The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-02-12
OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS OF BAL,
TIMoRE CONFER ON PRES
EMIT EMERGENCY.
FEDERAL SOLDIERS NEEDED
MARYLAND LEGISLATURE WILL
REQUEST TROOPS TO POLICE
BURNED DISTRICT.

Baltimore, Feb. 1.-THE situation
In stricken Baltimore began to visibly
clear Wednesday after a conference at
the Belevedere hotel between Mayor
McLane, a special joint committee of
the legislature and a large delegation
Of representative business men. This
conference was arranged with a view
Of meeting in a practical way the
awful exigency which this community
now faces. At this meeting, besides
the mayor there were present in.
auential members Of the state law
making body, the board of public
works. a dozen bank presidents, for
mer Governor Smith, United States
Senator-elect Rayner, and several OF
the leading citizens.
A brief discussion showed the be-
lief Of those present that this is not a
time for sentiment as to the ability of
the state to take care of itself and that
the United States soldiers were need
ed and needed at once. On this
score it was shown that the militia
men were already much exhausted by
their long continued sentry duty, that
they should be relieved in order that
they might return to their several 70
cations and that the militia on active
duty is costing the state $4,000 a day.
The constitution of Maryland requires
that no requests for federal troops can
be made Of the president except by au.
thority Of the state legislature.
Federal Troops to Police City.
Mayor McLane was particularly in
sistent that to effectually guard the
hundreds of millions of treasure that
lie. buried beneath the smouldering
ruins called for the strong arm OF the
federal soldiers. The announcement
of the legislative committee that it
would recommend at nee the imme.
date passage of the necessary resolu-
ton was received with pleasure by the
officers and business men present and
now that the legislature has formally
acted there is every assurance that a
national Gordon around the devastated
region will inspire a feeling of hope
full confidence in the future.
Mayor McI4ane will appoint an
emergency committee of citizens to
act as an advisory board to municipal
officials. Il
Within the past tw%enty-four hours
the business men of Baltimore have
been aroused in an extraordinary de-
gree to the Importance of doing every
thing possible to keep their trade ad-
vantages from slipping away. Mer.
chants and bankers conferred on this
subject and believe that it will require
the utmost vigilance to prevent the de-
Election of a considerable volume of
commerce to Philadelphia and New
York. The situation may be saved If
the debris can be cleared away and
temporary buildings erected within
four months, but a large percentage Of
the spring trade will be lost.
Restored Public Confidence. +
The opening of the board by the
chamber of commerce and the receipt
of quotations, the uninterrupted ship
ments of grain cargoes, the certainty
Of state aid and the notification by
some of the large insurance companies
of their readiness to pay so per cent
on losses, and the action of the legis-
lature in asking for federal troops,
constitute a chain of incidents which
have contributed materially to the
restoration of public confidence and
cheerfulness.
Mayor McI4ane has not fully de-
C1u0u 40 " ouCoA0O oAA' IN
A number of large vaults and safes
were opened Wednesday, and in each
of them the contents were found to
be in good condition. -Four hundred
thousand dollars in coin and legal
tender notes was taken from the
vaults of the Third National bank
and sent to the vaults of a bank out
side the fire district.
On all the streets abutting upon the
desolated districts signs have appear
ed on windows and yer doorways an
nouncing the temporary resumption OF
business in various lines. The best
citizens have taken hold of the her.
culean task of resurrection with a will
that betokens complete success. The
pervading sentiment was we'll por
trayed by Governor War1eld, who
said: Z.
Baltimore will rise gloriously from
her ashes"