The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-28
. - - - = - 0-8s- = F|7'|7~F' :"
MEFCALF MAKES REPORT.
CABINET OFFJCER TELLS THE
PRESIDENT or THE RUN.
Secretary Of Commerce and Labor Reviews
the Entire Situation and Sends an En-
%couraBinE Opinion Various steps In
The Relief Work Described in Detail.

~ NfF''
from Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Metcalf. who was sent to San Francisco
a. the personal representative Of the Presi-
dent 'vas given out at the White House
to-,
foHl MASON. San Francisco, April 70. 1909.
To the Prtsidcni. WHIT House, WdshmG'on,
n. 4
DEAR SIR: Have practically completed in
spection of the ruined districts, | do not be-
lieve the loss of life viii be as great as was
anticipated,
In my Judgment it will be impossible to de-
termine I'll Q sxact number of deaths. but con-
servative estimates place the number Mt NOT
TO exceed 400. There are about 900 sufferers
in local hospitals. and probably not over +oo
are seriously injured. No necessity exists AT
the present time for nurses or doctors. and
they should not be sent except on recommends
dation Of Gen. Greedy or lr. Devine,
As regards industrial and commercial
losses. the conditions are appalling. Figures
and distances convey slight conception ol
realities. Not only have the business and in
dustrial houses and establishments OF one
half million people disappeared, leaving them
destitute financially and their means OF ltveli-
hood temporarily gone. hut tho complicated
system Of transportation. Indispensable 10
the daily comfort and interests OF me nan
million Of people, has been almost totally de-
RtrOIpd, me nlllN tollIElTuIl'I w VOL
Francisco made movements by street runway
almost ind isprnsable.
Over the City's area of ~ entr-0ye square
miles the entire system of railways was dam
aged or destroyed and has not as yet been
operated. The scsnty supply of animals and
ges remaining after the fire has been
largely impressed into civil and military
service in order TO prevent starvation. lhH
entire telcsraphic and telephonic systems
we're destroyed. making communicates i'm
possible,
Practically every municipal building * do
stroyed, forcing the city officials into ~carty
quarters, necessarily situated IN localities
dih1cult of access. owing to distances ana
lack Of TRANSFORMATION. Three hundred thou
sand people were rendered homeless and their
ordinary methods for providing themselves
with food and clothing and shelter being on
tirely destroyed their feeding and sheltoring
demanded extraordinary action and en-
crossed the attention Of every one a soon as
the ravages of fire were checked.
Remedial methods. ado tied and prose
@ ted with great efficiency, have relieved
this unprecedented disaster. The citizens
committed. appoint cd by Mayor Schmit".
ls composed ri the ahlest b, siUess men .oi
the CITY. and their efforts. united and hnr-
moniols to an astonishing degree. speedily
brought order out Of chaos and introduced
systems Of relief which have accomplished
wonders. ne pUOTlS OF ttN NlIEpl dll'
municipal officers, of the citizens committee
and Of the regular army and of TIA" state
Guard OF California have been practically
a, efficient as though the separate authori-
ties were under one head, Neither friction
nor reflection has at any time appeared.
and the work Of relief has proceeded har-
moniousl continuously aud efflrlrntly.
The street railway system is IN p'dIy APP
preaching such n state of repair as 10 prom
ise partial renewal Of operation very soon.
The sig nal corps has established a military
system Of telegraphic and telephone lines
connecting the headquarters of the army
and of the Mayor. which are at Fort Mason,
with the Mint. Hall of Justice, district head
quarters. the ferry and every point Of special
importance. Without this system comRuni-
cation about the city would have heen I'M
possible. and with the national and State au-
thoritics would have been greatly delayed
Gen. Greedy, returning from leave. re-
snmed command Sunday evening, and com
mends in the highest terms the efficient and
tireless effort o! Gen. Funston, whose orders
and action inspired the army TO most efficient
action in staying the progress Of the flames
and saving the remnant OF the city Gen.
Greely's opinion is concurred in by the Mayor
and the citizens committee.
Most threatenin conditions existed IA
regards the water surply. but extraordinary
efforts on the part Of the water company have
rcUneule1 lIe slludllpH' nHNi 10 WV
from day to day. so that physical s'.ncrinG
from lack OF water is impossible, although
il cannot be delivered in sufficient Quantities
for proper sanitation. ! am ASSURED by Gen.
Greedy and others that the methods Of relief
and restoration were so efficient that no per-
son has suffered from lack of food, water or
shelter.
The question OF sanitation ia receiving
special attention. The entire city is inspected
daily by four trained mounted officers, who
report regularly the situation and neces-
stiles. The fortiications are practically
uninJured. Considerable damage was done
10 the military buildings at the Preside
and on Angel Island. Reports indicate that
there was no damage to the buildings on
Alcatraz Island.
The army warehouses in the city were
entirely destroyed. The Mint and Appraisers
buildings are practically intact. The sub
Treasury is entirely destroyed. Opinions
differ as to the extent Of injuries 10 the POST
Office. II Is not believed that any vaults
In the Sub-Treasury or any banking instttu-
ton in the city have suffered any material
damage.
IL is imposs BILE to give an accurate csti-
mate of the cost of repairs TO public buildings.
but from personal inspection OF the building
and from figures given me by competent
builders | should say that the Appraisers
building would cost for repairs about $1,000;
MINT, Sl0,UuO, anu tue IoSb NV 'u''i'ht
not TO exceed $500, 900, DR.. Devine arrived
Tuesday and cooperative action IL alrca dy
initiated. ~insuring harRlony between the
citizens committee, the Red Gross agents
and the military authorities as 10 the line OF
action to be followed in the future.
Gen. Greedy has agreed in writing to take
over. as asked by the Mayor, the citizens
! committee and DR. Devine, the responsibility
OF handling the relief supplies and the de-
livery, under suitable regulations to the
! needy and destitute. 1t is reported 10 me
that no discrimination Of any kind has been
shown against any one on account of race or
| color. The spirit is TO assist the suffering
whoever they may be. Cases of violence and
crime have been exceedingly rare.
The health OF the city is remarkably good
everything considered. Stories regarding
pestilence and epidemics are destitute OF
foundation. Every care is being taken TO
prevent epidemics or extended sickness in
the future, especially by providing against
contamination of water supply and for the
proper disposal of refuse of all kinds.
Al the meeting Of the citizens committee
this morning, at which were present Gov.
Pardee, Mayor Schmitz. Or. Devine. Gems.
Greedy and Funston and other officers Of the
army. IL was determined 10 move the Chinese
TO the military reservation at the Presidio.
nrbara ,he,- will he under the direction and