Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
AMERICA To BUILD
HOMES FOR ITALIANS
Presidents Plan to Expend
Congress Appropriation.
SHIPS TO TAKE LUMBER
Carpenters Will Go Along to Su-
perintend Building.
FIRST SHIPS SAIL TOMORROW
Decision Reached After Consulting
Ambassador Griscom-Red Cross
Fund Now Near Million.
FIRST SHIPS SAIL TOMORROW

An innovation in International relief
measures so far as Europe is concerned is
to be undertaken by the American gov
ernment in expending 100000 In money
appropriated by Congress for the Italian
earthquake sufferers. Realizing that
great need among the sufferers will be
shelter from the elements. President
Roosevelt has decided 10 send to Italy
material for the construction of twenty
five hundred or three thousand substantial
but necessarily very modest frame houses.
supplementing this by supplying civilian
carpenters to supervise construction if
this can be arranged.
Ever since the appropriation was made
by Congress serious consideration has
been given by the President and the State
Department as to the best uses that could
be made Of it in the way of relief Cor
| respondence has been going on almost
daily with Ambassador Griscop at Rome
with view to ascertaining the views OF
himself, his fellow members of the Amer
lean relief committee and of the Italian
government to the most sensible
course to adopt with a view to the best
results.
| a final decision was reached Friday.
Verbal instructions were given by Presi-
dent Roosevelt TO Secretary Newberry
whereby the machinery of the Navy De-
partment was enlisted in the prosecution
of the plan. Mr.. Newberry at once got
into telephone communication with the
| naval officials at New York and by
quick work has been able to make partial
arrangements for carrying out the Presi-
dents orders.
Navy Department Statement.
The following statement was made pub
| lie at the Secretarys Office yesterday
| afternoon:
1.-The Navy Department has arranged
for the expenditure of approximately
| $5OO,OO0 in the purchase of building ma
| terials. including all articles necessary
| for the construction of substantial frame
houses for the Italian sufferers. and tho
shipments will begin by the sailing of two
steamers probably Monday. This lumber
| Is being delivered today In New York.
! and the sailing of the vessels will pro-
| ceed as fast as they can be loaded. Each
| ship will carry all the materials for the
construction of about 500 houses. and ft
will require not less than six steamers
| for the entire amount purchased. If pos
sible. the department intends to send with
each vessel several civilian house car
| penters. with plans. to assist In the erec-
ton of these houses
The civilian carpenters will be secured
from the navy yard eligible list Pay
Inspector John A. Mudd, in charge Of the
navy pay office in New York. who has
Washington last night to talk over the
situation with Mr.. Newberry.
Queen Helena of Italy will manage the
distribution of the Christian Herald fund
for the widows and orphans Of the
earthquake districts. Dr. Louis Klopsch
| of the Christian Herald has promised to
| start this fund with gift of 5000. and
will send that much each week to Italy
and as much more as Is necessary.
Accepted by Ambassador.
The acceptance Of the offer was an
nounced In a dispatch sent yesterday to
DIR. kIopsch by the Italian ambassador.
saying that the fund will be accepted with
gratitude. The ambassador added:
II cannot too highly appreciate this
noble and generous initiative on the part
of the Christian Herald which you have
| taken, displaying thereby remarkable in
| tuition of the most urgent need OF the
stricken population"
Total contributions received by the
American Red Cross for the Italian vic
| Tins up to last night amount to $s0l, Az.
American religious interests along the
Gala brian coast and in Sicily will be as
sisted az far as possible from the fund of
SO uJaj which Vice Consul Gu ting OF
Milan. now in the earthquake district 90
ing relief work. has at his disposal. This
money was sent especially for assisting
stranded Americans.
Timber Urgently Needed.
ROME, January 16.-Timber being
urgently required in the earthquake zone.
the central committee here has purchased
and shipped a large quantity to Messina,
together with 100 portable houses. each
accommodating two families. The king
has chartered the steamer Aventino.
which is ready to sail with seventy tons
of timber cut from the royal estate and
a large quantity of tools
The thirteenth hospital train OF the
Italian Red Cross. compose of seventeen
carriages, with doctors and nurses aboard,
left here this event g for Calabria