be important?**

Business leaders went above and beyond any expectations to save their community. Critics say their plans didn't consult //the people//, but it's not //the people// but //individuals// who were effective in relief. When //the people// were on roof tops in the flood, //individuals// came to their rescue and efforts were conducted by units of heroes led by one man (or in terms of the Red Cross, one woman). If not for Patterson and NCR, it would've taken Dayton years to recover. Dayton and Johnstown knew that if they relied on the government instead of friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens not only would relief have taken longer, it may never have come.

In 1900, a hurricane hit in Galveston, Texas putting 1/3 of the city under water and killing 1,900. The mayor set up a relief commission of citizens who would organize recovery efforts. A building committee formed and built 483 homes for $350 each. Railroads gave free passes to those who wanted to relocate. Money poured in from the Red Cross. Within three weeks, the consumer economy recovered.

On April 18, 1906, an earthquake in San Francisco (7.8 on the Richter Scale) resulted in over 3,000 deaths with 80% of the city destroyed. The U.S. Army came in and proved of valuable service, but there was also heroism of Italian banker Amadeo Peter Giannini. Giannini was awoken in San Mateo and took a train as far as he could, then ran, walked and hitched to San Francisco where one of his banks had $80,000 with no safe place to keep it. However, he was able to get to the bank and get the money home without being robbed (keep in mind much of the city was destroyed and many had lost everything). Despite the government's prohibition against banks opening, he reopened the Bank of Italy. He didn't have enough to cover all deposits (had $80,000 but deposits were over $840,000). He correctly thought people were hoarding gold and therefore was able to loan people 1/2 of what they said they needed. He was able to loan money and collect interest without his bank defaulting. San Francisco was rescued even when the government said no. As in the other cases, citizens donated large amounts of food and money. The government merely would fulfill its Constitutional obligations to protect the public and property.


 * 8. What role did the government play vs. private citizens and businesses in natural disasters in the late 19th/early 20th centuries?**

So, when did the government start to get more involved in natural disasters? Click here to continue.