Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-18
FATHER GA[ASS|
ASKSM' 'ADOO To
CLOSE R.R. CAMP!
Helpless Priest Appeals to
ScuIIy for Help at Port
Reading
CONDITION is REVOLVING
Mrs. J. v. Murphy, Guardian
Angel of Italians, Suffering
With Influenza
CONDITION is REVOLVING

Disguised with conditions, revolt
ing in the extreme, at the Phiiadel-
phia & Reading railroad camp at Port
Reading, Rev. Columbino Galassi has
taken action through Congressman
Scully to have the shanties at the
camp closed down and to have medi-
cal assistance sent Immediately to the
town.
Father Galassi, who Is pastor of st.
Anthony's church at Port Reading.
has been O constant fighter for better
conditions among the Italians who re-
side at the port. His fight against
the padrone system and the financial
system In vogue at the camp three
years ago resulted in the abolition or
that system, and he is now endeavor-
ing to have sanitary reforms made
which will wipe out the bed of disease
and filth that exists there now.
In the shanties which lie inside the
railroad companies property, there
are between 100 and 200 families, the
priest claims. The shanties are no
more than lean-tos, thrown together
into which the italian families are
herded. living In the novels, packed
together, breeding and spreading as
ease and germs.
In normal times the condition is re-
voting enough. but at present the
place Is q hotbed of influenza, whole
families being stricken with the dis
ease.
The town Is situated between
Woodbridge and Chrome. and there
are no doctors there to care for the
sick people. II one desires medical
assistance, 1t Is necessary to call a
physician from one or the other OF
those two places, and then visit Is
only made every three or four days.
whereas they are needed every day.
Father Galassi, disgusted with the
situation and feeling his helplessness
to cope with it, sent the following tel
egram to Congressman Scully. appeal
ing for help:
Hon. Thomas Scully,
House of Representatives,
Washington, d. c.
Influenza spreading rapidly In Port
Reading. People without medical as
sistance. Sanitary conditions in the
railroad camp revolving. Can you
help the unfortunate and have Nc
Adoo close these filthy shanties.
REV. c. GALASSI.
The reply received by the priest to-
day, said
Rev. G. Galassi:
Your telegram received. We have
taken up matter with u. 8. Public
Health Bureau and they will send
medical assistance to Port Reading.
rave also communicated with railroad
administration regarding situation in
railroad camp referred to in your
communication
THOMAS ]. SCULLY.
The inability to secure physicians
or nurses. at the camp has brought
about a terrible condition among the
inhabitants there. Mrs John w.
Murphy of Sewaren. who has always
taken a deep interest in the people of
the little town, and in st. Anthony's
Church, has been wonderful in the
work she has done at the camp. She
has worked tirelessly, doing the work
of nurses and doctors, and supplying
many of the people there with pro-
visions out of her own purse. She has
been assisted by her sister-in-Iaw.
Mrs. Vincent d. Shea. Her work is
described by Father Galassi, as being
that of an angel
The promise of assistance from
Washington is distinctly pleasing to
Father Galassi. whose particular inter.
est come in the fact sthat the popula-
tion/ of Port Reading Is composed
largely OF Italians, and the members
OF the railroad colony who occupy the
shanties are all italians. His is an
Italian Catholic Church. of which n
Is pastor. He is also pastor of the
local italian church
The railroad colony is situated
right near the coal piers and termi
nal of the p. e. r. and Is on the rail-
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