The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-18
WORLDS RECORD'
IN 5000 DEEDS
BY RAILROAD CD.

On the occasion OF the great San
Francisco disaster the entire resources
of the Southern Pacific Railroad COM
pany were employed to their utmost In
saving and relieving the people. They
were the ffrst TO order by wire, from
edjacent cities, car loads OF food sup
plies for free distribution. They threw
wide open their gates. and passengers
were carried free on their ferry steam
ers. which never stopped running from
San Francisco 10 Oakland Pier. They
ran steamers around the water front
picking up all refugees congregated on
the wharves for safety.
From Oakland Pier the people were
carried free 10 whatever point they
could care for themselves or be cared
for--whether II was Berkeley. Cal or
Boston, Mass; Portland. Ore. or Port
land, Maine. Within ten days the
Southern Pacific company carried free
224, 900 passengers. The value OF which
computed at lowest rates for the class
Of service rendered amounted TO $780,
oSS6s. and this covers only the earnings
OF the lines west OF FL Paso.
Canvass OF accommodations In the
interior OF the state was made that
refugees might be properly directed.
Canvass OF avenues OF employment was
made by wiring large Industries that
employment might be provided. In
formation bureaus were established at
nine points in the burned district OF
San Francisco. which were served by
horseback riders and automobiles.
Messengers carrying bulletins rela-
tive to train service. relief work. in
formation about finding people and
general public information. including
statements OF accommodations for, re-
lief at outside cities. Inquiries from
eastern cities by the thousands from
"A friande ri mis-
Pile were answered as far as possible,
the officers using all the avenues at
their command.
Transportation for relief committees.
hospital corps, physicians and nurses
was arranged for on a large scale be-
tween adjacent cities and San Fran
cisco. The state health board was
given transportation for It's employees in
the sanitary service transportation OF
relief supplies were given precedence
over all other trains and nearly all
were run on passenger train time. Milk,
bread etc, which were badly needed,
we're brought in free In baggage cars.
Gasoline for automobiles early be-
came exhausted and large number OF
machines in the service OF emergency
hospitals, physicians, military and civil
authorities and relief committees were
tied up. The Southern Pacific com
pany furnished for these machines
every OF gasoline in its stores. In ad-
0ition Il wired TO nearby cities for all
automobile party which were likely TO
be needed in an emergency. These
were supplied free 10 anyone engaged
in emergency and relief work.
The transportation OF relief supplies
from April IS 10 May 23 computed at
lowest tariff rates over the Southern
Pacific Railroad company, Union Pacific
Railroad company, Oregon Short Line
railroad. and the Oregon Railroad and
Navigation company. amounted to
S44b, 10000, representing 1903 full car
loads, In addition TO q great many less
than carload shipments. This does not
include business handled by the express
companies, OF which there were quite
good many cars on which the railroad
company received no compensation.
Much more than this has beer done
by the Southern Pacific company since
dates named so that their entire con-
tribution runs way beyond sl,OO0oO0.
Before accurate or adequate informa-
ton could be gotten by the San Fran
cisco Office to President Harriman he
was rushing by special train TO the
scene of disaster. For several weeks
he maintained headquarters In his car
at Oakland Pier. surrounded by the
operating and traffic officers OF the
road. He was in close and constant
personal touch with the civil and mill
tary authorities, relief committees, etc,
attended several committee meetings
daily, and took a prominent and help
ful part In every movement for the
rehabilitation OF San Francisco.
There was nothing that the COM
pany's officers could think Of that
would prove helpful that they did not
do Neither men or means were spared
to accomplish tie company's object to
core for the rtOple.
White all this WAS done under the
mos. tr, ing circumstances and difheult
condiIIcns 10 thu credit OF the south
ern Pacific company's operating depart
ment be Il said, that IL was donc with
out one accident and without Injury ~
life or limb OF a single passenger. The
New York Sun has truly said the
Southern Pacific company made a
worlds record"