The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-03

About sixty-five prominent Italians, rep
resenting the colony in this city, have
called meeting TO be held at the Trades
Union Hall. go G street northwest, this
morning at $50 o'clock. fOr the purpose
OF raising money for the sufferers in
Sicily.
The meeting has been called by II. Pier
Giavina. secretary-g general Of the Com
itato CoIumbisno. an organization CON-
bining eight Of the Italian societies of
Washington. whose purpose is 10 do all
IN their power TO alleviate the suffering
IN the stricken territory.
II is the purpose Of the societies to ar
range for a concert 10 be given at one
Of the local theaters this week, the re-
ceipts OF which viii be turned over TO
the Red Cross Society and forwarded to
Messina.
The Italian colony in Washington is es-
timated at about 1000. a few Of the fam
lilies come from the city OF Bfesslna. which
has been destroyed, and many Of them,
it is feared, have lost relatives in the
disaster.
Prompt in Donations.
As soon as word reached this city Of
the desolation of Italy, several OF the
leading Italians began TO devise means TO
aid in rushing supplies there. Z. Di
Giorgio. president o. the -c,9mitato Co
lumbiano started to solicit subscriptions
from the more prosperous Italian bust
ness men. He had little difficulty IN OBJ
tanning donations ranging from 81 to
$50
They are all determined TO show that
her sons in America have not forgotten
fair Italia"
When you question the Italian about
the tragedy. b. viii shrug his shoulders
and make futile gestures and smile al
your naivete in thinking his thoughts
can be put into words. such a beautiful
country" he VIII say, or ct is all a
mystery. and would much prefer not
20 talk" But bis eyes show how his
heart has been benumbe5.
Italians in general 90 not think the
cities vii ever be rebuilt. as the vicinity
has been the scene o. earthquakes for
ages. II seems useless 20 them 10 spend
a great fortune IN restoring the beauty
which nature created and then took away.
II is estimated that about 800 persons
VIII attend the meeting this morning.
and voice their sorrow in resolutions
which are 20 be drawn Up. and letters OF
sympathy which VIII he forwarded 20
those who have by good fortune escaped
the hand Of fate.
Many Societies RepreSensea.
Among the Italian societies which viii
be represented are the Unione Z FrateI-
lama, Generate Giuseppe Garbaldi Wit
torio Emanuele II. Trinagrla, Art e
Mestieri Societa Femminile Ambascia-
trice Maria. z Comitato Della Societa.
and NsziouaIe Dante Aiighieri-
These societies have a combined mem
bership Of about 71a and are composed 81
some Of the most bishly regarded citizens
Of Washington
II the last week local talent has come
70 the front and offered their services
for any benefit performance. Last night
it was decided TO accept these offers and
a big performance VIII, in all probability.
be arranged Al the meeting this morning.
Just what theater the concert viii b.
held in VIII be settled Al t0-day's meet
ing
The tickets viii probably be sold at a
nominal price IN order 70 permit the
poorest 10 attend, and the purchasers
VIII not be limited 10 Italians.
Red Cross Contributions.
More than 5000 has been contributed
BY Washingtonians for the relief Of the
Sicnian earthquake sufferers. AID contri-
buttons are being received hourly. The
| largest single donation was made yester-
day by the plate printers Of the Bureau
Of Engraving and Printing, amounting
to S55e
The 800 donation was given 20 II. s
Reside. Of the American Security and
/ Trust Company. who is receiving Local
contributions, by Joseph E. Ralph. direc-
tor Of the bureau. who said that other
/ employees Of the bureau are taking VI
contributions. which by next week will
reach SL0Oo.
Many Of tn local churches viii turn
the entire collections Of to-day over to
Sir. Reeside, 10 be forwarded . the SUI
ferers.
At Chamber OF Commerce..
Received by A. Lisner, treasurer of the
Chamber Of Commerce. the following
subscriptions.
\ Lisner.-.-.-.. ..-.....-...-..... 500
C. Hemlch- ----------- ----.----..-... 100
House < Hermann ---------.-...-. 100
n G0IdenherE- --... ---.. 100