The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-01-08
GOES TO ITALY'S AID.
100000 Appropriated For Quake
Sufferers Resolution Passed by
Unanimous Vote.

Washington, Jan. 4.-EolGntl1 Il
provision for the earthquake suffer-
ers Of Italy was made by congress
today. and that too, by unanimous
vote. In the house there was vigor-
Gus handclapping as the bill carrying
the appropriation was sent on its
way. The munificent sum Of $780,
600 was granted almost Immediately
after the receiving in both houses of
message from the president calling
attention to the calamity and the
pressing need for aid for the stricken
sister nation.
The presidents signature was not
affixed to the bill tonight as it did
not reach him, neither the vice presi-
dent nor the speaker yet having sign
ed it. The house had adjourned, and
Speaker Cannon had left the capitol
before the senate passed the measure.
President Roosevelt will sign the bill
making it effective when it reaches
him, which probably will be tomor-
row.
Only the fact that the national leg
islature was adjourned for the usual
holiday recess when the earthquake
occurred prevented earlier action, al
though by the presidents direction
and with confidence of congressional
approval supplies aboard the naval
ships Celtic and Culgoa intended for
the battle ship fleet we're diverted
and ordered delivered as quickly as
their speed capacity could take them
to the scene of suffering and want.
No such generous help ever was ex-
: tended to a stricken people by this
government before. The legislators,
anticipating the PRESIDENT message
and filled with a sympathetic desire
to lend their votes to any proposition
! which would bring relief, were early
in their seats and prepared to take
immediate action.
Red Cross Active.
Confident that the further contri-
buttons of the American public Will
justify its assumption Of responsible
ity in authorizing Ambassador Girls
com at Rome to charter and load
with supplies relief vessel, and al
50 to transport refugees, the Amerl-
can National Red Cross advanced the
necessary means wherewith to meet
the suggestion Of the ambassador and
his committee of Americans in Rome.
y Over $33O,O0O has been collected
through the Red Cross alone, Of which
100000 represents the advance refer
red to, one-half of which the Chris
tian Herald has agreed to raise.
Because Of the belief Of the prime
minister of Italy, expressed in mes
: sage today, in response to a cable
gram from the president to Ambas-
sador; Griscom, transmitted last Sat-
urrday, that the American fleet Of bat
ships Will arrive at the scene Of dlsas-
ter too late to be Of great assistance,
conferences are being held with the
view to rearranging their sailing pro-
gramme, especially as it has been de-
termined that the fleets visit to the
several italian ports, where prepara-
,tions were making for its appropriate
reception, would be ill-timed under
/ the present circumstances.
The President Message.
President Roosevelt in message
to congress today asked for direct
appropriation of half a million dol
lars.
At the conference at the White
HOUSE last night, attended by Speaker
Cannon, $5O0,O0O was agreed upon as
the amount which should be appro-
priated. Ten minutes before the
house convened the speaker received
I letter from the White House sug-
costing that the amount be increas-
ed to 100000. Before any action
could be taken by the committee Oh
appropriations the house was in re-
ceipt Of the presidents message on
the subject. At the hurried meeting
of the committee in front Of the
Speakers desk the $5OO,000 the COM
mittee bad placed in its measure was
increased to conform with the presi-
dents later recommendation.
The president message follows:
"To the senate and house Of rep
! resentatives: The appalling calamity
which has befallen the people Of Ita-