The San Francisco call., 1906-05-21
RELIEF PLANS
ARE DISCUSSED.
Representative Irishmen
Meet at St. Peters
Hall.
Father Yorke Speaks of
the Necessity of Or.
ganization.

Representative lrlSnmen met IN ST.
Peters Hall, Twentyfourth and Ala
bama streets, yesterday to formulate
plans for the relief Of those Of their
nationality who were rendered home
less and destitute by the fire.
The Rev. p. C. Yorke was the CEN
trail figure in the gathering, and out
lined It's objects. He moved many of
his auditors as he drew a vivid pic
ture Of the past and OF the future.
He said in part:
1.-The object Of the organization Of
the Irish societies is to determine
what is best for the people Of our
race. The people are sorely distressed
since the desolation. but they have
with hands ready to work. No other
nationality suffered SO much as the
Irish.
1--WE must take counsel and ask the
aid Of our people beyond the Rock
les, in Canada and over the seas. We
have not seen the worst Of our
troubles yet The depression and des-
titution are to come. They have fol-
lowed in the wake Of all calamities.
and there Is no hope that we will
escape after the destruction Of the
city. When the free distribution of
food and clothing ends and when as
sistance from the outside world ceases
then will come the greatest woe.
There will be many dependents,
and we of the Irish race must stand
shoulder to shoulder to help our peo-
pie in their dire distress. The Irish
people OF this city have responded
quickly to every call made upon them
and we will not appeal in vain to our
brethren. We must send out our ap-
peal as united body. I recommend
that each society meet and then frame
an appeal to the Irish throughout the
world. The appeal must come from
each society, as 1 cannot be identified
with 1t If there are any not In SYM
pathy with the movement.
"The greatest credit Is due every
organized body in Oakland for the
noble work they have done in caring
for the refugees Of this city.
What are you going to do with the
children? The Catholic church takes
care of the orphan and the half-or-
phan The first matter that needs at
tention is the care Of the children.
You must take care of them now. It
is not charity. but your duty.
What to do with the working girls
Is another vital question. They must
be cared for and guarded from the
pitfalls and snares that are laid for
them.
THE aged men and women who
have had their little completeness
swept away must be sheltered in their
declining years. There is a great
problem of setting up our people in
business. 1 believe we should estab-
1iSh raUn1vi1 fyrrd fa
their feeet We want to get our peo-
pie employment, and I commend the
labor bureau at City Hall square
I'VE want unity in thought and ac-
ton. We are the most stricken and
helpless people and our appeal will be
heard in every land. Our people In
Ireland are not rich, but 1t Is known
the poor are always the most gener-
Gus to the poor"
Father Yorke predicted that a finer
and a better San Francisco will be
built than that which existed before.
Father Yorke said be felt sure a
large sum could be raised. and was
loudly applauded when he said he
would go on the road and speak for
the purpose of raising funds. His
plan for the distribution was to have
all the money placed in the hands of
a committee of three well-known men
not prominently identified with any
Irish society. They would disburse
the money upon the order Of an advis-
ory committee of seven or nine men
who are identified with Irish societies
The money would thus be expended
honestly and wisely.
Upon motion Of T. J. Mellott. the
meeting approved Of the plan out
lined by Father Yorke It was de-
cided that each society meet and vote
on the action taken yesterday. They
were also requested to send one dele
gate each, where they are not now
represented, to a meeting to be held
in the same hall next Sunday.