Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-04
President Sends Special
Message and Both
Houses Respond:
PlAN1osENDs8oo, o,ooo
Besides 100000 Worth of
Supplies Intended for Navy
Now Enr0ute.

Washington, Jan. 4.-Resolutions
were introduced today in the senate
providing for an appropriation of $780,
700 and in the house for 100000. {, he
resolutions provide the money shall be
used for provisions, clothing. medicines
and other necessary articles and the
president is authorized to employ any
vessels of the United States navy or
to charter and employ other suitable
steamships or vessels to carry out the
purposes of this government.
Passed with Cheers.
The house passed the resolution
without reference to committee amid
great applause.
senate Increases Amount.
In the senate the resolution was re-
ferred to the committee on appropria-
tions, where the amount was increas-
ed to $SOO,000, and the resolution i'm
mediately reported to the senate. 1t
was agreed to.
Largest Fund Ever So Given.
Washington Jan. president Roose-
welt. in a message to congress, today
asked for a direct appropriation of
100000 for the relief of the stricken
people in the earthquake zone of Italy.
This, the most generous fund ever con-
tributed by the American people for
the succor of sufferers in other lands,
is to supplement the dispatch of the
supply ships Celtic and Culgoa for
Messina with their big cargoes- of
necessaries originally intended for the
American fleet, diverted to the imme-
diate use of the Italian victims.
Tcxt of Presidents Message.
The text of the presidents message
follows:
"To 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 thousands
who have escaped with life, but whose
are destroyed. The ordinary machin
cry for supplying the wants of civiliz
ed communities is paralyZed, and al
exceptional emergency exists which dc
mands that the obligations of human
ity shall regard no limit of nationa
lines.
Many Reasons for Course.
1.-The immense debt of civilization
to Italy, the warm and steadfas
friendship between that country ant
our own, the affection for their native
land felt by a great number of Amer
lean citizens who are immigrants from
Italy, the abundance with which Cos
has blessed us in our safety-all thes'
should prompt us to immediate and ef
fective relief.
private generosity is respondin;
nobly to the demand by contribution
through the safe and efficient channe
of the American Red Cross society.
Ships Already Under Orders.
Confident of your approval, | hav
ordered the government supply ship
Celtic and Culgoa to the scene of tn
disaster, where, upon receiving TIL
authority which | now ask of yor
they viii be able to dispense foot
clothing and other supplies with whic
they are laden to the value of abou
100000.
1.-The Celtic has already sailed an
the Culgoa is at Port Said. Eight We:
colo IF tho rot,.rnipo hatt1achip fae
are already under orders for Italia
waters, and that government has bee
asked if their services can be mad
useful.
Would Give s5OO,O0O Besides.
81 recommend that congress approx
of the application of supplies as abov
indicated, and further appropriat