The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-04

With eyes across the sea and with
poignant interest which those not Of the
bleed CO nor know. the Italians Of Wash
.ngton took the first steps yesterday to-
ward organizing their share in the relief
work for desolated Sicily.
a mass meeting was held in Trades
Union Han, SO G street northwest. under
the direction of sixty-dve Of the more
prosperous Italians. who discussed what
means las within their power 10 help.
All are k5enly conscious OF the colossal
need.
Long before the hour Of meeting Ital-
ians began 10 gather in front Of the hall,
and when tie appointed hour had ar
rived the street was blocked with sunny
sons
The meeting WAS called by the ConitatO
Columhiano. a society combining the
eight Italian societies OF Washington on
The platform were seated the presidents
and secretaries OF TIE various societies.
representing some OF the most prominent
wholesale merchants i'm the city.
Embassy Represented.
The meeting was called TO order by
Fietro Radice. vice president Of the Conf
tato CJlumhiano. surrounded by a num-
Der Of the leading Italians Of the city,
including representatives from the en-
bassv
r. Pier Giavira. general secretary Of
the society. then explained why the meet
ins had been called.
Prof Cello. Of the local branch OF the
American Federation OF Musicians. then
made a short speech. in which Re said
the local union would Offer its services at
a benefit concert and would heartily ren-
der lis aid aI an- other performance
which might b. under contemplation
u was then decided 90 postpone a con
cert which was TO have been given on
January - by the society and that in
stead The proceeds from The tickets be
don ted .o the Italian Red Cross Society.
a committee was then appointed 20 So
Iici- subscriptions from the colony for
che sufferers IN Sicily The committee
WIZ be divided ard VIII visit every Italian
quarter IN the four parts II Washington.
a committee was also appointed 70 make
arrangements for the use of one OF the
local thaa-=rS next Sunday. when the
concert WfI he held This committee VIII
confer with Manager Rapley. Of the New
National Ttea-e- to-day. and unless
something else IS booked for that night &
IS probable this house viii be used.
What THeater Managers say.
q number Of the local managers were
seen last evening. and each said he
would place lis house ~ the Italians
disposal IT. he was called upon.
II am perfectly willing 20 offer the
Neu National ID be used in any way
which may seem ft 20 ,Ee society sad
Manager William r. Rap.ey last evening
1T is a good cause. and I an heartily ia
favor Of any steps which VIII aid IT.
Manager Berger. OF the Columbia Thea
ter said.
II viii place the CoIumb.a Theater at
the disposal Of the Italians Il I am called
upon. TIE tLeater is in use every Sun
dav evening. bur.I would gladly turn It
over % them in the afternoon. II they so
desire and. Furthermore. f I can in any
way assist in furnishing talent I viii
gladly d7 So. IF possible"
The above statements reveal the senti-
-nent Of TIE theatrical managers. and it
IS probable the committee viii have little
difficulty iu Obtaining theaJer.
one Of the members Of the committee
said yesterday the society hoped 10 real
iZr ab0u- $3.50 from The benefit perform
ance-
The Italians are contributing great
deal Of money 10 the cause. and VIII send
&1 to-d5E or tomorrow 10 Italy a
collection taken yesterday amounted TO
Sfo and while the meeting was IN prog
ress the society Of Generate Giuseppe Gar
iaai5i succeeded IN raising S-1 among its
members It is said the Uni0ne g Fratei-
lama. which is composed OF the wealth
lest It2Esns in the city. VIII probably
contribute N.ol4
sent Directly TO Italy.
The money VIII not be sent 10 the
American Red Cross Society. but viii be
forwarded direct to the Italian society.
accompanied by a letter Of sympathy
from the colony in this city
That The fatal city 81 Messina has many
sons in Washington was proved yester-
day. when the fact became known that
some ef the Sicilians in this CITY lost
relatives in the recent disaster. Seven
New YORK whence they VIII take the
steamer for Italy. and eudeavor 20 dis
cover The Whereabouts Of their families.
The names OF these could not be learned
last night
In tte past f=Er DAYS a number Of
Italian newspapers have written 10 some
Of The leading Italians IN this city ask
Ing that certain Sicilians b. located. as
they had received word relatives had
been lost in the earthquake. Every ef-
tort vas made 20 locate these relatives
in Washington. but without success and
il was concluded they had left the city
upon learning Of .re disaster.
Tie next meeting of the Cornitato Co
lCmhiaro VIII De held Wednesday evening
20 lie Eagles Han in r street north
west This v-iu be open 10 the entire