The San Francisco call., 1906-07-09
Sane Celebration of Fourth
Cause of Great Glee in
the Civic Organization.
Won't Somebody Induce Au-
thorities to Subdue the
Van Ness Avenue Dust?
BY Laura Bride Powers.

journed to reconvene at the call of .ne
chair.
In its passing--brought about by the
absorption of power by the National
Red Cross-it is but fair to note it's
service to the city before the arrival
of the national representatives.
Off1cered by Mrs. John r. Merrill, it
had succored the wounded, fed the hun
cry and housed the homeless.
And more than that, 1t had neryed
humane duty. The courage Of the
women in that temporary Red Cross
headquarters-Mrs. Merrills home
until the flames licked 1t UP, put new
courage into the men, and sent them
off on errands of mercy, forgetful of
fatigue or heartache or sacrif1cce.
True, abuses occurred during the
crisis.
Unscrupulous people seized upon the
public sorrow and the consequent chaos
to feast their gluttony. San Francisco
is no Utopia, and many thieves, polite
and otherwise, fed fat. That, however,
is the history of every great calamity.
It's the time for the revelation of mems
natures
cisco Red Cross, with Mrs. Merrill and
her corps of coworkers, had the situa-
tion well in hand two hours after the
flames had started out on their Satanic
feast.
Unremittingly they stayed at their
posts, directing, suggesting, planning,
even while their own homes were far
ing up in flames.
Then came DR.. Edward P. Devine of
New York, the special representative
of the National Red Cross.
Naturally, to trained charity work
er, such as Dr. Devine, there were many
unprofessional methods in vogue. The
acute crisis was over-the flames had
died down, the earth had ceased its
tremors, and the mass-mind had be-
come more tranquil.
And then the systems" were insti-'
tuted-the academic methods of block
ing "repeaters" and grafters-the in
tentions of which were most excellent
and praiseworthy. But it had, alasl the
unfortunate effect of blocking relief to
the needy. 1t became involved, un-
wieldy, expensive, slow and un-San
Franciscan.
1t didn't seem to fit the temperaments
of the people, nor their conception of
the needs of the hour
There had been no precedent in the
history Of man whereby to measure
methods" or systems but the
thumbscrew. straitjacket, inquisitorial
methods instituted failed to appeal.
There lurked too much suspicion IN it
for the self-respecting. 1t smacked too
much of "charity-which distinctly it
was not.
In this type of work the hand of the
trained charity worker was visible; and
here too much taps" was sounded for
the volunteer workers in the Red Cross.
Distinctly was 1t the work of the AS
ISOLATED Charities-most excellent body
in normal times. but too mechanical,
too academic, too cold in such a crisis
as this. where a whole people is pros
trated.
In discussing this point with DR.. De-
vine a few days ago, he said, with
charming, half-excusing smile: Il don't
believe you like the Associated Char
tiles. You seem to have a special
grudge against It."
Delighted that his frankness had en-
ahled me to put up a defense against
unfairness, or that narrow thing
"grudge"-for I do love to play fair-I
told him, in addition to the foregoing
reasons. that the very name Charities"
is offensive to an independent but tenn
porarily embarrassed people. 1t is
signed to all communications sent out
by the rehabilitation committee, and
gives out the sentiment of almsgiying
and pauperizing-whtch: or course, it
distinctly is not.
But" said he, evidently appreciating
the validity of my stand, "the reason
the Associated Charities has taken hold
of the thing is because / needed
trained office force in the tremendous
work of official Investigations. And
that was the only available body-and
it's name, of course, must go with 1t.
Yes. suppose 1T nustl
And likewise suppose that we must
grow calloused to the name, since the
organization 1t stands for Is scheduled
to be the official middleman twixt the
rehabilitation committee and the needy.
All this is, of course, bit of senti-
mont-foolish. 1t may seem to trained
philanthropist from the East.
But San Francisco was nurtured in
sentiment and romance; 1t was Graded
in the traditions of old Spain, and the
glamour of the days before the Gringo
came" has left us rich In pride and
sentiment.
It's in the air, and the people breathe
1T even as they do the salt from the
sea. And therefore our art, our music
and our poetry!
Perhaps DIR. Devine-whom l salute
for his tremendous earnestness and
perseverance-will learn before he
leaves us what 1t is in our air that
makes US proud, sensitive and resent
full of Sights and insinuatlons.
But all this isn't what set out to
say.
primarily I desired to attest to the
work of the local Red Cross, and to
show how it was subsequently put
out of business-frozen out, to be
frankly the National Red Cross and
by it's hired body, the Associated Char
tiles. 1t may or may not have been
for the best, but it is out now for
keeps.
Coincident with the passing of the
San Francisco branch of the Red Cross
is the going out of commission of the
California Club relief COMMITTEES,
whose splendid service since the sec
ond day Of the 'fuss'' has demonstrat-
ed what club discipline can do.
When the cinders were yet flying
about in the Western Addition the
California Club women who hadn't left
town were hurrying around in auto
mobiles, delivery wagons and COM
mandeered buggies, to rally the club
together for relief work. And 1t had
work to do aplenty. BY the days
end the relief committee was in har-
ness.
In lieu of the beautiful Clay-street
clubhouse, then a smoldering ruin,
Mrs. A. w. Scott offered her home, 305
Buchanan street, for the work-a
grateful tribute to the fates for it's