Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-09
THE ALTERNATE IN FRISCO.
Some Changes Effected, some Ms
cOverieA Made.

Some Changes Effected, some Dis
cOverieA Made.
The Oakland Tribune, which has kept
close watch on events in the stricken city
across the bay, notes a revolution In popu-
lar sentiment toward F. II. Hartman and
the corporation over whose affairs he pre-
sides He has suddenly become one Of
the most popular men in San Francisco"
says the Tribune. He FASTENED to the
scene Of devastation as soon as the news
OF the disaster reached the east and there
is no man in the city who is taking a more
active interest in its regeneration now.
He is credited with saying that II congress
declines to guarantee a bonded indebted
ness for the rebuilding of the city, he will
personally enlist 800. in the east at
a low rate Of interest for the purpose. He
has cleared the tracks of his railroads TO
give the right-of-way to relief trains. which
are speeding from all directions with sup
plies for the destitute and homeless in San
Francisco. The provision which he has
made for the removal Of the debris from
the burned district free of expense has
simplined the work of the city's restora-
ton. He is member of the municipal
committee Of forty and has been elected
Its vice president Hartman and his COM
panies have thus suddenly become popular
In community where they were, before the
earthquake and fire, losing caste.
The cable system of street railways,
which originated and had its greatest de-
velopment in San Francisco, is to be dis
continued. An oficer Of the merged street
railway companies says: Under no cir
cumstances, after our experience with slots
during the recent earthquake, would we
think Of installing any conduit systems in
San Francisco. The damage done to the
cable roads makes II clear to my mind
that it would be foolish to install any
conduit systems. 1t will take a year to
repair the damage done to the cable roads,
II they are to be repaired and operated
as cable roads. Conduit systems would
have been in a similar predicament had
there been any I'M San Francisco during
the recent calamity. Wherever we have
had trolley lines however. we have found
it possible to resume operations the in
slant the roadbed could be cleared of de-
bris. This has been one big object lesson
in support Of my previous contentious re-
garding the comparative efficiency of over
head and underground electric systems"
Miriam Nicholson, author of I'm the
Bishops Carriage" contributes to the cur
rent Harper's Weekly a remarkably dra-
matte and Illuminating account of the de-
struction OF San Francisco. One Of the
most striking passages in her article is
| that in which she describes the pathetic
and unforgettable sight presented by the
procession of refugees who were forced
from their homes by the resistless advance
I OF the flames.
IAN through that long snight Of un-
.NgIN ~.
the fleeing footsteps II was a horrible
sound. that continuous hurried, Struggling
exodus. The stricken people did not run
they were too exhausted by the time they
had reached our quarter--but they toiIed
doggedly on. on out toward the west to-
ward the cool eucalyptus forests in the
Preside. out toward the edge of the BAY
One man / saw carried with care a brand
new pair OF tan shoes. He had absolutely
nothing else but these he bore on a stick
over his shoulder Women carried their
babies. their canary birds In cages. their
parrots. Next to a man who trundled all
his household possessions on a lawn mower
rode group OF negresses in a CHASTITY
hearse, pulled by stalwart negroes.
chattering crowd Of cinnamon carried pa
thetic little punches OF rice, their brightly
clad little wives and babies dragging mis-
| eraDly on behlnd. A man and his wife har-
messed themselves with ropes to a trunk
and with bowed backs and blistered feet
went on II was fearful procession. Ana
what did they go to? A sleepless, earth
racked night in the open, with mothers
seeking their children. with aged parents
separated from their families A man II
knew wandered through the Preside five
hours that night. calling his wife's name
There was no light. there was nothing TO
distinguish one huddled mass OF refugees
| from another. My friend called and called
till he was hoarse When he dragged him
self back to town Thursday he had tho
search to begin over again"
] large proportion. II not a majority. If
the business men who were thanking their
lucky stars during the big CONFEDERATION