Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-04
FOR ITALIAN RELIEF
100000 IS VOTED
Congress Quickly Appropriates
for Earthquake Sufferers.
SETS UP A new RECORD
Largest Amount Ever Given by
Government for Relief.
ACTION URGED BY PRESIDENT
No Opposition in House-Only
Bailey in Senate Objected.
Doubts Authority to Take
the Step Proposed.

Congress today appropriated
$4,000 for the relief of the
stricken people in the Italian
earthquake zone.
This, the most generous fund
ever contributed by the American
people for the succor of sufferers
in other lands, is to supplement
the dispatch of the supply ships
Celtic from New York and the
Culgoa from Port Said for Mes
sina with their big cargoes of
necessaries, originally intended
for the American fleet, diverted
to the immediate use of the Ital-
ian victims.
President Roosevelt, in special mes
sage to Congress today, asked for direct
appropriation of $4,000 for the relief OF
the Italian earthquake sufferers.
At the conference at the White House
last night, which was attended by Speak
er Cannon, the sum of 5000 was agreed
upon as the amount which should be ap-
propriated. That sum was included in
the act drafted by the appropriations
committee. Ten minutes before the
House of Representatives convened today
the Speaker received a letter from the
White House suggesting that the amount
be increased to 100000. Before any ac-
ton could be taken by the committee
on appropriations the House was in re-
ceipt OF the Presidents message on the
subject At the hurried meeting of the
committee in front of the Speakers desk
the amount was increased to conform
with the Presidents later recommends
ton.
Almost Immediately after the chap
lain's prayer Mr.. Latta, one of the Presi-
dents secretaries, appeared in the cham
ber with the message. which follows:
President Urges Appropriation.
ITO the Senate and House of Represent
tativeS: :.
THE appalling calamity which has be-
fallen the people of Italy is followed by
distress and suffering throughout a wide
region among many thousands who have
escaped with life out whose shelter and
food and means of living are destroyed.
The ordinary machinery for supplying~tife
wants of civilized communities iss para
lyZed, and AN exceptional emergency eX-
lists which demands that the obligations
of humanity shall regard no limit of ma
tional lines.
"The immepse debt of civilization to
Italy: the warm and steadfast friendship
between, that country and our own: the
affection for their native land felt by
great numbers of good American citizens
who are immigrants from Italy, the
abundance with which God has blessed us
in our safety. all these should prompt
us to immediate and effective zrelief. =.
Private generosity is responding nobly
to the demand by contributions through
the safe and efficient channel OF the
American Red Cross Society.
Confident of your approval, have or
dered the government supply ships Celtic
and Culgoa to the scene of disaster,
where, upon receiving the authority which
dispense food, clothing and other supplies
with which they are laden to the value
of about 100000. The Celtic has already
sailed and the CulSoa is at Port Said.
Eight vessels of the returning, battleship
fleet are already under orders for Italian
waters and that government Ehas been
asked if their services scanE be made suse-
fu. - r. <-rh
II recommend that the Congress ap-
prove the4 4apDlication of supniiess. above
indicated and further appropriate the sum
of SJ0o.oo0 to be applied to the work OF
relief at the discretion Of the executive
and with. the consent of the Italian Cow
ernInent.
"Psuggest that the law follow the form
.of. that passed after the Mount ;Pelee dis
THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
''The White House.
January l.. 1899. y ~ =
Aft6r ithe message had been read tho
members. OF the committee ion ,anproprj-
atiOnS at once were Severally called tD :
the Speakers desk for conference with
the eldea in view of obviating the refer
ence of the matter To committee. as eusu-
ally would be done. 1t was then agreed
to increase the amount to ssOO,O00. =
Appropriation Quickly Granted.
Mr. Bingham (Pa) secured unanimous
consent for the immediate consideration
of the following resolution for relief in
accordance with the Presidents message,
which was passed amid great applause:
That TO enable the President Of the
United States to procure and distribute
among the suffering and destitute people
of Italy such provisions clothing, n1eci-
cines and other necessary articles and to
take such other steps as he shah deem
advisable for the purpose of resciing and
succoring the people who are In. peril and
threatened with starvation the sum OF
Ssoo,0OV Is hereby appropriated ont of any
moneys in the Treasury not otherwisetap-
I'm the execution of this act the Presi-
dent is requested to ask and obtain the ap-
proval of the Italian government and he
Is hereby authorzed to employ any ves-
sells of the United Statss Navy and To
charter and employ any other suitable
steamship or vessels -
Immediately another resolution was
unanimously adopted expressing the pro-
found sorrow of the House for the calam.
ity. and requesting that a copy be sent to
the President to-be communicated to the
people of Italy. L.
Senate Acts Promptly.
{ The Senate'w was in the midst of morning
business. when, Mr.. Latta arrived there
with the ,message from the President,
In,Inediat tely" after the message had been
read Senator Hale smoved that 1t be n.
ferred 10. the committee on appropriations.
He said that this action was not for delay.
but to give the committee an opportuni