In a statement "to the citizens of Asheville," issued yesterday by the executive committee of the Citizens' Flood Relief organization, and signed by Herbert D. Miles, treasurer, the announcement is made that over $13,000 has been subscribed to the fund, and that more than $5,000 of this amount has so far been paid out. The committee deplores the impression abroad that more money has been subscribed than shall be necessary, and refers to the prospects for a hard winter in store for the very poor of the city.

The statement follows:

"The executive committee of the Citizens' Flood Relief organization, by T. J. Harkins, general chairman, and Herbert D. Miles, chairman of finance, desires to state that it deplores the impression that has gone abroad to the effect that more money has been subscribed to the flood relief fund than has been or shall be, necessary. This statement, however, is not to be construed as an appeal for more.

"The facts in the matter are, as stated through the press by Mr. Harkins, that the funds subscribed are more than is required for the emergency relief comprised in the work already done; that is, in the period between the time of the flood and the present date. It would be tragical if this were not the case. An inevitable reaction must set in, affecting many who have been at first cared for by friends or neighbors; also, perhaps, a reaction from the strong demand for workers in the cleaning up and reconstruction. So the demands for relief will be persistent, in many cases, through the entire fall and winter.

"The coming winter is to be, undoubtedly, one of the hardest winters for the very poor that Asheville has seen. Our requirements in the expenditure of flood relief money for furniture and household goods will soon cease, but the requirements for food and clothing, and later for coal and medicine, are to continue. A complete record of the persons and families aided through the flood relief fund is on hand, kept by Miss Weaver, superintendent of the Associated charities of Asheville, whose regular office has been temporarily put into other hands while she acts as supervisor over all direct flood relief. This record will be very valuable throughout the winter. Our aid has been extended freely, not only to Asheville sufferers, but to farmers and others outside of Asheville who had lived along the river bottoms and lost practically thir all. The distress of these people is not wholly relieved by the furnishings of food, clothing and household goods now; they will have a very hard winter.

Over $13,000 Subscribed.

"The total of the flood relief fund amounts to over $13,000, and almost all of it has been paid in. Up to date more than $5,000 has been paid out, the bulk of which has gone for new furniture, household goods and food. This has been bought carefully and distributed with due regard to the condition of each applicant, as to the quantity and quality given. Owing to the fact that several thousand dollars; worth of second-hand material has been donated—largely clothing—our expenditure of cash have been conserved to this extent during the time of emergency.

"The donors to the flood relief fund are practically identical with Asheville's regular donors to the fund of the Associated charities covering its annual budget. It had been the intention of the directors of the Associated charities to approach these citizens as usual, about the first of September, for their subscriptions in cash. Considering the facts as stated, it is our belief that these donors will prefer, (in view of the administrative officers of the Associated charities and the administrative officers of the flood relief fund being largely the same), that the balance remaining on hand, after a month of more of emergency flood relief, shall stand as their individual contributions to cover the work jointly of the regular Associated charities and such continued flood relief work as shall be demanded, for the coming year.

"Therefore, it is the purpose of the executive committee of the flood relief organization, unless a recognizable protest shall develop in the meantime, to make on or about September 1, a public statement covering the work done and the amounts expended in the emergency flood relief, together with the certificate of an auditing committee. It is further their purpose to follow this by turning over to the treasurer of the Associated charities of Asheville such balance as shall be remaining, to be expended for purposes and upon the conditions above outlined."