The Portland daily press., 1900-09-14

Raw ~A+D~~AN
Ing good effect ana both the News and
Tribune are urging prompt succoring of
the suffering and then equal promptness
in reconstruction. 1t is difficult to say
yet what the ultimate effect of the dlsas-
ter is to be ON the city. Many people
have left and
SOME MAY NEVER RETURN.
The bulk Of the population, however, is
only temporarily panic stricken and there
are hosts Of those who helped to make
Galveston great who look upon the
catastrophe as involving only a temporary
halt in the advancement OF the city.
What is most bothering business men
at present is what attitu lie the railroads
ana especially the Southern Pacific, are
to assume with respect to reconstruction.
The decision of the transportation lines
will do more than anything else to restore
confidence. The steamships reported
ashore in the early reports are, save two,
the Norwegian steamer Gyller and the
British steamer Norma, still high and
dry.
Apparently, however, Galveston has no
immediate need for ships The destruc-
zion of the bridges OF all the railroads en-
tering the city, makes it we'll nigh impos-
sible to furnish outgoing cargoes. These
bridges were each about three miles in
length and the work OF reconstruction
will be a stupendous undertaking.
One of the most serious results Of the
storm has been the stopping OF the electric
lights and street car plants. The city has
been in absolute darkness for several
nights and only a few concerns who oper-
ate their own illuminating service are en-
abled to do business. Nearly every resi-
denoe has gone back to the primitive
candle. The absence OF street lights
drives all who have no imperative bust
ness on the streets to their homes at
tenn is made more difficult thereby and
the opportunity for looting greater.
The motormen deserted their cars when
the fury OF the wind and the rash of the
water made it no longer possible to oper-
ate them. Attempts are being made now
to get the cars into shape again. The
great destruction OF live stock has eIimi-
mated the carriages and cabs as a means
of transportation and the need of the troll
" promises to become a most pressing
one when rebuilding begins. Among the
worst sufferers by the disaster were the
churches. Nearly everyone of them felt
the effect OF the storm. Some of them
ARE ENTIRE WRECKS,
absolutely beyond repair.
The work of relief continues energetic
ally. Mayor Jones and his associates are
bending every nerve to open a direct line
OF transportation with Houston, by which
he may be enabled promptly to receive
the great quantity Of provisions which
are now on the way to the city.
Il wish to say, however" said Mayor
Jones, 1--WE have mace such arrangements
as will make it possible for US to feed the
needy until we can get in our supplies
We are relieving every case presented to
us, L hink within day OF two our
trans ortaJion facilities will be sufficient,
temporarily, to meet our needs.
Galveston has helped other cities in
their distress, despite her size and we
are consoled by the generous response Of
the country to our appeal"
The relief committee is striving to
systemize it's work and there is undoubt-
eddy distress which ought promptly to
be relieved. Weazen faced, barefooted
children were engaged yesterday on
the streets in eagerly appropriating
spoiled and cast off stocks of food. The
committee has instructed the drug stores
to provide the poor and needy with medi-
cine at the expense OF the relief fund
TRAIN LOADS OF SUPPLIES.
Austin, Texas. September 1S-Advioes
to Governor Sayers today indicate that
several trains loaded with supplies Tor the
destitute are en- route to Galveston.
Governor Sayers made the following
statement to the Associated Press to-
night:
1.-THE city authorities at Galveston are
in full control and every effort is being
made to lind and bury the dead, to re-
move the debris and sanitate the city.
Contributions OF the most liberal charac-
ter are continually reaching me and 1
snail see that thu money Is used to the
very best advantage for the sufferers and
that there shall be no waste of the mag
ni1cont contributions coming from the
free hands and generous hearts of a SYM
pathetic people. In behalf OF the people
Of Texas, 1 desire to express my acknowI-
edgment 10 the people OF the United
States for the ready and generous re-
Spouse they have made IN coming to the
aid Of our afflicted people. The number
OF deaths. the amount of destitution and
the loss of property, is lar greater than
had been anticipated"
LIFE SAVING MEN ARRIVE.
Washington, September 10 General
superintendent Kimball of the life saving
service, has received kilograms from the