The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-05-11
HARTMAN
Is Optimistic About the
Future of San Francis
co-TelIs of the Earth
quake.

Omdht, NCp', huy q ~ IL
man in discussing the condition of
San Francisco was very optimistic,
declaring that the city will rise again
to take its place in the front rank of
American cities.
Mr.. Hartman said: The earth
quake was the most severe that has
occurred since San Francisco became
great city. This is evidenced by the
destruction of churches and other large
buildings, showing undoubtedly some
faulty construction-the older houses
erected by pioneers and early citizens
having in many cases withstood the
shock unharmed, as did also the re-
cent modern steel structures. 1t is
fortunate that the construction of
many large buildings was only in con-
temptation. Their erection can now
be pursued with the assurance of sub
stantial construction. Indeed, the eX-
perience win result in making San
Francisco the safest city in the coun-
try in which to Teside-absolutely
proof against Quakes and fires. When
San Francisco is rebuilt no material
danger by any future earthquakes need
be feared.
Under the new laws all buildings
will be constructed under requirements
which will prevent indiscriminate erec-
ton of faulty structures and which
will promote the possible artistic or
architectural effect by providing that
s,F bo b,,i1 Shal mr.
exceed one and one-half times the
width of the street and also that av-
enues shall be widened, which will
enable not only the beautifying of the
city but will prevent the spread Of
fires in the future and make possible !
a clearer means Of communication or
transportation.
Following the experience Of Chi !
cago and Baltimore, which have suf- |
fered from great destructive fires, it /,
is in every way reasonable to expect |
that San Francisco, upon reconstruc-
ton, within a reasonable time, will |
undoubtedly have reached point far |
beyond that which it occupied before |
the earthquake.
"The presence of the United States |
troops was great advantage and
their being so promptly and ably han
died by General F'unston, backed up |
subsequently by man like Major |
General Greedy, who took in hand the |
systemizing and reign of the distri- I
button of the relief supplies and the |
policing of the city by the regular /
troops The courage of the people, /,
remarkable in itself, was undoubtedly /.
kept up by the perfect security es- |
tablished by General Funston.
California was never more pros |
porous than this year. The crop out |
look is better than for many seasons |
past, and all business interests are |
on a sound basis with banks strong
in resources. Probably for that rea-
son San Francisco is better able to
stand such a catastrophe than any
other city in the country.
1.-The officers of the relief depart
ment, of whom Major Devol is chief, |
and Of the commissary department,
and especially the surgeons of the
army have all labored unremittingly
and effectively in caring for and dis
tributing supplies and organizing
camps and hospitals. The debt OF
San Francisco to the United States
army will neHer be discharged.
think that is the sentiment Of every
citizen. The state militia of CalifOr-
mia in some cases have been criticized,
but, to my mind, its officers and men
are entitled TO and will receive a full
share of the gratitude and respect of
the citizens Of San Francisco and of
the state. The men have few Oppor-
tunities for active service and are
therefore mainly untried, and it would
be unusual we're there not among them
a very few who might commit some
act of indiscretion, but such should
not call for the criticism of the whole
body
"The saving of the docks and water
front enabled the work of the rescue
relief TO be conducted much more ef-
fectively than would have otherwise
been possible. 1t is hard to imagine
what might have happened had means
of communication been restricted to
the narrow neck of land south of San
Francisco The saving of this part
of the city was mainly due to the CO.
operation of the naval department
under Admiral Goodrich, with the
civil and other forces.
ITO speak worthy word of Mayor
Schmitz and his admir- istration of the
eity's affairs during time which
would try the souls of the bravest
and strongest man would sound like
nattery, so fully and effectively has
he risen to the occasion, so calmly
and unselfishly has he labored with
citizens of every grade and political