New-York tribune., 1919-10-13
CALI Curci Aids
In Launching Drive
For Italian Relief
Columbus Day Observed
With Recital at Metro
politan Opera House
=. for $l25,O00 Campaign

The Italian War Relief Fund OF
America celebrated Columbus Dav in
the Metropolitan Opera House yester-
day afternoon when Galli-Curci gave
q complimentary recital. and the first
contributions in the $125,OOO drive for
immediate relief in Italy were received
in response to the platform persuasions
Of Mrs. William Vanamee.
AS she finished singing Auber's
"Bourbonnaise" Galli-Curci was pre-
sented by Robert Underwood johnson,
president of the New York branch of
the Italian War Relief Fund, with a
gold medal, having a bas-reief or We
diverse OF the Santa Maria. He hoped
1t would serve to remind her in years
to come. he said, of the material COM
fort and happiness she was giving to
thousands of her fellow countrymen
IN Italy by appearing in recital fo-
their benefit.
Lieutenant Bruno Roselll, born a
Italy's part in the war, declaring that
no other land had given as much for
the cause Of liberty as the country
whose uniform he wore In addition to
It's 100000 fighters and it's 2,8O1 900
casualties, Italy had given three
quarters of its wealth, said Lieutenant
Roselli, ..
Tells of Italian Heroism
comfy the snow-capped Alps and the
Adriatic can tell Of the heroism of the
Italian soldicrs.' he declared. "Only
they know whether or not we went in
to the war .actuated by selfish motives,
as some politicians and propagandist sts
would have you believe. Italy has al
ways been passionate lover Of liberty
and we would like to obtain freedom,
too. for our brothers in lands which
VIC expect to have returned to u.s."
Mrs. Vanamee, secretary of the New
York committee Of the Italian War Re-
lief Fund, evoked the ghosts Of the
past to inspire the huge audience to
give generously for Italian war relief
She brought cheers as she spoke OF
Columbus, Dante, Garibaldi and Roose-
velt. She pictured italy as naked and
starving, its children weeping for lack
OF food, its wounded soldiers in dis
trcss. Then she asked for contribu-
thousands. American and Italian gov-
crnment officials attended the recital
and Italian colors blaZed throuhout the
opera house.
How Funds Will Be Used
to insure the continued operation of
the New York committee of the Italia n
War Relief through the winter. The
funds raised since IL was organized, in
June, i9iS, have amounted to Sl3S.-
43S.46 The proceeds from the recital
and campaign will be expended: For
the war orphans Of Italy, through Of
fetal organizations; for tubercular
children of veterans at the hospital at
,1.,b~ 4 ,.<-l
Comitato pro Mutilati of Milan; for
dry milk for war orphans. for the re-
lief of the families of Pava veterans.
or aid to gondoliers, through the Mayor
OF Venice; for the school children Of
Italy. for soldiers blinded in the war.
A poem by Mr.. Johnson entitled "The
Only Doll in the Valley" was distrib-
uted. 1t took the form of an appeal
for dolls to be sent. to the headquar-
ters of the committee, at BAT Madison
Avenue. that the children Of Italy may
have some Christmas cheer.
About 1000 persons attended a
Columbus Day meeting held at Carne-
gle Hall last night under the auspices
of the Knights of Columbus. Joseph
+. Coleman presided. The meeting was
opened with the singing of "The Star
Spanglcd Banner by the Glee Club Of
the Friendly Sons of st. Patrick, led
by George II. Garland.
The speakers were the Rev. John A.
Ryan, D. D., professor of sociology at
the Catholic University of America; :;
Harry p. Swift, chairman Of the New
York Chapter of the Knights of CO.
lumbus; cambridge Colby, Homer
Williams and Judge William D. Gun
ningham. of the Court of Claims.
Or. Ryan's address dealt with "The
Radcalism of Labor and the Autoc-
racy of Capital" They had met, he
said, in the steel strike. Labor was
abusing its power there, he said.
"through lack of reasonable modera-
tior.' +. II. Gary had been auto
cratic, he continued. in refusing to
listen TO the accredited representa-
tives of certain Of his employees who
had grievances to present.