The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-01-27
100000 FOR Relief FUND
President Roosevelt Recon-
meHds and Congress Acts.
United States Makes to Italyss Suf.
ferers Most Generous Donation
Ever Bestowed Abroad


Ever Bestowed Abroad
Washington, D. C.-President
Roosevelt in a. message to Congress
asked for a direct appropriation OF
half a million dollars for the relief
of the stricken people in the earth.
quake zone Of Italy.
Later he asked that the appropria-
ton be increased to $800,00gt Cons
gress acted promptly and passed RESI-
olutions making the appropriation.
This, the most generous fund ever
contributed by the American people
for sufferers in other lands, is to
supplement the dispatch OF the sup
ply ships Celtic from New York and
Culgoa from Port Said for Messina
with their cargoes of n~ecessaries for
use of the Italian sufferers.
1t also supplements the Presidents
proffer Of the services of the Ameri-
can fleet of sixteen battleships, whose
use, in whole or in part, hinged only
on the acceptance or declinatipnaof
the Italian Government.
The Presidents Message.
The text of the Presidents mes
sage is as follows:
ITO the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatiyes:a
@The appalling calamity which has
befallen the people OF Italy Ifs 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 sup
plying the wants OF, civilizedscomrfu-
mites is paralyzed; and1a an exception
al emergency exists which demands
that the obligations OF humanity.
shall regard no limit OF national
lines.
1.-THE immense debt Of civilization
to- Italy; the Warm and steadfast
friendship between that country and
u own; the affection for their ma
tive land felt by great nurnbersfof
good American citizens who are gim-
migrants from Italy;s the abundance
with which God has blessed us msonr
safety; oil these should prompt us
to Immediate and effective relief
y! Private generosity is responding
'nobly to the demand by contributions
through the safe and efficient channel
of the American RetsCross Society.
Has Sent Two Supply Ships.
Confident of your approval
have ordered the Government supply
ships Celtic and Culgoa to the scene.
Of the disaster, where, upon greceiys4
ing the authority which now ask
from you, they will be able to dis
pense food, clothing and other sup-
plies with which they are laden to-
the value Of about 100000: 4
1.-THE Celtic hasfa1ready sailed and
the Culgoa is at Port Said! Eight
vessels of the returning battleshtp5
fleet are already under orders for
Italian waters, and that Government
has been asked II their services can;
be made useful. Il
IT recommend that the Congress
approve application Of supplies above
indicated and further appropriatea
the sum. of $580,000 to be applied;
to- the work of relief at the dtscres
ton of the executive, and with the
consent of the Italian Government.
1T suggest that the law follow the
form Of that passed after the5Mounts
Pelee disaster In 1902.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
1.-THE White House"
Prompt Action by House.
AS soon as the message was read
resolutions were introduced in the
Senate and House for an approprias
ton for italian relief.
The House added 100000 to the
100000 originally planned TO be APP
prCpriated.
At the conference at the White
House, which was attended by Speak
er Cannon, 100000 was agreed up
on as the amount to he given.
Ten minutes before the House con-
vened the speaker received q letter
from the White House, suggesting
that the amount be increased to
100000, and this was done.
Passed Amid Great Applause.
Mr.. Bingham secured unanimous
consent of the House for immediate
consideration and the resolution was
passed amid great applause. 8
Another resolution was unanimous-R
ly adopted, expressing sorrow OF the
House for the calamity, and request.
ing that a copy be sent to the Presi-;
dent to be communicated to the peo-
pie of'Italy.
:. In the Senate a resolution appro-
priating the sum asked by the Prest-$
dent was reported by Mr.. Hale and
agreed to with only n negative
vote, that of Mr.. Bailey.