The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-02
IMPETUS GIVEN
ITALIAN RELIEF
Collections VIII Be Put on
Business Basis
MEETING HELD YESTERDAY
Mayor Ward Is Made Chairman of the
Relief Committee and Prominent
Italian and American Citi-
zens Are Members.
MEETING HELD YESTERDAY

The meeting held in the Maccabees
temple yesterday afternoon in behalf of
the sufferers from the earthquake in Italy
was well attended and the relief move
ment was put upon systematic basis
The sum of SIG was raised in less than
five minutes, which brings the total
amount subscribed to nearly $500.
While there were a great many Amer
leans present the larger part of the gath
ering was made up of Italians, who are
responding generously to the call for as
sistance. In fact, prominent Italians ex-
pressed the belief that at least 5000 would
be raised by the Italians in the Birming-
ham district, which will probably be more
than any other community in the south
will subscribe. There are a great many
more Italians in Louisville than in Ala
bama, but the Italians here are, as a rule,
better fixed financially.
A permanent committee was elected at
| the meeting yesterday. This committee
will meet at $3.50 o'clock this afternoon in
the Maccabee temple, 1s2O1a Fourth ave-
| nue., for the purpose of organizing the
work
The personnel of the committee is as
follows: Mayore George b. Ward, chair
man. Lieutenant Governor Henry B.
Gray, treasurer; Victor Torina, secretary
Rufus N Rhodes, w. p q. Harding, w.
w. Crawford, Charles L. Simmons, j. e.
Shelby, Louis Schillinger. Capt. Frank p
O'Brien, the Rev Father James Coyle,
Harry Jones, Emil Lesser, Frank Deed
meyer the Rev. Father j. B. Canapa,
P. J. Serio n. Catanzano, Frank Arrico,
P. Giacopazzi, Dr. Luigi Cocciola, Dr.
Carmine Quasi, Sam Locasio, Joseph Lo-
casio, Joseph Orazzini, Joseph Maggie,
Phillip Rietta, G. S. Barranco, Frank
Canepa, Joe Caravella, N. ]. Catanzano,
all of Birmingham S. R. Guanino and
Charles Rouss of Ensley, Joe Rigotti and
Joe Baudini of Pratt City, j. Poggiani,
Sam Romano Filppo Call of Bessemer
and Joe Potero of Brookside.
]. E. Shelby and Rufus N. Rhodes made
short talks, as did number of promi-
nent Italians. The Rev. Father Coyle
was elected as chairman of the meeting,
which was called to order by Victor To-
rino Mr. Torno was made temporary
secretary of the meeting.
A number of resolutions were also
adopted, reading as follows:
Whereas, A great calamity has befal-
len Italy, and particularly Calabria and
Sicily; and
Whereas, BY reason of said calamity
hundreds of thousands of people have lost
their lives, leaving as many thousands
destitute and dependent upon the charity
of the entire world; and
Whereas, Under these circumstances, 1t
becomes the duty of every nation, city or
town to gather a fund for the relief Of
such sufferers, be it
Resolved, That we. the American and
Italian citizens of the city of Birming-
ham and Jefferson county, select COM
mittee to solicit and accept contributions
for the relief of the victims of the ter
rible catastrophe; be it further
Resolved That the governor of Ala
bama and the mayor of Birmingham be
requested to issue proclamations, asking
the people to contribute to the fund that
will be raised for the most holy cause ever
known to the civilized world.
Votes of thanks were given to the presi-
dent and local manager of the Majestic
theatre for the performance they will give
for the benefit of the victims, and Sec
rotary Torina was instructed to confer
with the manager and make all the ar
engagements necessary.
Votes of thanks were given to the Phoe-
nix lodge, X of p, and to the German
Turn Verein, and also to Mr. Emil Lesser
for the contributions already made to the
fund. A vote of thanks was also extend
ed to all the American citizens who con-
scented to serve on the committee.
A motion was made and carried that the
Italian societies of the district be request
ed to set aside date for holding religious
services in memory of the hundreds Of
thousands of unfortunates that lost their
lives.