Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-19
ACTION BY THE HOUSE
EXPRESSES SYMPATHY AND
AUTHORIZES GOVERNMENT AID.

The House adjourned yesterday afternoon
as an expression of profound sympathy"
for the San Francisco sufferers. First,
however, the following resolution offered
by Representative Kahn of California was
adopted:
Resolved, BY the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America, in Congress assembled, That the
Secretary of War be, and he is hereby,
authorized and directed to loan to the
mayors of the cities OF San Francisco,
Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda and such
other cities on the Pacific coast as have
sustained damage, under such regulations
and restrictions as he may deem proper q
sufficient number Of tents to temporarily
shelter such persons as may have been
rendered homeless and lost property by the
earthquake of this date, and attending
conf1agration, and to issue rations supplies
and render such other aid to such as are
destitute and unable to provide for them
selves.
BE 1t further provided, That the Sec
rotary of the Treasury and the Secretary
of the Navy are also hereby directed to
cooperate with the Secretary of War in
extending relief and assistance to the
stricken people herein referred to to the ex-
tent of the use of the naval vessels,
enue cutters and supplies under their con-
troll on the Pacific coast"
Mr.. Kahn rose to address the House just
as Representative Gillett of Massachusetts,
called up the District bill. Mr.. Gillett gave
way. Mr. Kahn said
The messages that have been coming
from San Francisco within the last hour
or two are of the most appalling nature.
The last l have heard is that ffty-four
blocks of San Francisco have been de-
stroyed, while the cities on the other side
Of tie bay also in a very terrible con-
dition. No doubt there is great loss of
life and very great suffering. Therefore
/ offer as a resolution that the War De-
partment and the Navy Department place
at the disposition of the mayor of San
Francisco such supplies as may be neces
sary'
The Speaker suggested that a resolution
of that character, authorizing the use and
disposition of public property, should be
in black and white and drawn with care,
and suggested that the gentleman prepare
such resolution, and offer it when COM
pleted. While Mr.. Kahn and Mr.. TaWney,
chairman OF the committee appropria-
tons, were preparing the resolution, the
consideration of the District bill was con-
tnued.
At 4:30 o'clock the committee arose and
Mar. Kahn was recognized. He read a tel
egram just received from the War De-
partment, stating that tifty-four blocks had
already been destroyed, and that 500 bodies
had been brought into the morgue, and
that Berkeley was demolished.
The resolution given above, which he had
prepared, then adopted
Mr.. Gill Of Maryland, who offered the
resolution of sympathy of the House to the
people of Baltimore after the terrible
Migration which destroyed that city, then
presented the following resolution
Resolved, by the House of Representa-
tives, That the sympathy of the House is
hereby extended to the people of the state
of California in this, the hour of their great
disaster and suffering, caused by the eX-
traordinaEy revolution of nature in that
state ana that as an expression of our
profound sympathy do now adjourn