The San Francisco call., 1906-08-26

MAJ u the schools have been ad-
w ministering relief in San
francisco according to the
most scientific and approved methods
the women OF Santa Clara. County have
been trying their unframed hands at
It The way these women have pona
about IT can be described from the
viewpoint OF a scientist by Just one
word-shocking. They haven't had a
working machine; they haven't had
q theory, a commission. a corporation
or even a scientific investigator
They've Just relieved distress where
they found It, regardless Of the fact
that they might be administering to
the unworthy, or perhaps making a
chronic pauper.-
fon't think for a moment that am
arologizing for these reckless women
when say that they have in their
unscientiac way done a tremendous
amount Of good There are babies
alive today who would have died dur
ing the first dark days following the
fire had It not been for these women.
There are mothers and fathers in the
camps OF San Francisco who see a
clear road out OF their troubles be-
cause Of them There are little chill
dren who have toys and playthings
and have had outings down in the
Santa Clara Valley just because of
santa Clara womens well-meant, per-
haps, but decidedly unscientifc meth
DDS OF relief There are children
placed in homes nestled among the
fruit orchards Of Santa clara Valley
where they will remain until their
parents can re-establish themselves. all
due 10 the blundering course of women
who haven't so much as read Dr. De-
vines book on the care OF the de-
fective. delinquent and dependent
classes. No; am not apologizing for
these Santa Clara Valley women. In
their ridiculous ignorance Of the path
oIogy Of sociology they may think that
they need no apology. So we will
droD them out Of our story, keep them
IN 3 background as much as we can,
an1 describe their work. If their
method had only been scientific there
would nave been a whole lot in it TO
admire-in fact, there may be some
danger Of our being tricked in un-
guarded moments into bursts Of ad-
miration. But no admiration or even
approval is intended, for inasmuch as
their work has been clearly irregular
and unscientific It can only be regarded
with that distant and respectable toll
erance so characteristic of the scientific
man.
The women of Santa Clara County
began their work Of relieving suffering
the day Of the fire and are still at il.
santa clara County had an earthquake
itself. but no fire. The people down
there. in view Of the san Francisco
catastrophe forgot their own troubles
and cast about for some practical way
10 assist in relieving the stricken peo-
pie OF the metropolis. They didn't have
TO do much hunting. Opportunity
came TO them just as fast as steam
could draw IL Thousands of refugees
poured into Santa Clara Valley They
were met with warm welcome and the
divided loaf At meeting held at
San Jose three days after the fire to
! consider the refugee problem one
shortsf ghted individual suggested that
the valley needed all its food stuff for
itself. that II had nothing to spare for
the burned city. The shOrtsighted one
was promptly given to understand that
Santa Clara Valley down to its last
loaf Of bread was going to divide
such was the spirit Of the men of
Santa Clara Valley II was also the
spirit Of the women.
Caring for the Babies.
What struck the women most forcibly
was the pitiable condition OF the
mothers with babies who arrived at
the san Jose railroad station in droves
During the two weeks following tne
ere between 10000 and $4,000 refugees
r,asse5 through this station. All were
weary and worn and nerve-wracked,
b,,t the babies and their mothers worst
81 all The babes had been unwashed
for 6ays, some were practically naked,
all had been without their reBu anu
--ener food. So the big-hearted, albeit
7tnscfentffc, women of Santa cara
estabIished two tents at the San Jose
,afIroad station, where babies and
heir mothers could be properly cared
Tor Tbis was the beginning OF the
work Of the women OF SANTA Sia1 Sia1a
C,ountv that grew and developed until
Il broke into san Francisco and
dragged and is dragging youngsters
h., che score down into Santa cara
dapunty. where they can be properly
1red for while their parents are re-
building burned nomes.
PM to return TO the two tents
There in the two weeks Immediately
following the fire 700 babies were
v,asIed. dressed, fed and each given an
ouf6t Of clothing calculated 70 last 1t
= wear. At one time ninety babies were
IN the tents There was no lnVestlga-
So, ~ fndivfdual cases. The babies
were hungry and they were fed; they
were dirty as Piute Indians and they
were washed: they were naked and
fbev were clothed. The percentage OF
the 700 that have been pauperized py
- ..scferff6c and irresponsible