The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-01-08
CONGRESS- GIVES 100000
TO STRICKEN ITALY
4 Prompt Response Made to Plea
Of the President.
SENDING or SUPPLY SHIPS APPROVED
Celtic and Cuigoa Carry $500. 600 In
Supplies, and $500. 600 in Cash h
Provided No Opposition in House.
and Bailey of Texas, Only Dissent
ing Voice in Senate.


Washington, D. G. lSpecial} lit
took not more than Ave minutes for
the House of Representatives to act
ON the suggestion made by President
Roosevelt, in a special message, and
appropriate 100000 for the relief
of the Italian earthquake sufferers
The Senate was slower to act, but
adopted the bill without much delay.
There was a suspension of business
in the House while conferences were
held at the Speakers desk with a
view to securing the immediate pas
sage of a relief bill.
Representative Bingham, Of Penn
sylvania, acting for Chairman Taw-
ney, of the Appropriations Commit
tee, was recognized and presented a
dents message.
OF the 100000 appropriated,
100000 is to pay for the supplies
on the two ships now on their way
to, Messina, and the additional nair
million is in cash. Mr.. Bingham,
after the bill had been read, asked
for its immediate passage. and, amid
intense silence on the floor and In
s lie Rd1l0Il6S, 0HSdAOl- NdAuOAA ssOAAt
through the formula for its pas
sage.
Not a word was said until the
Speaker declared the bill passed, and
then the members on the floor broke
into applause and hand clapping, and
the whole thing was over.
The Presidents Message.
The Presidents message is az
follows: To the Senate and House
of Representatives
The appalling calamity which has
befallen the people of Italy is fol-,
lowed by distress and suffering
throughout a wide region among
many thousands who have escaped
with life, but whose shelter and food
and means of living are DESTROYED.
The ordinary machinery for supply
ing the wants of civilized communi-
ties is paralyzed, and an exceptional
emergency exists, which demands
that the obligations of humanity
shall regard no limit Of national
lines.
.'The immense debt of civilization
to Italy; the warm and steadfast
friendship between that country and
our own; the affection for their ma
tive land felt by great numbers Of
good American citizens who are im-T
migrants from Italy; the abundance
with which God has blessed us in
our safety; all these should prompt :
us to immediate and effective relief.
Private generosity is responding
nobly to the demand by contribu-
tions through the safe and efficient
channel of the American Red Cross
Society.
Confident of your approval, have
ordered the government supply ships
Celtic and Culgoa to the. scene Of
disaster, where, upon receiving the
authority which now ask from you.
they will be able to dispense food,
clothing and other supplies with
which they are laden to the value OF
about 100000. The Celtic has all
ready sailed, and the Culgoa is at
Port Said. Eight vessels of the re-
turning battleship fleet are already
under orders for italian waters, and
that government has been asked II
their services can be made useful.
81 recommend that the Congress
approve the application of supplies
above indicated, and further appro.
pirate the sum of 100000 to be APP
piled to the work of relief at the dis
erection of the Executive and With
the consent of the Italian govern.
ment
81 suggest that law follow the
form of that passed after the Mount
Pelee disaster, in 1902.
(Signed)
''THEODoRE ROOSEVELT,
"The White House
January 4. 1909"