The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-18
Working to Aid Sufferers.

Cherry, ILL.,, November 1.-Investiga-
tons made today by Attorneys George
w. Gordon and Charles Cheney Hyde.
representing the italian consul, disclosed
the almost ghoulish activities of several
lawyers seeking to represent death claims
on contingent fees. The consul, Guido
Sabetta, and his representatives uncov-
cred several cases among Italian wom-
en- who, bereft of the bread winners of
the families, had been approached by
lawyers who had sought to impose on
the ignorance and distracted condition
of the women.
"One Italian woman who lost her hus-
band and three sons was asked by some
shark to give him her case on a basis
of 80 per cent said Mr.. Hyde I'VE
uncovered similar cases with startling
frequency and have been kept busy all
day warning the women to seek advice
of union Officials, the priest or their
consul to avoid being robbed by men who
have not hesitated to descend into what
is today the most sorrowful and desolate
place In the world
In the little Knights of Pythias hall
representative dispenses charity, the sad
faces Of women petitioning for aid was
in contrast to the bustling activity of
the relief agents.
Headquarters Crowded.
During the morning the headquarters
were crowded to an extent which made
work impossible. Mr.. Bicknell was COM
PEELED to make a speech In the simplest
words he could find, telling the women
and children to remain at home until
the official visitors reached them.
II know how sorely you have been
tried that you are in need, but please
understand that you shall have food and
fuel said the Red Cross leader.
I'VE canot help you when you fill
the room; you can see that. The good
women who call upon you will take
your orders and they will be filed. Those
who understand English please explain
to the Others.
For a few moments there was low
hum of voices as the transations were
being made in Italian, Russian, German
and other tongues and the crowd slowly
dispersed.
A Sad Picture.
With their heavy shawls about their
heads, the coarse, cumbersome shoes of
the European peasant on their feet, and
their thin skirts dashed by the icy wind.
the women presented a sad picture as
they passed into the street. Even the
converted lodge hall which they left was
a part of the picture for of Its 45 mem
bers only Il remain.
Mr.. Bicknell remarked the fact that
requests for supplies almost invariably
included one for fuel despite the fact
that the town exists because of its coal
mine. Like everything else here, the
explanation lies in the blazing char
mel house under the ground. The men
who daily brought home the needed sup
ply in baskets, bags or even wheelbar-
rows. are dead in one great funeral
pyre.
A typical order was filled for Julia
Dovan, a sweet-faced bride of six weeks,
whose husband, father and brother all
We're lost. She came TO ask relief for
herself, her mother. her sister-in-law and
IL children of the two last-named. This
stricken home was promptly furnished
with sausage flour, potatoes, soup, tea,
coffee and other foodstuffs.
Consul Sabetta, returning from his visit
to his countrywomen, showed In his eyes
the great burden of woe which had been
poured into his ears. In voice vibrat-
ing with passion he cried out against
the futilty of human endeavor, which
can feed and clothe, but is helpless IN
this chaos of sorrowing women and chill
dren. What can l do? What can do?'
he cried, and In the same breath answered
himself Nothing"
Consui's Views.
Such things as I have seen-such aw-
full, awful things; young women, chill
dren, babies, with no one in the world
to lean on. They were not old, those
men that are dead; they were young
full of hope, ambitious.
II have seen till my heart Is wrung
And some-listen! One of them has wife
and nine children in italy. How can
tell them? There were many such, work
ing for new homes in the United States
Every penny they sent back for the fund
that was to bring their loved ones mere
'It has been said that Italians came
here to earn money only that they may
take it back to Italy. Listen! MY gov
eminent has offered to care 1or those
who wish to return to the mother coun-
try. l have seen them today-motners'
wives, chldren-and / have told them
they might go home. Not one accepted
These women have made their start IN
the new country and at any cost TO them
selves are determined to educate their
children to American citizenship ana us
OppOrtunitieSn