The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-04
To Congress Calling for ApprO-
priatiOn of Aid Fund.
GETS QUICK RESPONSE
Resolutions Are Passed by Both
Houses
In Accordance With the Chief
Executives Suggestion.


a direct appropriation of half a million
dollars for the relief of the stricken
people in the earthquake zone of Italy
This is the most generous fund ever
contributed by the American people for
succor of sufferers in other lands, and
is to supplement the dispatch of the
supply ships Celtic from New York and
the Culgoa from Port Said. for Mes
sina. with their big cargoes of neces-
saries originally intended for the
American fleet now to be diverted to
the immediate use of the Italian VIC
Tins 1t also supplements the presi-
dents proffer of the services of the en-
tire American fleet of 16 battleships
whose use in whole or in part. hinged
only on the grateful acceptance or de-
clination of the Italian government.
, The message was brief and plans had
; been made for the immediate enact
ment into law of its recommendations
The message follows:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
The appalling calamity which has be-
fallen the people of Italy is followed by
distress and suffering throughout a wide
region among many thousands VINO
have escaped with life, but whose shell |
ter and food and means of living are de-
stroyed. The ordinary machinery for
munities is paralyzed; and an excep- |
tional 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 or
good American citizens who are
immigrants from Italy; the abundance
with which God has blessed us in our
safety; all these should prompt us to
Private generosity is responding
nobly to the demand by contributions
through the safe and efficient channel
of the American Red Cross society.
l. HConfdent of your approval,
have ordered the government supply
ships Celtic and Culgoa to the scene
of the disaster, where upon receiving
you they will be able to dispense
food clothing and other supplies
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 re-
turning battleship fleet are already
under orders for italian waters and
that government has been asked if
their services can be made useful.
Il recommend that the congress ap-
prove the application of supplies above
indicated and further appropriate the
sum of 100000 to be applied to the
work of relief at the discretion of the
executive and with the consent of the
Italian government
q suggest that the law follow the
form of that passed after the Mount
Pelee disaster in 1902.
(Signed)
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
'The White House, January 4, 1909"
Congress Votes $SOO,OOO.
Washington. Jan. I'm his invo-
cation upon the reconvening of the
house today Chaplain Couden feelingly
referred to the death recently of Rep
resentative Davey OF Louisiana and to
the earthquake in Italy.
Almost Immediately upon the con-
clusion OF the prayer Mr.. Latta, one
of the presidents secretaries, appeared
with a message from the president
urging approval of his acts in extend
ing relief and also an additional ap-
propriation of 100000 for further re- I
lief. The members of the committee
on appropriatiOnS at once were called !
Avfth the idea in view of obviating the
Teference of the matter to committee
Thereupon Mr.. Bingham of Penn
syIvania, secured unanimoua consent I
for the Immediate consideration of a
resolution for relief in accordance with
the Presidents message and it was
passed amid great applause.
Immediately another resolution was
adopted expressing the
profound sorrow of the house for the
calamity.
In6 senate was IN the midst OF the
morning business when Mr. Latta ar
rived there with the message from
the president. Immediately after the
message had been read Senator Hale
moved that it be referred to the com
mittee on appropriations. He said
that this action was not for delay but
to give the committee an opportunity
TO frame a resolution in accordance
with the presidents 3 suggestions He ex-
pressed the hope that the senate would
remain in session so that it might re-
ceive the report from the committee
which he said would be made prompt
" As a result of the presidents mes
sage the house added 100000 to its
apDropriation making in all 100000
instead of 100000, as originally
planned to be given for the suffer
ere
Ten minutes before the house CON
vened the speaker received a letter
from the White House suggesting that
the amount be increased to $S0O.OOO
Before any action could be taken by
the committee on appropriations the
house was in receipt of the presidents
m essage on the subject
At the hurried meeting of the com
nittee the amount was increased to
With comparatively
no delay Mr. Hale reported to the SEN
ate a resolution adopted by the com
nittee on appropriations and it was
agreed to with only one vote in the
negative which was cast by Senator
Bailey.
Later the senate agreed to the reso-
I,tion passed, by the house increasingl
Ibe anDropriation to 100000 and this