New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-09
PLANNING FOR RELIEF.
TEN DAY HOLIDAY PERIOD
Offers of Assistance Pour into the
Stricken City.

Baltimore. Feb. Sin order 20 assist IN
strengthening out the tangle OF business affairs
caused BY the fire. Governor warfsld declared
to-day a legal holiday. The Governor also
called an extra session OF the legislature TO
meet this evening 20 empower him 90 declare
the city under martial law and suspend all
business for ten days The action was taken
after a conference with Attorney General Bryan.
when the Governor YVES advised that he ala not
have authority TO relieve the city authorities OF
responsibility without the authorization Of the
legislature.
Mayor McIane tonight gave tAe rorowing
statement 20 The Associated Press:
I wish YOU would say for that the IRE Il
now under control The people throughout the
country have been very kind 10 Us IN our ter
] rible calamity. and I cannot find words 20 ex-
/ press my appreciation We have had offers OF
assistance from nearly every large city IN the
! East and several offers from the West OF
course, there has yet been no relief system
adopted We do not know just how We stand,
] but I am now in conference with the marshal
on that subject. and viii be better able TO tell
| by tomorrow what relief measures il viii be
| necessary TO adopt.
II IS absolutely impossible even 10 approximate
the loss. IL viii be several days before any
thing like an accurate estimate can be given
The Board OF Insurance Commissioners also
| refuses TO estimate the loss. A prominent men,
Der OF the board said: 1T is impossible at this
| time to give an approximate estimate OF tho
loss. I would say from S1ooOo000o UP. It is
! safe TO say that the loss exceeds S100Oo0ooo"
Both branches Of the City Council held a spe-
cial meeting tonight and passed the following
preamble and resolution:
Whereas BY reason Of the great calamity that
has befallen this city, and
Whereas His honor the Mayor has requested
his excellency the Governor OF the State 20
declare a legal holiday for the relief OF the bust
! ness community OF THE city; and
Whereas, his honor the Mayor has ex-
pressed his intention OF calling the City Council
1 81 special session as soon as the occasion may
/ require; now. therefore. be II
1 Resolved by both branches OF the City Council.
That when 81 adjourns IL shall be 70 meet again
on February 10
The object % the resolution IS 20 have the
] Governor declare & ten day holiday This mat
ter was brought to the attention OF Mayor Nc
/ Lane and Governor FAIRFIELD earlier IN the day
by q delegation from the Chamber OF Commerce.
Shortly after noon the board OF managers OF
! the Chamber OF Commerce met at the Hotel
Rennert. Manager James c. German. OF the At
! lantic Transportation Company. called the meet
4 ing to order and explained its object. After a
brief discussion Il was unanimously agreed that
owing TO the chaotic condition OF business. Il was
/ necessary 20 ask the Governor 10 declare legal
] ten day holiday. and also 70 ask for extern
/ SIGN OF thirty days on ali legal papers. a com
/ nittee. composed OF John c. German. Robert
! Ramsey Blanchard Kendall. Charles w. Heus-
! Ter and J. n Wharton. was appointed TO wait
/ on the Governor and ask his cooperation IN
having the matter carried 10 a successful ter
Trlnation.
The destruction OF the power plant of the
] United Railway Company. which furnishes cleo
trio power TO the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
for its tunnel caused serious Inconvenience to
the latter company within the city limits.
Mayor McLane however. granted the company
the privilege Of using steam a motor power
until other arrangements can be made.
Scores Of kilograms were received by Mayor
! McLane proffe-ing assistance. They came from
Mayors o: cities. railway and other corpora
4 tons. and from prominent citizens all over tn.
country.
President Ramsey OF the Wabash and Western
Maryland railroads sent the following. telegram,
The Western Maryland Railroad Company
/ tenders its services ia handling or moving sup
plies Of any kind 10 aid Baltimore IN her terrible
/ calamity
/ Chairman Pierce OF the board OF directors ana
/ Nice-Presicent Landstreet will be IN Baltimore
! this afternoon. II there is anything tie rail-
road company can do. advise them direct.
The Mayor teIegraphed his thanks to Presi-
! dent Ramsey and said he would cheerfuny call
on the Western Maryland Railroad Company
! when necessary.
Late this evening Mayor McLane visited the
/ lower section OF the burned district with the
idea OF familiarizing himself with the conditions
existing there. and also enoeavoring to learn
what relief measures will be necessary.
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