Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-16
SAYS CONGRESS
SHOULD ACT NOW
SAN FRANCISCO PEOPLE NEED
MONEY AT ONCE
Senator Newlands Declares II Would
Not Be Establishing a Precedent
to Assist Stricken
city
BY Associated press.

SAN FRANCISCO, June Ex-senator
Newlands of Nevada left for Reno to-
day after completing plans for the re-
building of the Palace hotel on aymore
handsome scale than that of the old
structure. Before leaving Senator New
lands said
II am surprised that congress should
hesitate to relieve in some businesslike
way the homeless of San Francisco.
When cholera attacked the people and
rinderpest the draft animals of the
Philippine islands congress did not hes
itate to appropriate $3,000,000, which
was used by the Philippine commission
in loans to Filipino farmers for the
purchase Of draft animals and agricul-
tural implements.
"Congress did not hesitate to give
$4,000, 600 to Cuba under similar condi-
tions. Later on 1t subsidized the sugar
industry Of Cuba by the reduction of
duties to the extent of nearly $4,000, 900
per annum.
"a similar measure has passed the
house in aid of the Philippines. Duties
collected at San Francisco on Philip
pine products are now turned over to
the Philippine people for the expenses
of government.
Repeatedly, in aid of the merchant
marine, subsidies have been granted
and at the last session a bill passed
the senate substituting the merchant
marine to the extent of about $4,000, 900
annually.
President Always Active
1.-The president has been potential in
most of these affairs, through vigorous
messages forcing these subjects on the
attention Of congress.
1.-The nation also guaranteed the
bonds of the Pacific railroads to this
extent of hundreds of millions of dol
lars. The nation became a stockholder
in the st. Louis exposition to the ex-
tent of $5,000000, and subsequently,,
when the exposition was in trouble,
loaned it $5,000000 upon the security of
the gate receipts.
Part of these things were done in
aid of interstate and foreign commerce;
others In aid of humanity. 1t is idle,
then. to talk of this case establishing
a precedent. On the contrary, congress
Is apparently refusing to follow the
precedents already established.
San Francisco is a national port of
the greatest Importance, both to inter-
state and foreign commerce. is a
businesslike thing for the nation to aid
in its restoration. over 100000 people
are without homes and are either in
temporary shelter in San Francisco or
crowded in neighboring towns.
People Need Houses Now
The businesslike thing is to immedi-
ately house these people and the occu-
pations which they represent, in tenn
porary structures of wood or corrugated
iron, leaving the slow process of per-
manent construction to take its course
through ordinary financial agencies.
"The commercial banks OF San Fran
cisco are in good condition but as they
are responsible to their depositorS on
call, they must keep their money in
quick assets, not in real estate securi-
ties. The savings banks of San Fran
cisco are also in good condition but
their moneys are loaned out in the
burned district and they are not under
taking new business.
AT least twenty million dollars is
Immediately needed for the temporary
rehabilitation of San Francisco. If
available now it will be of more service
than one hundred millions year hence.
The money must come from the out
side. The insurance companies are
moving slowly. Many are delaying in
order to force heavy discounts; others
have difficulty in securing funds and
are fighting for time. Prompt action
by congress in some line Of aid which
will supply work instead Of charity is
necessary.
Charter Limits Municipality
"The municipality Is limited by it's
charter to borrowing for municipal
purposes, subject to ratification by a
popular vote. The state has also suf-
fered largely through the paralysis of
San Francisco, whcih is it's very heart
Constitutional limitations restrain it's
power to act in this emergency. The
nation can quickly act.
"The catastrophe is a national catas-
trophe and is not purely local. Popular
sentiment will justify aid. The charity
has been well done. The business
should be as well done. A rate loan of
$10,0O0,OOO to the relief society would be
repaid, would be used in businesslike
way and would be of incalculable ad-
vantage.
Il believe that if the president will
take up this question with one of his
vigorous messages it will force action
by congress. The difficulty of the task
did not prevent the president from
recommending aid to the Cubans or to
the Philippines or the subsidy to the
merchant marine, or the various re-
forms which he has so successfully in
augurated. l trust that he viii take
the initiative and put the responsibility
Ii.