Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-03
SAVED FROM DISASTER
MUCH LEFT WITH WHICH TO Be
GIN A NEW. LIFE.

Mr.. William NJ. Bunker, Washington
representative OF the San Francisco Cham
Der OF Commerce. says that much was
saved from the earthquake and fire.
The fire that destroyed acres of office
and business buildings" he said to a Star
reporter yesterday. missed nearly all the
docks and wharves. left the steamship
lines In good shape. failed to disturb the
Pacific cable. scarcely affected steam rail-
way traffic. and missed the shipyards. ium-
Der yards and many factories. Having
measured the superficial damage, the de-
struction of buildings. etc, the damage. in
short. that could not alter the destiny of
the city, San Francisco saw in the future
the real and vital certainty that is more
potent than hope Ii the bank and safe
deposit vaults were unmpaired all was
well. These vaults were found sound Cool
In the time of trial and cheerful in ad-
versity, the people saney and safely
Drought order out of chaos and resumed
business The causes that conspIred to
create San Francisco are as many and
as strong as ever and are rapidly multi
plying. The steamships and sailing ships
that carry the commerce of the port and
the railways that terminate at San Fran
cisco move as much freight as ever and
Will shortly be taxed to the full extent
OF their carrying capacity. Another trans
continental railway company Is building
the city, and still another has bought a
terminal on San Francisco bay. All the
territory directly tributary to the city is
still directly tributary. Because OF the
interdependence of interest the old reia-
tons will endure.
Commerce Of San Francisco.
Since 1896 the area of the United States
has grown from 3o25,o to about 3.770,954
square miles. Save Porto Rico $500 square
rnilesl no nF mil
covers Alaska. the Hawaiian, Philippine
and Samoan islands and Guam. Alaska,
these islands and Australia, China and
japan are among the roots of San Fran
cisco that were neither burned nor broken.
The commerce of San Francisco has In
creased 40 per cent in the last twelve
months. The roots of this commerce are
intact. They reach to the remote corners
of the earth. The office facilities for
managing the commerce were suddenly i'm
paired. In a strictly commercial sense
simply this and nothing more. Hence the
serenity of San Franciscans. They know
selves. They know that the bulk of a
business is not fixed by the size of an
office.
Viewing the situation calmly and fairly.
and closely Analysing conditions, the In
veStigator finds that the financial strength
and business buoyancy of California almost
challenge belief What applies TO San
Francisco applies to the state. In August.
100, the 4ti DankS OF the state ndQ as
aggregate resources s515. 800 ,0S4 and as in
diyidual deposits s40o.512,074 San Fran
cisco had twelve savings and thfrty-four
commercial banks, and has them now. These
financial roots were neither burned. broken
nor bruised.
Future Will Surpass the Past.
''The losses of individuals will not affect
the future of the city. The power of prog
ress exists. The necessary financial and
transportation facilities are in evidence.
The currents of trade are flowing again
and the business that was done in big
buildings is done in small. The city
a city will gain materially by the fire.
It's old bulk was due to disorderly accretion.
The new San Francisco will unite beauty
and utility. New and broadened streets
will facilitate traffic lessen fire risks, adj
just business to transportation and health
fully stimulate city activities. The cohesive
strength of united community, the pur-
poseful determination Of a dauntless people,
the intelligence of men who not only can
and dare, but actually do, all these and
other forces are creating city that will
change the pity of the world into enduring
admiration.