The Washington times., 1902-05-13
TRYING TO PURCHASE
CARG0ES OF F00DSTUFFS
Norris K. Jesup Negotiating for Provi-
sions Now on the Way to
the West Indies.


more leads of provisions now afoat in
the West Indies, send them to Fort de
France. and give them to the French
authorities, was the problem that Morris
K. Jesup. president of the 'hamber of
commerce, laid before himself today. and
spent most OF the day working or It, He
has called a relief meeting of .he cham
ber for Wednesday. at 12:3o =. m, but
has gone at the business en- lis own re-
sponsibility in anticipation Of what the
chamber will do.
The steamship Madiana, of the Quebec
Steamship Company. arrived at st. Thom-
as from this port on Sunday evening.
Her pert of destination was st. Pierre,
but as there is no ST.. Pierre left. she
will go to Fort de France. She would
se due there in the ordinary course OF
events on Friday next, but II some or all
Z her intermediate stops could be cut
cat. she could get to Fort de France pos
s.bly by Wednesday night.
Plenty Of Provisions.
Whether or not This change in her itin
erary can be made has not yet been de-
,ded. She has on board a cargo bulk Of
l.s0O barrels, OF which i,5Go barrels were
destined for 81. Pierre, and consist al
most entirely Of provisions. such as beef.
91rk, -four, corn meal, oieomar6arine,
nd lard. Mr.. a. J. OuterbridFe, OF she
Quebec Line, said today that there would
be enough food in these 1900 barrels bulk
of provisions, to say nothing of the re-
manning 900 bulk destined for other
islands. to supply the sufferers in Mar
Unique for something like two weeks
Mr. Jesup was endeavoring today to
make arrangements to purchase outright
all the provisions on the Madiana and
give them to the authorities at Fort de
France for distribution. In the forenoon
he sent this message to the French gov
ernment at Paris, to be forwarded to the
authorities of Fort de France: New
York Chamber of Commerce meets 18th
to take action aid sufferers Martinique.
President of chamber willing to autici-
pate needs by sending $4,000 francs to be
used for immediate necessities If you
think best
The consignees of the goods were resi-
dead Mr.. Outerbridge was busy today
hunting out the consignors in this city
and getting their consent to the purchase
OF the foodstuffs.
Still Another Cargo.
There Is still another vessel laden with
provisions which Mr. Jesup was In hopes
might be diverted to the use of the people
of Martinique. This also is Quebec Line
steamer-the Caribbee. 1000 tons. due TO
arrive at the Barbados tomorrow. The
Caribbee is laden almost exclusively with
foodstuffs consigned in about equal guam
titles to Barbados and Demarara.
Mr.. Outerbridge said today that he was
in doubt whether the foodstuffs on this
ship could be purchased, for the reason
that the people of Barbados are also very
short of provisions, and the shortage will
be still greater on account of the loss of
the Roraima, which had on board a large
quantity of food destined for Barbados.
Mayor Low today made the following
statement with reference to New Yorks
relief work:
The appalling calamity at Martinique
and st. Vincent Islands makes an appeal
to the generosity of New York that | am
sure will not be disregarded. 1t is evident
that help will be needed on a large scale
and needed promptly. | am glad to per-
ceive that the chamber of commerce is to
hold a special meeting on Wednesday to
take steps for raising a suitable relief
fund. If there are any who wish to trans
init money for this purpose through the
mayor, / shall be glad to receive it, and
to transmit II to its destination through
he rlamlar of commit
hope that New York will maintain its old
time reputation for liberal giving"
Funds Left Over.
The joint committee of the chamber of
commerce and the Merchants Association
appointed for the relief of Jacksonville
has a balance of about $1,000 unexpended,
which will probably be turned over to such
as may be appointed hereafter
Tor use in the relief work for Martinique.
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