Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-24
TO CONSTRUCT CAMPS
Homes for the People of San
Francisco.
GEN. GREELY IN COMMAND
Praises Funston's Energy, Judgment
and Tact.
CONDITIONS MUCH BETTER
No Suffering for Food or Water
Relief Trains Arriving-More
Troops Wanted.
CONDITIONS MUCH BETTER

Pacific Division, has arrived at San Fran
cisco and assumed command of the situa-
ton. At the time of the earthquake last
Wednesday Gen. Greely was on his way to
this city to attend the wedding of his
daughter. He first heard of the disaster
when he reached Chicago and abandoned
his trip to this city, taking the first avail
able train back to his post.
The Pacific Division comprises the De-
partment of California, commanded by
Brig. Gen. Funston, at San Francisco, and
the Department of the Columbia, COM
manded by Brig Gen. Williams, at Van
couyer barracks. All the troops in both
departments are subject to the orders OF
Gen. Greely, division commander.
First Advices From Greedy.
The first telegram from Gen. Greely
and Is as follows
FORT MASON, Cal, April o, 1906.
ITO the Military Secretary.
Washington, D. c.:
Arrived on Overland Limited Sunday
night and resumed command this morning.
Have gone carefully over the situation
with Col Jocelyn last night and Gen Fun
ston this morning. Due very largely to
Funston's energy, judgment and tact, there
has been minimum of violence, even un-
and municipal authorities, together with
the large body of inhabitants have coop
Grated harmonously in almost every re-
spect. In fact the situation impresses me
as rejecting the greatest credit on the
courage and patience OF the afflicted people
of San Francisco. Gen. Funston will pur-
sue the line of active operations already
initiated.
1T has been decided after consultation
with him that he shall construct in suit
able places extensive and permanent camps
for the inhabitants, camps to be con-
structed by hired labor, with suitable san
itary methods installed under the super
vision of regular officers. This both af-
fords employment to many destitute and
tends to minimize the danger from insan-
itary conditions, which are aggravated by
scarcity of water. Probably twenty thou
sand are under army canvas and about
100000 people without house shelter. Hope
to give reliable data later today on this
point.
ment there will be held here for special and
temporary duty all officers reaching San
Francisco on leave or coming here with
supplies from other points. Scarcity of
officers has prevailed from the beginning
and those here have worked with such en-
engy and persistency as to threaten physi-
cal exhaustion. Owing to absence of de-
partment officers, especially military secre-
tary, chief quartermaster and chief COM
missary, the entire situation has so far
been handled by division headquarters and
its staff. The time has arrived to differen-
tiate the duties, and hereafter the division
headquarters will take charge itself with
questions of policy, the general movement
of troops and particularly the important
question of sanitation. The department
commander will confine himself to the ad-
mnistration duties covering the various
staff departments and the distribution of
relief supplies. The two headquarters are
together and everything will progress with
out delay or friction.
"(,an Funston haq of he trx
ing and exhausting character, which will
make the fullest demand on his energy and
strength. Additional troops with the divi-
sion appear to be necessary. This subject
will receive careful consideration today and
recommendations thereon be made tonight
"GREELY. Major General Commanding =
Conditions Much Better.
In later dispatch, also dated April %,
Gen. Greedy said:
Although rain entailed discomfort last
night conditions are very much improved.
1t Is estimated that more than 25, 600 left
city during past twenty-four hours. About
7.OOO civilians under pass have entered San
Francisco during the past four days. Work
Ing parties are busy clearing roads. demol-
fshing dangerous walls and repairing water
maiTls. The street railway, which were op-
Grated temporarily Sunday, have suspended
operations pending further repairs. There
has been no suffering during past twenty
-FOUR hours for lack of water, food or tenn
porary shelter although much wet bedding
necessitates temporary discomfort The
citizens are rapidly erecting wooden bar
racks In Golden Gate Park. board of
officers has been carefully examining the
situation for such temporary camps as may
be further necessitated. Present indications
point. however, to largely decreased de-
mands the coming week owing to rapid re-
movai OF inhabitants to country and ad-
5acent towns. Many relief trains are ar
rfving daily; the facilities for feeding the
destitute have been greatly improved by the
arrival today of twenty-eight cars sent by
the chamber of commerce relief committee
Of Los Angeles. tEe outfit including its own
transportation, forage, ETC., and provided
with cooking arrangements capable of car
ing for 1900 persons. GREELY"
More Troops Wanted.
This morning a dispatch was received
from Gen Greedy, dated San Francisco
April %. as follows:
Have had consultation with Mayor
Schmitz. Gen. Funston and the chief of
police regarding necessities of the near fu-
ture. The mayor urges that the army take
charge of the large districts now guarded
by the state militia. Apart from other con-
sideraticn 1t Is evident that the state mill
tia cannot be expected to serve here any
considerable length of time. The mayor
informed me that he should ask the gov
ernor to remove all militia at once. / In
formed him that questions involving reia-
tions OF the municipal and state authorities
were beyond the province of the regular
army, but that everything would be done
as far as present regular force permit to
safeguard the interests of the city. 1t Is
evident however, that within week or
ten days the sttuation will develop not only
in San Francisco, but In adjacent cities to
such an extent as to absolutely demand
largely increased forces for the presenta-
ton OF public order and the conservation
of public interests.
while am advised that an additional
force OF 1900 men would not be excessive
yet, In my opinion the prospective needs
can be met by 26D0 additional troops to
come from outside OF this military division.
AS large a proportion of these troops as
possible should be cavalry, In view Of the
destruction of local transportation and the