Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-05-05
SAN FRANCISCO
NEEDS MONEY
VIII Ask Congress to Endorse Bonds
to Rebuild City.
MUST FEED PEOPLE. FOR WEEKS

~ OOl EEU fEOFLE- EUh w EEhS
San Francisco. May 1.-Reconstruc-
ton Of San Francisco is on in earnest
As result many destitute men re-
sumed work. The army ration plan
was begun in the feeding of the desti-
tute. The relief committee is uncertain
how soon free supplies may fail. and
plans are under consideration TO pre-
vent a famine
Signs of a renewal of industrial &C
tivity were apparent IN many parts
OF the burned area, and the work OF
clearing away debris preparatory TO
rebuilding was In progress in a score
OF places. II was said that plans for
more than 80 large buildings have
been drawn and will be submitted 10
the authorities as soon as the new
building laws are promulgated.
The mayor advised the board OF su-
pervisors that he would appoint a
committee consisting OF engineers.
architects. builders and lawyers TO
prepare plans for laying out streets
and boulevards and reconstructing
San Francisco.
At a meeting of James ID. Phelan.
chairman OF the finance committee.
and some prominent lawyers and bank
ers. a plan was preached for financing
the city. which IL is hoped will meet
with the endorsement OF the general
committee. AS IL Is estimated that the
city has suffered a loss Of $500. 00O. 900
by fire IL is said that there is not sufii.
Cient money In san Francisco 10 re
construct the city. and that the people
must look elsewhere FOR funds 10 re-
habilitate their destroyed fortunes.
Mr.. Phelan said that Il the money
were borrowed through ordinary chan.
nels the rate OF interest would add a
burden that could not be borne under
the conditions The plan OF Mr.. Phe-
Ian is TO frame legislation TO present
60 congress. asking the United States
to endorse the proposed bonds Of San
Francisco. With this guarantee Of the
government the city would be able
Go go into the financial markets OF the
world and borrow the needed money
at a low rate OF interest on bonds &c
run for so years and secured by a mort
gage on the best portion of the city.
The number OF people without sub
stantial shelter has been reduced 20 a
minimum. The housing committee re-
ported that applications for accommo-
dations have ceased. The work OF this
committee has been lessened by de-
partures OF many people 10 other parts
OF the state.
With no immediate prospect that
conditions will be so normalized that
the community will be able 10 feed and
take care OF itself for several weeks.
the citizens committee began e
evolve some way 20 provide against
approaching failure of supplies.
Mayor Schmitz informed the general
committee that 700 car loads OF food
and supplies had been distributed
since April IS. and transportation
lines had information OF only los cars
now on the way.
II said the mayor. this informa.
ton is correct. we will soon be worse
on than we were a week ago. II the
Information has gone abroad through
the country that we are amply sup.
piled. IL is more than unfortunate, for
we are not II is not even known how
which TO purchase supplies, for you
have heard from Mr.. Phelan on sew.
eral occasions that part at least OF this
money subscribed by individuals or
companies in the east is disbursed
through private agents here. While il
Is true that contributions of money
will be very much more 20 the pur.
pose than contributions of supplies. il
should be known TO the world II the
one is not available the other will be
most gratefully received"
James d. Phelan. chairman of the
finance committee, received a telegram
from Secretary of War Taft notifying
him that only $7sO.O00 remained out
OF the $4,000 600 appropriated by con.
gress. and that this sum would be ex.
pended for supplies, etc. The telegram
was read at the session of the finance
committee and filed without discus.
sion
Among the ruins of the once great
business houses temporary structures
are arising in mushroom fashion and
the rivulets Of commerce are beginning
to move with increasing volume into
broader channels. Scores of little
wooden buildings can be seen in pro-
cess OF erection on all sides. and from
the southern water front innumerable
teams are hauling lumber for the tenn
porary homes OF merchants and re-
taiieTs.
Lawyer Must Serve Five Years.
Washington Nav 9 Thomas M