The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-04
APPROPRIATION OF SXOO. .O0l
FOR ITALIAN SUFFERERS 4
IS RECOMMENDED
President Urges This His Special Message to Congres-Ths
Generous Fund Ever Contributed by Any People for Succo
of Sufferers in Other Lands

Washington, Jan. 4.-The President.
i'll a message to congress today asked
Tor direct appropriation OF half Il
Ioillion dollars for the relief of the
stricken people In the earthquake
zone of Italy. This is the most gen
erous fund ever contributed by the
American people for succor of suffer
ers in other lands, and is to supple
ment the dispatch of the supply ships
Celtic from New York, and the Cul.
goa from Port Said, for Messina, with
their big cargoes of necessaries, or.
lginally intended for the American
fleet, diverted TO the immediate use
OF the Italian victims. II also supple
ments the Presidents proffer of the
services of the entire American fleet
OF sixteen battleships, whose use in
whole or IN part, hinges only on the
grateful acceptance or decllnation of
the Italian government. The message
was brief and plans had been made
for the immediate enactment into law
OF its recommendations.
AS a result of the Presidents mes
sage, the house added $4,000 to its
appropriation, making in all $500. 900
Instead of 100000 as originally
planned to be given for the sufferers.
Ten minutes before the house con-
vened, the speaker received a letter
from the White House, suggesting that
the amount be increased to SS00,000
Before any action could be taken by
the committee on appropriations. the
house was in receipt of the Presidents
message on the subject.
At hurried meeting Of the commit
tee, the amount was increased to con-
form with the Presidents letter Of
recommendation. with comparatively
no delay. Mr.. Hale reported to the sem
ate resolution adopted by the COM
mittee on appropriations and 1t was
agreed to with only one -vete-ift-the
negative which was cast by Senator
Bailey.
Later the senate agreed to the reso-
luton adopted by the house increas-
ing the appropriation 10 SS00,000. and
this amount becomes Immediately
available.
The text of the Presidents message
is as follows:
ITO the senate and house Of repre-
sentatives:
the APPALLING calamity which has
befallen the people Of Italy is follow
ed by distress and suffering through
out wide region, among many thous-
ands who have escaped with life. but
whose shelter and food and means OF
living are destroyed. The ordinary ma
chinery for supplying the wants of CIV
ilized communities. is paralyzed, and
an exceptional emergency exists which
demands that the obligations of hui
manity shall regard no limit of national
lines.
THE immense detb 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 lis to immediate
and effective relief.
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, l have
ordered the government supply ships
Celtic and Culgoa to the scene Of the
disaster, where, upon receiving the au'
thority, which now ask for 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 already sailed. and the
Culgoa is at Port Said. Eight vessels
of the returning battleship fleet are
already under orders for Italian waters
and that government has been asked II
their services can be made useful
II recommend that the congress ap-
prove the application Of supplies above
indicated and further appropriate the
sum of 100000 to be applied to the
work of relief at the discretion of the
executive. and with the consent OF the
italian government
'I suggest that the law follow the
form OF that passed after the Mount
Pelee disaster In 1902.
(Signed) Theodore Roosevelt.
THE White House, Jan. 4. 1907