The San Francisco call., 1906-06-19
GREELY WANTS To- WITHDRAW
REGULARS ON JULY |.

by the 5000 lately transferred would
in the past two months have become
centeTS of infectious diseases or the
centers of disorder and violence, which
has not been the case, as infectious dis
eases have been sporadic and the con-
ditions of order have been such that
as far as i know no murder has been
committed and only one or two as
saultS have been made.
1t appears to me that the time mas
arrived when some definite plan OF
organization should be formulated. AT
present no one connected with the Red
Cross has any power TO act, not even
DIR. DeVine, save as to certain eXpendi-
lures for rehabilitation, which in ilm-
tied amounts have been appropriated.
To illustrate a practical method of
handling this question, a definite line
of organization is herewith suggested.
1t is worse than useless to expect that
of people and sums OF money running
into the millions can be economically
and efficiently administered by men
giving such part of their time as re-
mess to the questions of relief. There
must be not only paid personnel, but
to obtain men of character, efnciency
and skill they must be well compen-
stated.
HANDLING OF FUNDS.
The finance committee should allow
no money to be spent except on eStl-
mates which should be submitted
be properly discussed by the finance
committee before paying the money.
Emergencies can be met by allowing
a small sum for eacn particular de-
partment for contingent expenses. 1t
is believed that the duties of the
finance committee should be connned
to questions Of policy and considering
of estimates and authorizing them
formally.
The executive work should be done
by three men, who should receive a sal
One member should be a special repre-
sentative of the Red Cross, and. as DR..
Devine would probably not remain
many months and his services are need
ed as an advisory To the finance COM
mittee. il is suggeeted that some one
be named by DR.. DeVine, if he viii not
serve himself. The second member
should be named by the Mayor of San
Francisco, and the third should be Sc
lected by the finance committee from
individuals familiar with the Industrial.
commercial and business interests OF
San Francisco. This committee should
divide the duties among themselves
Supplies should be centralized and
should be in charge of a carefully
This, official, should under no c1rcum-
stances have anything to do with the
purchase Of supplies, but only be re-
sponsible for their receipt, care and
POLICING OF CAMPS.
Each camp should be placed under
very carefully selected ofticers of the
Fire or Police department who are on
furlou gh,, preferably to be captains and
lieutenantS of the Fire Department AMI
ca plains. lieutenantS and SergeantS of
the Police. Department, and who should
be paid according to the size and import
ance OF the camp. The familiarity Of
these men with the people of San Fran
cisco and their habits of authority
should enable them to supervise theSe
camps which naturally would be under
general direction fha
three executive members of the COM
mittee.
The present surgeons should be re-
placed by doctors of executive ability
and standing, of which II is Understood
that there are man: without practice
There should be about one doctor to
each fG0 persons, and their pay should
be from $3.50 to $5 per aay,
At places where guards are neccs-
sary civilian watchmen, drawn largely
from furloughed policemen and fremen
and male school teachers, should be
placed in charge. 1t might be added
that wherever opportunity FOR WON n S
work offers it should be given to school
teachers of standing now on furiDugn.
All outlays for sanitation and polic-
ing of these camps should be atrthe
expense of the Red Cross. While thev
would be naturally subjected. TO IN
spection from time TO time by the
sanitary officers of the city, yet such
officers would ii is believed, not inter
fere unduly with the arrangements in
these camps. There should be special
police officers on duty at night at he
larger camps, these also to- he p,tid
employees. asrca -4et
PAID FORCE REQUIutso.
In short, an organized. welI-selected
and properly paid personnel is indis-
pensable to the successful handling Cf
the relief work
supplementary to the executive com
mittee there should be IN agent
charged with the rehabilitation work.
Dr Devine or his successor. The policy
regarding rehabilitation should be lib-
eral, and a very considerable sum
should be set aside therefor, subject to
distribution as DR.. Devine or his sue
cessor might direct. e.y
Briefly. this letter looks to action and
organization, which cannot progress
satisfactorily while the army is con-
work There are large sums of money
on hand, and the public naturally has a
right TO demand results. @
Valuable time is being lost as regards
questions of shelter and rehabilitation
through lack of suitable organization.
The committee will think, perhaps,
that l have expressed myself very
forcibly in this matter; but my great
interest in the adoption of the best and
speediest means of restoring normal
conditions in San Francisco and in the
relief of its destitute WILL l hope, be
viewed as excuses for my speaking
freely and fully and offering definite
advice relative to. the work in hand.
In view of the great Importance of
the interest the municipality has in this
work, l have furnished q copy of this
letter to his Honor Mayor E. E.
Schmitz.
May |. then, express the hope that
the finance committee will agree with
me that the army Will be withdrawn
on July II
may add that should the services of
say half dozen officers be needed in
the way of advice and aid during July
l should be glad to take steps looking
to the detail, provided the Secretary of
War approves, which / believe he will.
Very respectfully