The evening Republican., 1902-05-13
RELIEF FOR SUFFERERS.
Prompt Action Taken by President
and Congress.

WASHINGTON, May 13.-The house
has passed by an overwhelming vote
bill granting 100000 for the relief
of the sufferers in the great calamity
In the West Indies. The bill was d
substitute for the relief measure pass
ed by the senate and followed the re-
ceipt of a message from the president
setting forth the magnitude of the ca
lamity and urging an appropriation of
$5OO,O0O. A special meeting of the ap.
preparation committee was held to ia
cilitate action on the bill, and 1t was
reported to the house within short
time after the receipt of the presidents 8
message. Mr.. Hemenway, the acting
chairman of the appropriation COM
mittee. explained that the amount was
limited to 100000 owing to the fact
that large private contributions were
being made. The discussion was brief
Mr.. Underwood (AIa.) being the only
one to speak in opposition. The bill
was passed by 1876 votes to 8.
The president proceeded with the
greatest energy to give shape to the re-
lief measure. Secretary Hay was call
ed and brought with him the dispatch
from United States Consul Ayme
which served as official confirmation of
the worst reports of the extent of the
disaster and in tAe opinion of the presi-
dent fully justXed emergency meas
ures. Secretary Hay was requested to
acquaint Secretary Root and Secretary
Moody with the presidents message,
and they We're charged to carry out the
details Of the arrangements. The treas
ury department was instructed to CO.
operate, and 1t is supposed that this
will mean the employment of the reve
nue. cutters and the medical officers Of
the marine hospital service.
The war department. with its well Or
ganiZed supply departments, was re-
garded as in better position than any
other institution to take charge of the
relief measures, except that it had no
means Of transportation, the Sedgwick,
which is out of commission, being the
only army transport on the Atlantic
coast Fortunately the navy had han
dy ship in the Dixie, which arrived at
New York recently from training
cruise. She was purchased just prior
to the Spanish war and, having been
merchant freighter, is admirably adapt
ed to the service required for her now.
Secretary Moody Immediately tele-
graphed orders to Captain Berry, her
commander, to ship any supplies that
are offered him and to sail at the ear
liest possible moment for Martinique.
He was authorized to extend relief to
other islands if he found any necessity
for so doing Navigation bureau Off
GERS estimated that she can be coaled
and provisoned and got under way
tomorrow evening.
The scientific departments Of the
government will avail Of the opportu-
nifty to send on the Dixie as passengers
or observers two professors from the
geological survey. A Harvard volcano
specialist will also be given passage.
The United States cruiser Buffalo, also
converted merchant freighter, will be
used as II relief ship il the Dixie does
not suffice
The quartermaster's supplies to he
transported on the Dixie will include
about 500 tents, suitable clothing for
men. women and children and camp
equipage, such as axes, shOvels, ket-.
ties, frying pans and cooking utensils.
The subsistence supplies include about
500, 900 ratiOns.
Captain Yates Stirling, commandant
of the naval station at San Juan, por-
to Rico, has notified the navy depart.
ment that the collier Sterling is being
loaded there with voluntary contribu-
tions of supplies and will leave for
Martinique as soon as possible. /