Evening star., 1900-10-15
IN BEHALFO THEHOMELESS
MEETING HELD IN INTEREST OF
SUFFERING TEXANS.
sum of $500 Contributed to the Cause
Red Cross Society to
Dfsburse 1t.

iliary of the American National Red cross,
an audience numbering many hundred
prominent residents of the capital city was
present yesterday afternoon at the mass
meeting held in the National Theater for
the purpose of raising funds for the 1ur-
ther assistance of the storm-stricken peo-
pie of Galveston. AS soon as communlca-
tion With the gulf city was reopened after
the great hurricane Miss Clara Barton,
president, and Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey
vice president OF the Red Cross, hurried
to the scene of wreckage and Immediately
began organizing for relief in the name OF
the society they represented. Since that
time the work of the society has continued
uninterruptedly. The Red Cross mas ma,
terially assisted in relieving the general
distress, and now ii has undertaken addf-
tional measures. it being pointed out that
with the approach of winter the suffering
among the homeless will be widespread un-
less there be means for housing the people
who lost their all.
The meeting in this city yesterday was
held under the auspices of the Red Cross
and was presided over by Mr.. John B.
Wight, former president of the board of
District Commissioners. The United States
Marine Band, under direction OF William
II. Santelmann, rendered a program during
the afternoon, the playing Of the soldier
musicians being a delightful feature of the
occasion. In the boxes were representa-
tives of the diplomatic corps. On the stage
were seated members of the Washington
auxiliary of the Red Cross and the speak
ers of the afternoon.
Aggregate of Collections.
AT the conclusion Of the several addresses
collection was made, and 1t is
estimated that over $500 will be forwarded
to Galveston this week from the receipts
in cash and pledges. Rev. Alexander
Mackay-Smith. who was unable to be pres
ent, sent his check for $50.
prelude by the band and a prayer by
Rev. Randolph H. McKim were the open
ing features. Chairman Wight spoke brief
ly of the purpose of the meeting. and read
telegram from the mayor of Galveston
recitng the present conditions there. Mr..
Wight introduced Rev. Father casey of st.
A1oysius Church, who spoke in place of
Father Stafford, the latter being unavoid-
ably detained elsewhere. Father Casey
read letter from Bishop N. A. Gallagher
of Galveston calling attention to the ne
cessity for continued assistance to the
5000 homeless people in that city. Father
Casey spoke graphically of the disaster,
and in conclusion paid a tribute to the
Red Cross anu ITS work. saying every one
ing and word of prayer.
Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey, recently re-
turned from Galveston, spoke most inter
estingly Of the work now going on She
read telegram received from Miss Barton
who Is now in Galveston. 1t was as fol-
lows:
Friends of humanity: 1t brings you very
near to me. in that you are working for the
same cause in that dear city Of my home
that / am working for within this wrecked
city Of yours. Could there be a stronger
bond? / have no need to tell you of the
conditions existing here. In your audience
are those who waded up to their shoulders
through that night of horror, facing death
every moment. Let them speak for me, for
and for you. 1t is only for
me TO tell you that all is being done here
that can be done by men and women. They
need the help of the sympathizing world
outside a little longer, and Galveston will
be herself again. God bless you in your
efforts. 1t is the capital of the nation
from which you speak. Let the nation
hear"
Mrs. Mussey's Appeal.
Mrs. Mussey. after describing the scenes
anent her trip into Galveston, said:
THE men are working. but how can you
expect this to last. when they have no
homes to go to? Wife may be in one place
and child in another, or the family may
live in a tent on the beach. There is not a
house in the town which was not visited;
some were entirely washed away, many
have no roofs and there is hardly vestige
Of what were once happy homes. 1t is a
peculiar thing about the people of Calves
ton that they never speak of death or of
the dead. Ask them where their homes or
their families are and the invariable reply
Is, They are all gone -
Mr.. E. B. Hay, who has just returned
from a trip TO Europe, spoke next. Mr.
Hay described Galveston in it's season of
as he had found it upon visit
some time before the recent disaster. At
the time of the hurricane, Mr.. Hay said.
he was in Paris. Hardly had the news
been received there when the sum of $4,000
was raised among the American colony
and Immediately dispatched to Gov Sayers
Mr.. Hay referred to the disastrous floods
the world has known and of the relief al
ways afforded by a generous Christian peo-
pie. He said all the world was interested
In relieving the distress of Galveston but
that Washington and other American cit
les must show the way. He closed with an
eloquent appeal for generous contributions
Mr.. Simon Wolf was the last speaker of
the afternoon. Mr.. Wolf spoke in terms of
highest praise OF the Red Cross and said
ne was as proud to wear its badge as he
would be decoration from an emperor
Rev. John Van Schaick, pastor of the
Church of Our Father, pronounced the ben
ediction.
Changes at Police Statfnu