The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-05
Hears a Message From
 President. BOTH HOUSES PROMPT
 IN PROVIDING MONEY Roosevelt Given Power to Use the
 Ships. Supplies VIII he Rushed to Aid of stricken Citiseas of Italy Now suffering From Worlds
 Greatest Castostro-

washington. Jan. l--Bountifui pro- vision for the earthquake sufferers of Italy was made by Congress today, and that. too. by unanimous vote.
 In the House there was vigorous hand-clapping as the bill carrying the appropriation was sent on it's way. The munihcent sum of $s00,000 was granted almost immediately after the reception in both houses of mes sage from the President calling att tention to the calamity and the press ing need for aid for the stricken sis- ter nation. The President's signature was not fixed to the bill tonight. as 1t did not reach him; neither the Vice President nor the Speaker yet having signed it. The House had adjourned and Speaker Cannon had left the Cap itol before the Senate passed the meas ure.
 President Roosevelt will sign the bill. making it effective when it reach- es him, which probably will be tomor- row. Only the fact that the national legisIature was adjourned for the usual holiday recess when the earthquake occurred prevented earlier action, ai- though by the Presidents direction and with confidence of Congressional anproyal. supplies aboard the naval ships Celtic and Culgoa intended for the battleship fieets was diverted and ordered delivered as quickly as their speed capacity could take them to the scene of suffering and want.
 No such generous help was ever ex- tended to a stricken people by this government before. The iegislators. anticipating the Presidents message and hlied with a sympathetic desire to lend their votes to any proposition which would bring relief. wore early in their seats and prepared to take iIns mediate action.
 Confident that the further contribu. tions of the American public win 5us- tify it's assumption of responsibility in authorizing Ambassador Griscom at Rome to charter ard load with sup- plies a relief yessel and also to trans port refugees, the American National Red Cross advanced the necessary means wherewfth to meet the suggese tion of the Ambassador and his com nittee of Americans in Rome. Over s330, 900 has been collected through the Red Cross alone, of which $60.000 rep- resents the advance referred to. one- half of which The Christian Herald has agreed to raise. Because of the belief of the Prime Minister of Italy expressed in a message today in re- sponse to cablegram from the Pres- ident to Ambassador Griscom. that the American fleet of battleships will ar- rive at the scene of disaster too late to be of great assistance conferences are being held with the view to rear ranging their sailing program.
 It has been definitely determined, however, that the first squadron will assist in earthquake relief. It has also been determined that the fleets visit to the several Italian ports where preparations were making for it's ap- propriate reception, would be ill-timed under the present circumstances.
 Af
 The text of the Presidents message is as follows:
 'To the Senate and Houhe of Represen-
 tatives:
 The appalling calamity which has befallen the people of Italy Is followed 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 machine ry for supplying the wants Of civi lized communities is paraIyzed: and an exceptional emergency exists which demands that the obligations of hu- manity shall regard no limit Of national lines
 'The immense debt of civilization to Italyf the warm and steadfast friend ship between that country and our own: the affection for their native land felt by great numbers of good AmerI- can citizens who are immigrants from Italy; the abundance with which God has blessed us in our safety; all these should prompt us to immediate and effective relief.
 Private generosity is responding nobly to the demand by contributions through the safe and efficient channel of the American Red Cross Society.
 "Conhdent of your approval, have ordered the government supply ships Celtic and 'Culgoa' to the scene of disaster, where upon receiving the au- thority which now ask from you, they will be able to dispense food, clothing and other supplies with which they are laden, to the value of about $300,000. The Celtic has already sailed and the 'CulRoa' is at Port Said. Eight ves- sells of the returning batleship fleet are alrealy under orders for Italian waters and that government has been asked if their services can be made useful.
 'I recommend that the Congress ap- prove the application of supplies above indicated and further appropriate the sum of $500,000 to be applied to the work of relief at the discretion of the executive and with the consent of the Italian Government
 "I suggest that the law follow the form of that passed after the Mount PeIee disaster in 1902.
 (SIRned.) Theodore Roosevelt.
 ..The White House. Jan. {. 1909"
 The members of the committee on ap- nronriations at once were severaAy csiied to the speakers desk for a con- ference with the idea in view of obviat- jn9 the reference of the matter to com mittee as usually would be done.
 Measure For Relief.
 Thereupon MT. Bingham (Pensyl- vanfa3 secured unanimous consent for inc immediate consideration of the fol- towing resolution for relief in accor- dance with the presidents message. wbich was passed amid great applause.
 .That to enable the president of the United States to procure and distribute among the suffering and destitute peo- nle of Italy such provisions, clothing, medicines and other necessary articles and to take such other steps as he shall aeeTn advisable for the purpose