The San Francisco call., 1906-04-29
Mayor Schmitz Opposes Suggestion That the
Federal Troops Be withdrawn
:. From San Francisco.

IN the nina OF the secretary OI w al
as TO the necessity of keeping the Fed
eral troops on duty in aiding IN the
work of relief in San Francisco. The
present case is without precedent and
tho officials at washington are appre-
hensive lest the soldiers be employed
for mere police duty. The matter has
been called to the attention Of General
Greely by the War Department.
In order to clear up any uncertainty
which might exist letters have been
exchanged between Major General
Greely and Mayor Schmitz. in which
it is made evident that while the civil
administration is supreme, the coll
tinued cooperation Of the army Is
urgently desired. The letters were ex-
changed as a mere formality after
full understanding had been reached
and serve to form q permanent writ
ten record Mayor Schmitz not only
asks the military to continue its work
here, but requests that the force be
increased.
LETTER FROM GREELY.
The following letter was written to
Mayor Schmitz by Major General
Greedy, commander Of the Pacific Divi-
sion:
"SAN FRANCISCO. April 27.
Hon. E. 3. Schmitz. Mayor of San
Francisco: Dear Sir-The War De-
partment looks with doubt on the con-
tinued use of the army in connection
with the policing OF San Francisco
and also the operation and supervision
of relief measures, subsistence, santa
ton, shelter, etc.
From the hour Of my resumption
OF command on Sunday, April %, there
has been but one line of policy on the
part Of the army l. e., the thorough CO.
operation with, a complete subordina-
ton to the legally constituted authori
ties OF San Francisco. represented by
your Honor, In the performance Of all
nom military duties Of assistance in
matters of sanitation, policing, relief
assistance, etc.
while personally and officially will
ing to continue any work of relief
sanitation or otherwise, that may be
considered absolutely necessary and or
the highest Importance to this COM
munity. I cannot sanction the use of
the army on non-rdlitary duties an
hour beyond such obvious necessities
1.-THE continuance Of the use of the
army in any of these respects being
without distinct warrant, the law de-
wolves on me an unusual responsibility,
which I will continue to assume on
your verbal representation of the ab-
solute necessity thereof.
Twill you be kind enough to reduce
these opinions to written form so that
there may be no doubt and misappre-
hension on my part particularly with
reference to the questions of sanitation
and relief9 Very respectfully,
"GREELY,
Commanding General"
To this letter the Mayor replied as
fellows:
"Sir: I beg to acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of your communication Of the
9th inst, asking whether 1t was abso-
lutely necessary for the army to take
charge OF the relief measures, SUBJ
sistence, sanitation and shelter and
to assist also in policing San Fran
CISCO wish TO state that this ques-
tion was brought before the citizens
committee this morning and 1t was
unanimously decided that It was abso-
lutely necessary to the welfare OF San
Francisco and to relieve the distress
end suffering here that you continue
to take charge of the relief measures.
subsistence, shelter, ETC., and that you
continue to assist in the policing Of tho
city.
my opinion, that II you were to with
draw the very valuable assistance
which you have given US from the very
beginning almost two weeks ago 1t
would be impossible for the citizens of
San Francisco In the present crippled
condition to take charge OF these af-
fairs and to administer them in the
same manner in which II Is being done
at the present time. I therefore most
! earnestly request that you not only
use the present forces under your
command, but that you insist upon an
] additional force to help out in this good
work until such time as we may be
able to take entire charge of It. =.
The committee desires through me
to express its appreciation Of the mag
nif1cent work which the army has al
ready done and to say to you that we
do moi wish to put an unnecessary bur-
den upon you, but at the earliest op-
portunity will relieve you
Trusting therefore that no steps will
be taken to interfere with nor curtail
the work which you have magnanf-
nously, although perhaps without legal
right. assumed in the interests Of this
stricken people Of our city, and again
in their behalf extending you their
gratitude and esteem, I remain, very
respectfully yours,
"E. e. SCHMITZ.
Mayor OF the City OF San Francisco"
LETTERS EXPLAINED.
Explaining these letters to the citf-
zens' committee, Mayor Schmitz said
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