Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-06
GO ARD WORKING HARD
WHAT THE CITIZEN soLDIERY
IS DOING AT FRISCO.

Reports received here from San Francisco
show that the members of the National
Guard of California. well as the regular
troops did some effective work there IN
the great emergency.
Lieut. Col. Edward j. Dirnmick, inspector
of small arms practice for the state of
Arkansas. but whose home Is in this city,
is in receipt of a letter from Oakland. Cal
The writer. Sergt. Maj. George E. Heber
served in the Cuban campaign of 1898. He
is a member of the District of Columbia
branch of the Society of the Army of San
tiago de Cuba. The letter. dated April 90,
follows:
We'll, here l am, soldering again. My
regiment was called out a week ago yes
terday, and of course. 1 could not remain
at home when there was anything doing.
They are using US. too. We have not
mad corporafs guard In the camp at any
one time, We are doing guard and police
duty all over this end of the country, and
1t seems like old times.
Il received the appointment of sergeant
major of the LIST Battalion the day we left
and 1t has been work night and day ever
since; but they are feeding US well and
we are provided with good tents and equip
ments. so we are O.K.-much better than
in the old days of '98.
Will Never Forget Sight.
San Francisco is. or rather was, a
sight l shall never forget. They are max
ing very good progress cleaning the debris
from the streets, and now have cars run
ming part of the way Market street.
The military are in absolute authority
and everything is going like cIockwork We
do not know how long we shall remain
here-maybe a week more, maybe q month
or even two or three"
THAT letter clearly shows" Col. Dim
mick SAID TO Star reporter, that the re-
port which somehow got out to the effect
that the National Guard was giving the
United States army no aid in California is
entirely erroneous. 1t will be noted that
Sergt. Heber's regiment comprises a part
or provisional brigade, which means
doubtless, that all the available men of the
California National Guard have been placed
on duty. How well they are performing
that duty may be judged by the tone of the
letter.
Commissioner Macfarland has received
from Chief William T. Belt of the District
fire department the following communica-
ton:
The officers and members of the District
of Columbia fire department have contri-
buted $271 for the sole benefit of the officers
and members of the San Francisco fire de-
partment. l respectfully ask that you turn
amount over to the proper persons to be
forwarded to James d. Phelan, chairman
of the finance committee, at San Fran
cisco, and that he be instructed to deliver
the amount to the officers and members Of
the San Francisco fire department.
II enclose letter of sympathy, which
desire to have sent"
Letter of Sympathy.
The letter of sympathy follows:
ITO the officers and members of the San
Francisco fire department
Dear Friends and Brothers: We, the
officers and members of the Washington
d. c.. fire department. send you herewith
our heartfelt sympathy in the hour OF the
awful calamity which has befallen your
city by earthquake and fire
I'VE deeply deplore the death of your
and all others who may have met the same
fate, and to those of you who have worked
persistently for so many hours trying to
save the lives and property of your fellow
men. all honor to you.
1T may seem to you that we are a little
tardy in extending our sympathy, but We
have a very good and plausible excuse to
give our department Is one Of the poorest
paid throughout the United States, and
the day after the earthquake the firemen
of this city, to a man, contributed $271,
great many not having the amount at the
time had to wait until the pay day follow
ing. which was yesterday, the LIST instant
This amount was contributed solely for
your benefit.
Trusting that you will accept 1t with
the same feeling with which 1T is given. we
are, Yours fraternalIy
The letter was signed by Chief Belt, rep
resenting the officers and members of the
District of Columbia fire department.