Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-29
Mayor and Citizens
Are Decidedly
Alarmed
Strictest Economy Is the
Watchword Of
Committee
Presidents Representative Warns
Chairman PheIan That Further
Assistance From This Source
Is Not to BE Expected
BY Associa ted Press.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 2s.--The
amount Of money on hand for immedi-
ate relief work and the continuance of
the military control of the city. subor-
dinate to civil authority, were two of
the most important subjects discussed
at the daily meeting of the citizens
committee of fifty which. headed by
Mayor Schmitz. now administers the
affairs Of San Francisco.
Both developed some interesting
phases and left in the minds of those
striving to relieve the somewhat cha
otic affairs of this unfortunate city the
necessity for two things-the strictest
economy in the expenditure of the
money now available and the urgent
need of continued military assistance.
Statement Causes Sensation
The statement of James d. Phelan.
chairman of the finance committee of
the citizens relief and Red Cross
funds, that he had been given to un-
derstand by Victor H. Metcalf, the rep
resentative of President Roosevelt, that
only 100000 of the $2,5OO.0Oo appropri-
ated by congress for the relief of San
Francisco was available, and that this
sum represented the extent of financial
assistance that might be expected from
that source, caused decided sensation
In the meeting.
Mr.. Phelan announced that Secretary
of War Taft had transmitted to his.
order 100000, which he said was the
first recognition the secretary had
made Of the relief work, and added that
he had been informed by Mr.. Metcalf
that the secretary of war had expended
the remainder of the fund for the pur-
chase of supplies in the east. Upon
corroboration of this statement by Mr..
Metcalf, Mr.. Phelan simply remarked
that there was only $518,000 available
cash to his order at the mint and the
strictest economy would be necessary.
City Needs More Money
1--WE need money" said Mr.. Phelan,
"and the country should not be led into
the belief that millions are on hand to
relieve the destitute people"
Both Mr.. Metcalf and DR.. Devine en-
dorsed Mr.. Phelan's remarks and vol
unteered to apprise Washington of the
situation. The generous appropriation
of congress had been counted upon by
the finance committee, and the knowl-
edge that only small amount of this
would be placed in their hands was
somewhat of a shock.
General Greey Writes Mayor
The question of the continued use of
federal troops to assist in the preser-
walton of the peace and good order OF
the city developed unanimity of opin-
ion among the civil and military au-
thorities.
letter from General Greedy, COM
manding the United States troops on
duty here, to Mayor Schmitz was read
in the committee meeting.
The general stated that the war de-
partment looked with doubt upon the
continued Nuse Of the army in policing
San Francisco, and added that while
he personally was willing to continue
any work of relief sanitation or other
wise, he could not sanction the use OF
the army on non-military duties an
hour beyond such obvious necessities,
and asked for written statement from
the mayor in order that there might be
no doubt or misapprehension on his
part as to the need of federal forces.
Want Troops to Remain
Mayor Schmitz, in commenting on
General Greely's letter. said that the
federal troops had given immeasurable
assistance to the city since the disaster
of April 1S. and he asked the commit
tee formally to approve of his action
IN asking the military to take charge.
and furthermore that the committee re-
quest this control be continued
After DR.. Devine of the Red Cross
had added his Endorsement of the
mayors remarks the motion to request
that the troops be permitted to remain
was adopted unanimously.
Victor H Metcalf, secretary of COM
merce and labor, read his report to
President Roosevelt and the presidents
reply thereto, both of which were re-
ceived by the meeting with cheers.
Mr.. AIetcalfs report was most COM
prehensive one and fully stated the
conditions existing in San Francisco
at the present time.
It's conservative tone and the lucid
ness with which the effects of the dis
aster were put. will, it is believed, go
far toward enlightening the powers at
washington on any and all points on
which they may have felt any doubt.
Generals Make Statement
Both General Greely and General
Funston made brief statements today,
in which they expressed the BELIEF
that the strong support of the mill
tary is now and will for some time to
come continue to be necessary for the
regulation of the city and assisting
the civil authorities to regain a thor
ough grasp of affairs.
Absolute order still prevails in San
Francisco.
The great city. which but a brief
time since was known the world over
as the second Paris" SO wide was its
reputation for gaiety and pleasure
seeking. has settled into the Quietest
Of communities in which the popula-