Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-30
Army Takes Charge of Distribution Of
Food Supplies.
SIX HUNDRED STATIONS ESTABLISHED
Issue Of Rations to Be Confined to WOmeT
and Children.
SCHEME TO SECURE REBUILDING FUNDS
city May Ask Government q
Guarantee LOng-Time Bonds
Bearing n Low Rate of
Interest.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 2.-The second
Sabbath since the fateful April Is has
served as a clearing house in the aftalrs
OF this ruined city. While the old-time
quietude is missing. the day has witnessed
less of the excitement. confusion and
clamor Of its immediate predecessors and
the community at large has been enabled
20 make oalmer survey Of the situation
and to enter into a more intelligent and
rational preparation for the future.
All possible work was suspended for the
day. and the tired ofhcials, who for nearly
two weeks have labored incessantly, with
little sleep, TO bring a semblance OF order
out Of chaotic conditions. took advantage
OF the lull to secure greatly needed rest
and to pay some attention to pressing
personal needs.
With the advent OF the Sabbath came an
opportunity to review the tremendous ac-
complishments Of the last eleven days to
provide remedies in the defects In the task
Of judiciously caring for all classes of the
destitute. irrespective Of race or creed.
Plans for solving the tremendous financial
problems that confront the city began to-
day to assume tangible form and Sunday
closed with the brightest prospect that has
faced San Francisco since three-fourths OF
Army to Distribute Relief.
Probably the most important development
Of tie day was the promulgation by Cen
erai Greeley of his plan for the distribu-
ton OF relief supplies. Reports of theft
deception, misapproprtation. waste and ex-
travaRance have been constantly received
since provisions and clothing began pour
ing in to succor the AFFLICTED, and it is now
believed that misuse of supplies will here
after be impossible
In the first days of the fire little or no
attempt was made to keep check on food
stuns. the main idea being to provide
against want. and 1t is natural that under
this excusable haphazard order of affairs
many abuses should arise. But even when
the lines were more tightly drawn un-
scrupulous persons continued to take ad-
vantage OF the general distress and II was
then realized that the salvation of the
situation rested with the army. Sc the
oficials OF this branch of the federal gov
ernment were called upon to engage in an
Unprecedented service. That success will
doubtless meet their efforts may be In
ferred from the completeness Of the plan
of General Greeley. The un"urned part OF
the city will be divided into seven dis
tricts in charge OF army officers, who will
assume control Of all the relief stations now
established.
Responsible civilians will be installed un-
der salary at the substations for the pur-
pose OF clerical work and daily records and
checks will be kept. 1t is declared that the
period OF extreme distress has passed and
at the earliest possible moment the issue
Of rations must be confined TO helpless
women and children and refused to adult
males, unless they are sick or in enfeebled
condition Issues Of luxuries or articles OF
special diet viii be confined to infants and
invads. Rigid economy Is enjoined upon
any officer engaged in relief work. In each
of the seven districts there will be 100 sta
tions The amount of food to be allowed
each person, with latitude for certain con
ditions, Is specified, and the allowance ii
based on the army ration.
Plan TO Secure Funds.
At the meeting today at which were pres
ent James ID. Phelan. chairman Of the
finance committee. and some noted lawyers
and bankers, a plan was broached foi
financing the city. which II is hoped will
meet with the endorsement of the genera
committee. 1t being estimated that the city
has suffered loss Of at least SGOGOO0OOO b,
fire. it is considered that there is not suf
fcent money in San Francisco to recon
struct the city and that the people her,
must look elsewhere for funds to rehabili
tate their destroyed fortunes
Mr. Phelan said that II the money II
borrowed through ordinary channels, tn,
rate of interest will add a burden L
necessarily increased taxation that will
be too heavy to bear. The plan of Mr.
Phelan is to frame legislation to presen
to congress asking the United States L
endorse the proposed bonds OF San Fran
cisco. With this guarantee OF the govern
ment, the city will be able to go into tn,
financial markets of the world and borrow
the needed money at TO pa per cent. tn,
bonds to run for nifty years and constitut,
mortgage on the best portion Of the city
Mr.. Phelan asserted that such legislation
would not be new In congress. 1t was b,
virtually such measures that the Centra
Pacific and Union Pacific railroads wer
built. and more recently by like Legislation
that railroads In the Philippines became as
sured to the people of the islands
The work OF furnishing the necessities o
life 10 the homeless and needy continue
with more system and with unabate,
energy. but despite the care OF the oficial
az the heads OF the bureaus complaints ar
reported Of oversiEhts in supplying sta
tons but these errors are quickly recti
fed Tomorrow the Red Cross people ex
pect TO have their individual ticket system
In operation and this will facilitate tn
plans Of the army in preventing abuses.
shelter for Practically All.
The number OF people without substantia
shelter has been reduced to a minimum
The housing committee reported today tina
its work had been almost completed. IN
applications for accommodations havin
ceased The work of this committee ha
neen lessened by the numerous departure
OF people IN tents to other parts OF IN
state RELIGIOUS services were held I'm IN
open air IN many OF the saved district
today and In churches that were pro
nOunced safe for immediate use throng
gathered TO listen 70 the sermons OF III
clerEymen.
Probabaly the most significant instance o
the determination of the onicials 10 brin
about a restoration OF the Old order Q
things ana OF the disposition OF the peopl