The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-11
Preparations for Relief Work Among
the Hurricane Sufferers.


Aid will be given literally to the suf.
ferers at Galveston by the Government
Before the departure of Mr. Mckinley fol
Somerset, Pa. yesterday morning, he re-
ceived a telegram from Mr.. Spellane. Of
Houston, Tex, pleading for Government
aid in the awful calamity that has over
taken Galveston. The message repre-
sented that there was need for assistance
as quickly as it could be rushed to the
stricken city.
The President sent the following mes
sage 20 Governor Sayers:
Washington, D. c., Sept. 10.
ITO Hon. Joseph D. Sayers, Governor,
Austin. Texas:
''The reports of the great calamity
which has befallvn Galveston and 9TH
er points on the coast of Texas excite
my profound sympathy for sufferers,
as they will stir the hearts Of the whole
country. Whatever help 1t is possible
TO give shah be gladly extended Have
directed the Secretary of War to sup
ply rations and tents upon your re-
quest. WILLIAM MCKINLEY"
Later in the day Governor Savers re-
Piled:
Very many thanks for your Telegram. Your
action viii be greatly appreciated, and CRATE
fully remembered by the people of Texas. /
have this day requested the Secretary Of War
to forward IItions and tents to Galveston
Mr.. Mckinley also telegraphed the
mayor Of Galveston, promising tents and
food for hurricane sufferers. At the
same time General McKibbin, command
ing the Department of Texas, with head
quarters at San Antonio. was ordered to
make personal investigation of the sit
uation at Galveston. He will proceed at
once to the stricken city to learn what
can be done in the way of relief
Late yesterday afternoon Governor Say
crs telegraphed G. d. Meikleiohn, Acting
Secretary of War. as follows;
please direct to be sent as quick
ly as possible to the mayor of Calves
ton for the use OF sufferers so 600 ra-
tions and goo tents
This request was turned over to Adju-
tant General Corbin, who Immediately
consulted Quartermaster General Luding-
ton and Acting Commissary General Wes-
ton. Orders were at once prepared direct
ing that the relief supplies be Skinned
without delay. number Of the tents had
to be sent from the Quartermasters depot
at Washington and will not reach Gal
weston for two or three days. About 500
were ordered sent from the Southern
posts, however, and will reach the suffer
ers some time this evening General Wes-
ton sent the following despatch to the
commissary cfiicer at San Antonio:
"Cnder authority of Secretary of
War ship to mayor of Galveston, Tex,
90, coo rations for use of storm suffer-
ers Ship as many as you can from
your depot at San Antonio and call on
st. Louis and other depots for balance
and TO replenish stores shipped from
San Antonio depot. Inform this office
OF your action by wire. Ship at once"
Assistant Secretary Spaulding has or
DEF ed the revenue cutters Algonquin and
Onondaga to proceed at once to Calves
ton. They are now at Wilmington and
Norfolk respectively, and it will be four
or five days before they can reach the
scene OF the disaster II is hoped that
they can do much good in carrying for
ward relief work. The revenue cutter
Galveston, one of the best boats in the
service, was at the storm-swept port on
station duty Nothing has been heard of
her. but it is feared that she may have
sunk with other shipping in the harbor.