Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-03
President Recommends Appro-
priation of 500, 600 for the
Salem Fire Sufferers.
PLEA is SUPPLEMENTED
BY GOVERNOR OF STATE
Miss Mabel Boardman Solicits Con-
tributions Through Red Cross
Headquarters.

President Wilson sent . special mes
sage to Congress today urging tmmedi'
ate appropriation Of 100000 for the re
lief of those made homeless and desti.
tute in the Salem. Mass, IRE He in
closed telegram from Gov. Walsh say
ing that 5000 families were In need.
The Presidents message was as fol.
lows:
Tho Governor Of Massachusetts, has
sent me the following telegram:
The Salem fund Is Increasing slowly
The expense Of rehabilitation will b<
enormous, a. 5000 families are home
less and without work. II the national
government could appropriate $500. 00t
1t would assist greatly. I am informed
that the action Of the national govern
ment at tho time Of the San Francisco
disaster furnished = precedent. Car
anything in the way Of substantial con.
tribution from the national government
be obtained?
In view of the great number Of home.
less and destitute In Salem. I very earn.
estly urge the immediate appropriation
by Congress Of 100000. as requested by
the governor. to be expended under the
direction OF the Secretary OF War" wrote
the President.
The message was referred to the ap'
preparations committee, which will prob.
ably take it up early next week.
Miss Boardman Makes Appeal.
Appeal for relief funds to assist those
in Salem. Mass. who have lost thei,
homes and their employment in the
city is made today by Miss Mabel T
Boardman. chairman of the nationa
relief board of the American Red Cross
by-the-Sea, less than twenty miles
from the scene OF devastation
Miss Boardman recalls that no ap-
peal for assistance was ever made te
Massachusetts in vain: she reviews the
losses suffered by the working people
in the factory district that was burned
out and tells how the funds contributed
will be used until employment can be
found for the thousands Of sufferers
and they are provided with more suit
able homes.
Her appeal Is as follows:
The people of this fine. old Common
wealth Of Massachusetts have responded
most generously to the needs of Salem.
and at first 1t was the hope Of the relief
committee that no assistance outside the
state would be needed.
"A more complete and thorough invesd-
cation Of the situation has revealed the
fact that the relief problem is far larger
than at first supposed. Not only have
but the burning Of the large factories and
mills has deprived them of their means
of livelihood. To prevent still fur
ther suffering and distress. these peo-
pie must be cared for until employ
ment and more adequate shelter than
tents, schools and other crowded dwell
ings can be provided for them. !! The
committee on employment is making
every effort to secure work until the
mills can be rebuilt.
Two Thousand In One Camp.
In the largest camp at Forest River
Park there are over 1900 men. women
and children. At the outdoor kitchens
the occupants Of the tents secure their
food in tin plates and cups, take it to a
large tent where tables and benches are
provided No food Is allowed in the tents
as it Is necessary to maintain clearly
conditions in order to prevent disease.
The daily expense Of providing food Tor
from 5000 to 10000 persons amounts to
thousands Of dollars, and Is eating It's
way rapidly into the relief fund
Large quantities Of clothing have been
donated to the Red Cross clothing bureau
but great quantities of blankets and mat.
tresses had to be purchased. Continued
warmer clothing, moro blankets and the
flooring Of all the tents In the camps
The Red Cross has provided q large mum.
Der of its eflcient enrolled Red Cross
nurses who are doing most excellent serv-
ice at headquarters, the camps, maternity
and contagious hospitals. The patients
and nurses Of the Salem Hospital, which
was burned, are being cared for at the
Beverly Hospital Milk stations. where
proper food for babies Is prepared. have
been established at the camps and In
other parts Of the city. and at the mater
nifty hospital babies have been born every
day since the fire.
Lose All Their Possessions.
Many of the refugees are Canadian
French. Poles. Italians and Greeks. bu
there are also large number OF Amer
leans. The people are brave. but it is pa
thetic to watch the trembling lips anC
tear-h eyes Of some good woman a,
she tells you Of the loss Of her little hom.
and Of the beloved household treasures
Few Of the people had any insurance. ant
save for q little hastily gathered clothing
generally lost all they had. They neet
help, which should Be and will be giver
them.
mo call for aid was ever made t.
Massachusetts, in vain. and now tn
American Red Cross. our great nationa
mutual aid society, asks that our people
help the sufferers in this old common
wealth.
Contributions can be sent to local Rec
Cross treasurers or to American Rec
Cross headquarters. Washington. D. c.
for Salem