Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-04
MONEY IS POURING IN
Relief Fund for Italians Con-
tinues to Grow.
RED CROSS OFFICIAL BUSY
Treasurer Reside Receives Total of
$1,000 to Date.
COLLECTIONS IN CHURCHES
Donations Sent to The Star and to
A. Lisner of the Chamber
COLLECTIONS IN CHURCHES


individuals and organizations of all class
es contributions to the fund for the re-
lief of the Italian earthquake sufferers
are pouring in. That the enthusiasm
shown last week was not due to the holt
day spirit pervading the community ano
not merely ficeting and to die out with
| the passing of the season was demon
strated today when more and larger do
nations were received by those who have
charge of the fund. Many persons were
unable to subscribe last week because
of the drain on their resources for Christ
mas and New Year expenses.
This was noticeable yesterday in many
of the churches, whose offerings were di-
verted to the Italian fund. Members OF
the various congregations in many In
stances did not know what was expected
But those who were unprepared either
gave pledges for contributions during the
week or asked that the collections of next
Sunday be turned over to the relief fund
A number of meetings were held yester-
day to arrange for systematic canvaSSes
for funds and for benefit performances
The Italian societies held a mass meeting
in COstello's Hall. appointed committees to
collect funds and to arrange for benefit
concert at the National Theater next Sun
day night.
Mr.. Reside Receives $1,000.
At the American Security and Trust
Company building IT. S. Reside, treasurer
of the Washington Red Cross Society,
announced that nearly $1,000 has already
been received by him from Washington
ians. OF this amount $4,000 was sent to
Miss Boardman of the National Red
Cross today in order to bring the amount
she has on hand up to $4,000.
There is no indication of let-up In
the flood of money that is pouring in,
Mr.. Reside said today. Il had feared
that perhaps with the passing of the holi-
days the donations would fall off. but the
contrary is true. The fact is that New
Year and Saturday coming in succession
hurt our collections, because people were
unable to get around to the banks.
This morning l received telephone calls
at my house before 1 came downtown
from persons who wanted to know how
to make out checks. At the office | found
a heavy mail and all day long we have
been receiving callers with cash contribu-
tons
so far we have about 5000 and I
think it is perfectly safe to predict that
we will soon have collected total of
$4,000"
Sent to The Star.
At The Star office total of S634.15 has
been received. while A. Lisner, treasurer
of the Chamber of Commerce. announced
todays contributors tu"n-f in'o him Sal.
Countess Lydia Bostopichine, who is to
give a series of lectures on Russian his
torical and court topics at the Arlington
Hotel, has announced that one-third of
the proceeds of her first lecture Will be
given to the Italian ambassador for the
sufferers. The countess is grand
daughter of Count Theodore Rostoptchne.
who was governor general of Moscow at
the time of Napoleon's invasion of Rus
sia and who. the countess declares,
started the burning of Moscow by setting
fire to his own residence. The countess
first lecture will he given January II. She
has a natural sympathy for Italy. because
her sister was the wife of the Italian
ambassador to France.
Hold Mass Meeting.
At Costelos Hall yesterday mass
meeting of Italians was held to decide on
plans for the collection of a fund for
the relief of their suffering countrymen.
The meeting was called by the Comitato
Columbiano, society combining the eight
Italian organizations of Washington, and
was under the direction of siXty-five of
the leading Italians of this city. Pietro
Rodice, vice president of the Comitato
Columbiano. presided.
After discussion of various plans for
on. a benefit concert and house-to-house
canvass
Committees of the various Italian socie-
ties were appointed to visit every Italian
in Washington and collect contributions
All the money thus raised will be forward
ed direct to the Italian Red Cross. 1t was
stated this morning that $500 would be
sent today. One society the Unione e
Fraterlanza composed of wealthy Ital-
ians expects to turn over $1,000 in few
days.
Another big meeting of the Comitato
Columbiano will be held Wednesday, when
reports of progress will be made and any
steps necessary will be taken for the fur
therance of the relief work.
Collections in Churches
In many of the churches of the city APP
peals for contributions for the earth
quake sufferers resulted in liberal dona-
tons yesterday. Nearly 1000 in cash
was collected and pledges of contributions
were made which will swell the fund to
5000. The collections taken up In the