The Washington herald., 1909-01-05

In answer TO q message from the Presi-
dent Congress yesterday passed bill ap-
propriating Ss0o00o for the sufferers from
the earthquake in Southern Italy.
Three hundred thousand dollars Of the
amount covers. that already expended Tor
provisions and supplies on board the ships
Celtic and Culgoa, now en- route 10 the
scene Of the disaster, and the balance VIII
be expended for the relief Of the victims
as the President sees TT
The message from the President was
read first in the Senate, and a resolution
introduced by Senator Hale, appropriating
$4,000. was adopted Immediately The
resolution was sent 10 the House and It
was changed 10 make the appropriation
Sso0000 in accordance with the message
Of the President It was then returned
TO the Senate and after a brief discus
sion was adopted
APpIaads It's Adoption.
Applause greeted the adoption OF the
resolution in the House, and al members
expressed themselves as delighted to be
able TO vote for the assistance Of the
victims Of the disaster.
In the Senate there was some question
raised by Senator Bailey as to the right
10 appropriate the money He said he
would not oppose the measure for the
sake Of humanity. but he thought there
was question as 20 whether Congress
had a right TO expend the money in such
way. He advanced the theory that the
matter should be looked into further be-
fore action was taken However. he made
no objection 70 immediate consideration
Of the resolution
In the House the resolution was plotted
by Representative Bingham, OF the Ap-
preparations Commute, in the absence Of
Chairman Tawney.
Following the adoption Of the resolu-
ton. Representative Francis B. Harrison.
Of New York. introduced the following
resolution OF sympathy. and it was passed
unanimously:
heard vita profound scrcw q the srsst disaster
caused by an earthquake u cities q Italy and
Sicily. and IS deeply stirred With pity fr the IN
fortunate sufferers
Pc il further resolved. That = copy q this
resolution b. delivered % tie President q The
United States. with regaest that he coInz1ni-
cate 20 the people q I-alg-
Message from President.
The message from the President recon-
mendlng the appropriation follows.
To the senate and House q ReGrsseztatires:
The appalling calamity which has bsfallen the
people Of Italy j. followed b distress and suffering
Throughout a vide region among many Thousands
who have escaped WITH life. but whose shelter and
f7od and means e living are Destroyed The ordi-
ua-y machle-y f5r Supplying the wants q civilized
colEuni-ies Is Uaral7ze. and an exceptional emerg
oncy exists which demands that the Obligations q
humanity slau regard 10 limit Il national lines.
TIE innense DEBT q civilization 70 Italy. the
warm and s-eadfast friendship bowen that couR-
ID and our 0Eu. the affection for tsir native land
felt by E-eat Numbers q good American citizens
who are immigrants from Italy; the abundance with
which Coo has blessed rs IN our 5afcyy-au these
should prompt Us 70 immediate and effective reiisL
Private generosity is responding molly % the de-
z1and y contributions through the safe and Efficient
chsancI q the American Red Crass Society
Coufdeu- q your approval I have ordered the
government supply ships Celtic and Culs1a % the
scene CT disaster. wheTr, Upon receiving the al
thori;y which 7 nov ask from SOC, they VII Be
able % dispense food. clothing. and other SUP
plies with which thay ara laden % the value q
about see 90. TIE Celtic has already sailed and
The Cul.oa IS at Port Sad Eight vessels q the
returning hsrtleship feet sre already under orders
fer Italian waters. and that government has been
asked 4 their services can be made useful
recommend that the Congress approve the GD-
pliction Of supplies above Indicated. and further
appropriate TIE sum q $4,000 % be sppzied 70
the Work q relief at the discretion q the Executive
and with the cClsent q the Italian government
7 sgcgest that the law follow The foEm Of that
passed after the Mont Pelee disaster in 1872
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House January l. 1903