Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-30
LOOKING TO FUTURE
Gen. GreeIy Reports on San
Francisco Conditions.
RIGID ECONOMY NECESSARY
Strict Supervision and Careful Man
agement Required.
CHECKING WASTEFUL METHODS
Military Administration Considered
Indispensable to the Public We'll
fare for the Time Being.
RIGID ECONOMY NECESSARY
CHECKING WASTEFUL METHODS

1are Tor the lime Being.
Several kilograms were received at the
War Department from Maj. Gen Greely,
commanding, in regard to the condition Of
affairs at San Francisco. In one he said
Prospective demands from sufferers can
be met only by rigid economy, strict super
vision and careful enforcement. Order COW
ering this, fixing permanent relief ration
and forbidding issue OF luxuries except to
sick and feeble on doctors prescription
issued today taking effect Tuesday. Mill
tary supervision of stations largely nomi-
nal, awaiting officers for their proper con-
troll whenever system has full military ad-
minlstraton; rations will be refused male
adults with view to enforcing return to
work to which men show disinclination.
While influx of people and gradual resump-
ton of ordinary avocations are accom-
panied by slight infraction, yet order 1s
wonderfully maintained; drunkenness en-
tirely absent owing to restrictions on liquor
selling. Electrical railways here are
gradually renewing service to very
limited extent. Excellent health continues
unchanged, with absence of any prospec-
tive epidemic of contagious disease. Water
conditions improving; commercial supplies
are arriving Tdpiuly CV-opSihtioii oA AAeAN -
national guard and civil authorities con-
tinues most harmonious.
Military Administration Demanded.
In another telegram Gen. Greely said
previous kilograms from myself and Dr.
Devine special representative Red cross,
indicate clearly necessities for my COM
nlend exercising non-military duties con
nected with distribution of relief supplies,
whether purchased by army or presented
~ ri
day in San Francisco no efficient force LOT
such work other than the regular troops
The national guard, with its excellent mill
tary organization, good Will and unques-
toned energy, contains many members ma
rnssed by domestic Affections business loss
es and deprivation of means of livelihood,
is not in sufficient force. The munlclpal
police and fire department not only are
engrossed in their own special duties, large
ly increased In amount and responsibility
by existing conditions, but many are With
out clothing and shelter, and necessarily
devote part of their energies to caring Ior
wives and children. The devoted volun-
| teers from civil life whose heroic efforts
| business abilities and independent energy
| have with their organization and labors
| tided the destitute hundreds or thousands
! over starvation and disease, must hence
| forth give their entire efforts to rebuild
| ing the city and reorganizing business and
| Industries. The existing methods, devoid
| of supervision, which has been impossible
| in the past, involve enormous expenses,
| which cause marked apprehension 10
| financial phases on the part of DR.. Devine.
| Mayor SchnlitZ and the citizens COM
| mittee.
| Looking to the Future.
FRO mthe first my fears have been for
| the future condition, realizing fully the
| necessity of restrictions, supervision and
| elimination. The checking of wasteful
| methods, of constant spoliation, of sys-
tematic receptions. and extravagant meth
| DDS can and will be possible only through
| military administration. strictly subordi-
| nate at all times to civil authority and the
| Red Cross representative, upon whom de-
| mandS have been made by me to assume
| charge at the earliest possible moment, de-
| mands which they have promised in writing
| to accede to at the earliest possible date.
| These reasons have controlled my action,
| which the Red Cross, civil authorities and
| citizens committee insist on as indispen-
| sable to public welfare. In my opinion
earliest possible arrival OF forty-flve Of
| fcers will save both money and reputation
| at this crisis"
| Estimate for Troops Reduced.
In another telegram Gen Greely said:
| Since midnight whole question has been
most carefully and exhaustively considered
and from standpoints of economy, efficiency
and military precision. In order to reduce
| expenses request that troops sent here be
reduced to one regiment cavalry and one of
/ infantry, aggregating 1900 men. Services
| of 1900 other troops can be dispensed with
| provided that forty-flve selected officers
| and men OF administrative ability, sound
| Judgment and physical energy are sent here
| as framework of relief organization. They
| should consist of five field officers and forty
| captains and first lieutenants. Men without
| force, experience or tact would be worse
| than useless. Present situation and reasons
| for this modification follow fully in another
| telegram"
Action of Congress Explained.
Gen. Bell, chief of staff. sent the follow
| ine telegram to Gen. Greely at San Fran
cisco under Saturdays date:
| Reference to your message this date.
| Congress has appropriated s2,5oo,O00 for re-
| lief of sufferers from earthquake and con-
| Migration on Pacific coast In three separate
| resolutions which, briefly, authorize and
| direct the Secretary of War to procure IN
! open market or otherwise subsistence,
| quartermasters and medical supplies, IN
| addition 10 such supplies belonging to mill
| tary establishments as may be available.
| and to issue same to such destitute persons
as have been rendered homeless or in needy
| circumstances as result OF earthquake and
! attending confiagration.
In executing these resolutions the Secre-
| tary of War Is directed TO cooperate with
| authorities of the state of California and
| mayors of cities OF San Francisco, Berke-
ley Oakland. Alameda and such other
! cities on the Pacific coast as may have
| sustained damages. Resolutions authorize
| Treasury Navy and Commerce and Labor
| Departments to cooperate with the Secre-
| tary of War In extending relief and as
sistance. Resolutions further authorize the
| use of appropriation for purpose of replac-
! Ing by purchase such subsistence. quarter
! masters and medical supplies may have
been furnished by the Secretary of War
/ from stores ON hand for use OF army In
| giving such relief; also for purpose of de-
| fraSing all extra cost to War Department
| incurred in mileage, transportation OF
troops and all other expenditures which
| would not have been necessary out for re-
| lief measures authorized
Operations of the Army.
'In pursuance of these resolutions tent
age and blankets have been furnished by
quartermaster's department from all over
the country, and 100000 rations purchased
In Seattle. Portland and Los Angeles under