The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-04-28
Rouqh Estimate of Losses Suffered on
Account of Earthquake
and Fire.
Insurance Will Amount to Over Half
that Sum-P1enty Of Provi-
sions Now.

San Francisco, April 23.-Had it
not been for the sight of the rude al
tars set up in the open air wherever
San Francisco's homeless thousands
were camped, one would have had
some dicffiulty in finding any of the
peaceful associations of the Sabbath
in this city yesterday. Everywhere
throughout the burned, as we'll as the
remaining section Of the city. there
was the greatest activity. Streets we're
being cleared of debris, laborers were
repairing broken water pipes, sewers
and gas mains, electricians we're every
where seeking to untangle the almost
hopeless confusion of wires-in fact
San Francisco was in the first stages
of it's regeneration.
Famine Specter Banished.
There are now no hungry people
here; the gaunt specter Of starvation
has been banished by the magnificent
response of the people in California
in particular and by the entire nation
in general to the appeals that went out
for assistance. Food by the carload
and boatload poured into Oakland Sat-
urday and Saturday night and today
in sufficient quantities to overwhelm
the committee which has in charge
its distribution. So great was the
volume Of foodstuffs brought into the
general depot at Oakland that the
general committee made general ap-
peal for skilled laborers in the hand
lin of these supplies. Grocers, butch
ers and commission men have been
requested to secure men who are ia
miliar with the handling of foodstuffs
in order that the distribution at the
scores of stations might go on with
out confusion.
The homeless people are no longer
obliged to subsist upon bread and cam
ned stuff entirely, as they have been
during the previaous days Of their try
ing experience, but we're given hot
coffee, canned meats and even cakes
and oranges. Oranges have come in
in plentiful supply from Southern CAL
ifornia and the sight Of CALIFORNIA;
famous product was everywhere hailed
with words of delight.
Not Surfeit Of Food.
| It must not be understood by the
charitable people Of the country that
there is surfeit of food for the suf-
ferers. While the supply is abundant
at this writing, it is we'll for the pub
Ilic to remember that the homeless
thousands must be fed and cared for
by the organized relief committees for
an indefinite period. It is desired,
therefore, that contributions be con-
tinued everywhere until the people
who have been rendered helpless and
destitute by the city's misfortunes can
care for themselves.
The water situation, while causing
Inconvenience to the people, is nc
longer such q problem. About two
thirds Of the remaining section of the
city is being supplied with sufficient
water for the pressing domestic needs,
but of course there is not enough to
be had for -fre-fghting purposes. Be-
Gauss Of this fact, the most stringent
orders have been issued by the mill.
tary and civil police that no fires shall
be built within any house, and nc
lights, not even candle light, can
be shown at night in the houses. All
cooking for the present must be done
on the sidewalks or in the open streets
and in the daylight.
One noteworthy features of the
situation is the remarkable prompt.
ness with which the work of system
taically caring for the homeless has
been thoroughly organized and put
into operation. The fear that existed
two days ago that the immense task Of
caring for the destitute and helpless
people could not be organized quick
enough to save thousands from hun.
ger and possible epidemic exists nc
longer.
Administration Il Harmonious.
i The administration Of the city'i
!; affairs is progressing most harmoni
ously. Mayor Schmitz and Gen. Funs
ton are working in perfect accord.
Contributions Of money continue tx
be made from every part Of the United
States. The finance committee is to
|, day considering some plan for tho use
! of the large sum Of money Yhich viii
; soon be available for the relief d
the sufferers.
The total number Of bodies recov
; Iered and buried up to Sunday night il
500. No complete record can be had
ct this time, - nany Of the bodies
: have been buried without permits
from the coroner and the board 81
health. Il b impossible at the pres.
, emit time 10 obtain any sort Of daath
! list or even to make reliable Ell.