New-York tribune., 1909-01-08
FAIRBANKS AT GARDEN
FOR QU4KE SUFFERERS.
Mayor Mcclellan 1IsO Makes an
4ppcaL for Funds.

Although Madison Square Garden was not
crowded last night at the benefit for the earth
quake sufferers it success, for It added
about $500 the relief fund of the
American-Italian General Relief Committee Also
the speeches delivered by men Of national and To-
cal official and political Importance will probably
be All incentive II the work Of increasing the
funds.
President-elect Taft telegraphed:
1t VIII be impossible for me to be present at the
mass meeting. have the deepest sympathy with
the movement. and earnestly hope that the funds
raised will be adequate to relieve the dreadful suf-
Ielihg entaIied upon the poor people Of Southern
Italy and Sicily.
Nice-Presdent Fairbanks was the principal
speaker and he expressed for the American nation
the sorrow felt for Itays disaster. which sentiment
Mayor Mcclellan expressed for the citizens Of
New York. Count Massiglia. Italian Consul Gen
eraI, representing the official life Of Italy. in
feTvent speech thanked the American people for
their sympathy so generously expressed in the
work of suCcor OF his compatriots
i was noticeable that large part Of the two
thousand in the audience Americans. The
programme, besides the addresses, consisted of a
concert by band Of hundred italian musi-
clans. The first number was The Star Spangled
Banner and the italian Royal March," which
was followed by Chopin's Funeral March" Pres
ident Patrick f MCGOWAN of the Board of Alder
men presided. He read several kilograms OF re-
Gret including messages from President Roose-
Welt, President-elect Taft, Governor Hughes and
Congressman James -. Sherman, Nice-President-
elect. Chairman MCGOWAN introduced Monsignor
Lavelle. vicar general. who offered prayer. where
upon many of the Italians present knelt the
floor their seats.
The mention of the prompt action taken by Pres
ident Roosevelt aroused great applause.
Mr.. Fairbanks, who New York especially
10 be present at the benefit. was Of the speak
ers who referred to President Roosevelt's prompt
and Independent action. saying: The first shock
OF earthquake had scarcely died away before Pres
ldent Roosevelt with merciful promptness and in
NJ
with supplies and sent them on their way to the
cities and peoples who in such distress"
The speech of the President. in part follows:
The catastrophe which but few days ago Wis
iesit las ~ttm b Sdct swithesS and SuGh terrIR!e NE
Will search history in vain to find calamity more
property. or one which more profoundly touched
the sympathes Of mankind
We are bound TO Italy by many ties so many
Of her sons and daughters have become incor
porated into our citizenship, that the calamity
seems almost as Il it had visited
uonal household. one touch of sorrow makes all
our country and our countrymen are superbly
am Immensely gTatifvtnF f9ct tbst the voice Of
seas never falls unheeded upon American ears.
~ vain. Their ample treasures and overfio"lng
EIanaaies are WlnGly dlvlGed WIN LGse VINO VINO are are
stricken, regardless OF IN" flag TO Wnlch they owe
allegiance. our Countrymen everywhere are
neighbors aiding them promptly and aDundantly,
Their needs are great, and they are being greatly
The first shock Of earthquake had scarcely died
promptness and In advance Of the authority -
Congress loaded our ships with supplies and sent
are iu such sore distress. The Congress 81 the
J-nFed states. with unusual dispatch and gTatlfy-
lE . ,-.so, II, fii,r.1I 70 ala tho
people whose pitjable condition appeals 70 every
and ccrerni,s aciion the President ana the CON
gress gave expression to the charitable instincts
of the American people. .. -
The government cannot do all. II should not 90 90
all The people In their i1diydosi "sp"G"g o &%u'q
O. % 'h@n egr rsat Az onn0rty1jtv has come
to Us and that IS tho opportunity 70 contribute
and save from suffering and death thousands
"4P eGaprd tr% sa saseTs IS m n sFncance
II honor I" our day and our race II mans ni7,
rnired with the spirit Of the Good samaritan than
which there IS nothing sublineT in alt this WoII"
uavor Mcclellan said that the catastrophe in
Southern Italy affected tho people of New York
with reculiar force because in this city there is
population of nearly half Il million Italians
NO one can know Italy said the Mayor. with
out regarding her kindred. As We hav" shared
their happiness SO. too, her sorrow has become our
own She has given freely Of civilization. art and
science In her hour Of agony italy has called for
help and for the debt We have incurred we now
should consider it an obligation and duty to help
About saonrD has been contributed in this city
from private means but that is not enough I ask
all as Mayor Of this city. TO give in accordance
with their means for no subscription IS 100 small
not 10 be thankfully received.
Count Massig!ia read a Telegram, from Raron
Nayor des Planches. Italian Ambassador at Wash
irCton which contained glowing praise for the
heartiness with which this country has extended a
helping hand TO his stricken countrymen. The
consul general. in speech that was marked with
show of great emotion said: NO example Of
human solidarity has ever eQualled the one that
tho American people have given To the world in
this great crisis. and IT will be Italy greatest
glory 20 be under obligations To this country
Bishop Greer said that We are all brethren
together with one strong hand and one common
Father In our help Of our brothers across the sea
We will do all can. of every faith, Of every
creed In behalf of Italy"
Congressman Sulzer. who represents a district
with large Italian population told of the sorrow
of the East Side and promised that the people of
that part Of the city would do their part In help
ing the work OF relief
Henry C'Iews said in his speech: Let impress
upon all those who have come to our shore that.
in time of need America, and particularly New
York always does its duty"