The Penn's Grove record., 1909-01-08
100000 FOR RELIEF FUND
President Roosevelt Recon-
mends and Congress Acts.
United States Makes to 1taly's Suf.
ferers Most Generous Donation
Ever Bestowed Abroad.

w oouiuStOHl Ia C.-fTeSlQont
Roosevelt In a message to Congress
asked for d direct appropriation OF
half a million dollars for the relief
OF the stricken people in the earth
quake zon of Italy.
Later he asked that the appropria-
ton be increased to 100000. Com
gress acted promptly and passed res
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 SUD-
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-
car fleet of sixteen ~battleships, whose
use, In whole or in part, hinged only
on the acceptance or declination of
the italian Government.
The Presidents Message.
The text of the Presidents mes
sage is as follows:
ITO the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
befallen the people of Italy is 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 civilized commu-
mites is paralyzed; and an exception
al emergency exists which demands
that the obligations of humanity
shall regard no limit of national
lines.
"The immense debt Of civilization
to Italy; the warm and steadfast
friendship between that country and
our own; the affection for their ma
tive land felt by great numbers of
good American citizens who are i'm
migrants from Italy; the abundance
with which God has blessed us in u
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.
Has Sent Two Supply Ships.
Confident of your approval, l
have ordered the Government supply
ships Celtic and Culgoa to the scene
of the disaster, where, upon receiv-
ing the authority which I 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.
"The Celtic has already sailed and
the Culgoa is at Port Said. Eight
vessels of the returning ~battleship
feet + already under orders for
Italian waters, and that Government
has been asked If their services can
be made useful.
II recommend that the Congress
approve application of supplies above
indicated and further appropriate
the sum of 100000 to be applied
to the work of relief at the discre-
ton Of the executive, and with the
consent of the Italian Government.
81 suggest that the law follow the
form of that passed after the Mount
Pelee disaster in 1902.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
"The White House."
Prompt Action by House.
AS oon as the message was read
resolutions were introduced In the
Senate and House for an appropria-
ton for italian relief.
The House added 100000 to the
100000 originally planned to be ap-
propriated.
At the conference at the White
House, which was attended by Speak
er Cannon, $780, 900 was agreed up
on as the amount to be given.
Ten minutes before the House con-
vened the speaker received 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.
Another resolution was unanimous
1y adopted, expressing sorrow of the
House for the calamity, and request
ing that a copy be sent to the Presf-
dent to be communicated to the peo-
pie of Italy.
In the Senate a resolution appro-
priating the sum asked by the Presi-
dent was reported by Mr.. Hale and
agreed to with only one negative
vote, that of MI. Bailey.