The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-27

San Francisco, April 23.-The new
San Francisco that will rise from the
ashes of the old today was in it's first
stages of rebuilding. After five days
Of confusion and almost s%uperhuman
effort on the part Of citizens of Cal
ifornia's METROPOLIS. the great task Of
sheltering, feeding and otherwise car
ing for the homeless thousands COM
plete order has been established and
attention turned to the future.
Throughout the great business quar-
ter, where the devastation by fire was
the most complete, dangerous walls
were RACED. buildings that had not
been disintegrated by fire were IL
spected with a view of re-occupanCy
and ground cleared for the immediate
construction Of buildings in which to-
resume business at the earliest posi-
BILE time.
Confidence has been restored by the
assurance of insurance companies, the
measures taken by the financial insti-
tons . the prompt and re-assurIng
words that have reached the business
men of San Francisco from financial
pearedetaOin shrdleutao
centers, all these things have dispelled
the feeling of uncertainty. The gen.
orally encouraging situation tempo
rarily suffered a set back early to-
day because of a chilling rain which
fell in the late hours of last night
and during the forenoon OF the thou
sands protected only by canvas cover
ings and even less impervious shelter
ings. While the rain caused consid-
erabia suffering for the time being,
conditions were quickly ameliorated
by the prompt action of every relief
committee as we'll as by the voluntary
acts of householders.
Homeless people were fed today in
a systematic manner. From the wa
ter front, where the boat loads of
provisions locked, there was an end
less procession of carts and drays car
rying food to the cores of sub-sta-
tons established throughout the city
and the parks. At these stations food
and drink, comprising bread, prerar-
ed meats and canned goods, milk and
a limited amount of hot coffee and
even fruit were served to all those
who applied. About 1900 tons Of pro-
visions are moved daily from the wa
ter front.
Large supplies of blankets, Jennings
and other material. to provide cover
ings for those who have been scanLly
supplied are reaching the supply sta
itions rapidly. Barracks have been
completed al several points and in
these many people have found comfort
and shelter against the inclemencies
of the weather. The situation in the
congested camps, such as Golden Gate
park, and the various public squares
throughout the city, has been consid-
erably relieved by the departure OF
many people for points on the other
side of the bay.
While the number Of people leaving
the city is nothing like the vast crowds
that packed the ferry boats during the
first two days following the earth
quake, the number was sufficiently
large to satisfy the relief committee
that it's task will become less difficult
from day to day.
General health conditions are salts
factory. While the number Of cases
at the various hospitals has increased
each day, sickness is mostly due TO
exposure and worry. The most en-
couraging feature is the absence OF
anything ike du cpiueuiiC VI us
ease of my nature whatever. Thy
somewhat unsatisfactory sanitary ar
rangements in the various camps, the
lack of a variety in diet, and the en-
posed situation of so many people nee
essarily develops ailments and in some
places there have been a few cases of
such diseases as measles and chicken
pox, but probably not more than would
develop under ordinary circumstances
in a large city. The primary causes
of disease are removed as fast as pos
Sible.
General A. W. Greeley took COM
mand of the federal troops at this
post, ~superseding General Frederick
Funston, who will act under Gree
ley's orders.