The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-11
BALTIMORE CITIZENS
RESOLVE TO COMMENCE
REBUILDING THE CITY
Federal Troops VIII Replace State
Militia in Guarding Wealth
in Ruins.
PEOPLE MORE CHEERFUL
Merchants Will Resume Business
in Shacks to Hold Trade-No
DeStitution.

BALTIMORE, Feb. 1O.-The situation in
stricken Baltimore began to visibly clear
to-day after a conference at the Belvidere
Hotel between Mayor McLane, a special
joint committee of the Legislature and
formidable delegation of representative
business men, This conference was ar
ranged with a view of meeting in practi-
cal way the awful eXigency which this COM
munity now faces. At this meeting. be-
sides the mayor, there were present infiu-
entail members of the State law-making
body the Board of Public Works, dozen
bank presidents, former Governor Smith,
United States Senator-elect Rayner and sew
eral of the leading citizens.
The supreme question to be decided was
that of calling upon the national govern
ment for soldiers to take the places of
the two State militia regiments now doing
police duty in the burned district. The
| constitution of Maryland requires that no
such request can be made of the President
except by authority of the State Legisla-
| ture The executive committee was present
to hear the views of the mayor and officers
of the city on that point. A brief discus
sion showed the belief of those present that
this is not a time for sentiment. as to the
| and that the United States soldiers were
needed and needed at once.
Mayor McLane was particularly insistent
| that to efficiently guard the hundreds OF
millions of treasure that lie buried be-
meath the smoldering ruins called for the
strong arm of the federal soldiers. The an
nouncement of the executive committee
| that il would recommend al once the I'M
mediate passage of the necessary resolu-
| ton was received with pleasure by the OIL
| GERS and business men present and now that
he ic1o f1tra has
| every assurance that national GORDON
| around the devastated region will inspire
| feeling of hopeful confidence in the
| future.
AN EMERGENCY COMMITTEE.
Mayor McLane's announcement that he
will appoint an emergency committee OF
citizens to act as an advisory board to
| municipal officials is a great step forward
| in the way of putting the situation upon
| a practical businesslike shape.
The opening to-day of the boardroom by
| the Chamber of Commerce and the receipt
! of quotations, the uninterrupted shipments
of grain cargoes, the certainty of State aid
| and the notification by some of the large
| insurance companies of their readiness TO
pay 50 per cent. on losses and the action
| of the Legislature in asking for federal
| troops constitute a chain of incidents which
Y
ton of public confidence and cheerfulness.
| Late this afternoon Mayor McLane re-
considered his previous determination TO an
| nounce that he would accept outside aid. On
| this subject he said The situation here
| does not justify such action. There is no
destitution as yet / cannot tell what may
| follow. We have board of charities which
looks after the cty's destitute. OF course 1t
| may yet be necessary to ask for outside
financial aid. In the course OF the next
| few days l will be in better position to
definitely decide upon this matter. We
| have received by contribution from various
| cities about $7.OoO and additional offers of
thousands of dollars have been made. There
| is no doubt that Baltimore has taken
| fresh courage to-day. On all the streets
AUDITING upon the desolated districts signs
| have appeared on windows and over door
| ways announcing the temporary resump-
| ton of business in various lines The best
| citizens have taken hold of the Herculean
| task of resurrection with a will that be-
| tokens complete success. The pervading
| sentiment was well portrayed by Governor
| Warfield, who said to-day Baltimore will
| rise glorious from her ashes