Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-12

Piloted by white-haired seaman amid
cheers of 1900 persons, screaming of river
craft whistles and the strains Of La
Brabanconne," Belgium's national an
them. Philadelphia's mercy ship Thelma
sailed at 1916 today. She is loaded with
food for starving Belgians
As the good ship, freighted with 1900
tons of provisions. backed of into the
stream from Dock street pier. men and
boys waved their hats and cheered Justify
while women waved handkerchiefs.
A delegation of Philadelphians who a
years ago stood on the Washington ave-
nue. wharf when the steamship Indiana,
carrying food for the Russian famine suf-
ferers, sailed. were on the pier to bid
the Thelma bon voyage.
Sailing of the steamship Thelma. which
was outfitted in few days by charitable
Philadelphians, was witnessed by Mayor
Blankenburg, members of his cabinet, and
the committee OF the newspaper publish
ers OF this city who aided in the move
ment In behalf of the starving Belgians.
TASK OF LOADING RUSHED.
With no mishap, good weather and =
favorable tide. Phlladelphia's mercy ship
ought to pass the Delaware capes about
8 o'clock tonight.
A squad of longshoremen finished
their work OF loading the ship at 1l:35
this morning. The pier was jammed
with persons long before that time. The
crowd was orderly and obeyed orders
given by the police. AS the crowd be-
came larger 1t was necessary to rope
Off the entrance of the pier
John Wanamaker, Mayor Blankenburs.
Directors Porter, Loeb and Norris were
early arrivals at the pier.
Captain Hendrickson saluted the Mayor.
Mayor Blankenburs returned the skip
per's greeting by lifting his soft hat.
MAYOR GREETs SKIPPER.
Both the Mayor and Mr.. Wanamaker
walked up the gang plank and shook
hands with the Norwegian sea captain.
They discussed the weather and touched
upon other topics. As the Mayor and Mr..
Wanamaker left they again shook hands
with the captain who assured them he
realized the Importance OF his mission.
On the pier the Girard College Band,
under the direction Of Horace r, Anders.
rendered selections, The Star spangled
Banner was played while hundreds OF
men stood bareheaded.
When noon neaFed Mr.. Wanamaker,
Mayor Blankenburg, Directors Cooke.
Loeb and Harte, Francis b. Reeves. =.
J, De Mey, Consul Paul Hagemann, John
G, Martin, Bishop Thomas j. Garland, of
the Episcopal Church; Captain Henrich-
sen, Norman Mcleod and others in the
party who had been standing on tho
bridge, walked aft and down a nimsy
ladder to the deck, where they gathered
on a large canvass covered hatch,
The Glrard College Band stood above
them on the stringpiece OF the pier, and
behind them and on each side the great
crowd jostled and pushed for vantage
points.
MAYOR ADDRESSES THRONE.
The band played America" and the
little single line ON the hatchcover baFes
heads. Mayor Blankenburg motioned for
silence.
twenty-five years ago, he said, NPhil7
adelphla sent a relief ship for starylns
peasants In Russia. Today we are elAeaih
engaged in the MNAk "a AAt~+Na-
dsipbia Is called The City Of BFothefly
Loye-that love extends outside It's 9Nn
boundaries outside the boundaries Of tbs
country. Today We are sending aid 20 tns
Relaian nou-combatants. Another ship
win soon be on its way who knows pue
that these two vessels will be the nrsr
OF a series carrying food and susteAanee
10 the stsrving Relgians,
Bishop Garland recommended the sat1
passage OF the Thelma TO the Divinity
and prayed the cargo would relieve me
SUFFERING OF the people for whom Il WAS
intended
Captain Henrichssn Was pulled about
10 meet members of the eoEnmittee ana
halted by inquisitlte spectators me
wanted 10 know how long i would ~
him 10 reach Rotterdam. DroQ44.
spsneied his forehead when he tAyir
Ms hat aud shook hands uitne eida1
maker last before tbs
Mayor Blankenburs affhe Suit
maker cast on the foER a. 49,,
sisted By longshoremq . -+t
Relief Committee