Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-02
PLANS FOR A NEW CITY
San Francisco'S Leaders Now
Debating the Question.
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE
Secretary Metcalf to Present Propo-
sition
TO PRESIDENT AND CABINET
Contemplating the Government Guar
anteeing a Large Bond Issue
by the Municipality.

SAN FRA NCTSCO May 2.-Victor ii.
Metcalf, Secretary of Commerce and Labor
who is here as the personal representative
of the President will be requested TO lay
before President Roosevelt and the caoi-
net upon returning to Washington the plan
proposed by former Mayor James d. Phe-
Ian of having the government guarantee
large municipal bond issue by San Fran
cisco for the purpose OF rebuilding the
city. This action, It Is said. was un-
officially decided upon at conference held
last night at Fort Mason between the
finance committee, of which Mr.. Phelan Is
chairman. and the mayor. at which the
proposition for the rehabilitation of this
city as suggested by Mr.. Phelan was dis
cussed at considerable length.
1t is proposed that San Francisco shall
issue municipal bonds in the sum of 800
eco 600 to run a series of years, and the
payment of which is to be guaranteed by
the United States The money is to be
used in rebuilding the burned sections and
otherwise rehabilitating the city. In order
to issue such loan 1t Will be necessary to
amend the charter and have the legislature
remove any other obstacles that may be In
the way.
City Brilliant With Light.
The electric lighting system Is rapidly
being restored. and street lighting was
greatly extended last night Where only
Il few street lights pierced the darkness
Monday night arc lights illuminated the
streets last ngiht in almost every section
OF the unburned districts and for the first
time in two weeks the mint and the post
Office were brilliant with lights.
The mint was encircled with a string OF
inCandescent lamps which passed around
the outside of the building and made every
avDrD4cb a 6 light a 1aV. Electric light
service for residences Will be available and
resumed as soon as the mayor considers
there will he no further danger from fire.
Mayor SChmitg has announced that be-
ginning tonight res trictions will be removed
TO the hours in which candles may be
used in residences.
Next to electric lighting the street ear
system is making the most rapid progress
in restoring its lines. Last night gangs
Of men were working in the burned dis
tricts repairing the tracks and replacing
the twisted and warped rails by the light
OF torches, lanterns and locomotive head
lights.
Must Work or Quit the City.
Ali able-bodied men must go to work or
leave the city. This dlctum OF Chief OF
Police Dinan will be strictly enforced. The
relief work and distribution of food and
clothing are attracting a certain element
TO the city which does not desire to labor
while some already here prefer to live on
the generosity of others. Chief Dinan has
determined that those who apply for relief
and refuse to work when II is offered them
shall leave the city or be arrested for
vagrancy. The police judges have sug-
gested the establishing OF chain gang
and putting all vagrants and petty Of
tenders at work clearing up the ruins
Perhaps never in the history OF the city
has there been so little crime In San Fran
cisco. With the saloons closed. Chinatown,
the Barbary coast and other haunts of
criminals wiped out, and soldiers and
marines on almost every block In the resi-
dence districts, there have been few crimes
Of any .aEJ+d 1t is the opinion OF the police
that most OF the criminal element has left
the city. The saloons, in all probability.
will remain closed for two months yet.