Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-26
HAVE
UNLIMITED FAITH In
COAST METROPOLIS
MILLIONAIRES ASSURE COOPERATION
AS the Burning Embers Cease to Smoder Fifty
Thousand Men Will Stand Ready to Take
Up Work of Restoring the Fallen
City to Former Greatness

ueSudy InOrIllllS week ago. anu tne
light-hearted spirit which has always
characterized her people has for the
time being given place to the stern
task of restoring her position among
the cities of America.
The mayor today took a firm stand
against the many self-constituted 'citl-
zens' protective committees" organized
in many sections of the city by bodies
of men who undertook to regulate the
affairs of their neighbors.
So many sensational complaints have
been made against these committees
that some action was considered imper-
ative to protect citizens, press repre-
sentatives and even those who were
acting in some capacity to preserve the
peace and good order of the city.
Responsible citizens have been
stopped at night and subjected to hu-
initiating explanations of why they
were abroad after dark. and even shots
have been fired at persons who had
perfect right to go where they pleased
at any hour.
1t was one of these so-called "vigi-
lance committees" that is to be held
responsible for the death of Major Til
den, who was shot while performing re-
lief work.
The mayor today gave instructions
tees were to be disarmed wherever
found by the city police and if any re-
sistance was offered were to be treated
as looters, which means that they, are
to be shot without ceremony.
Water Problem Serious
The water problem is still a serious
one. 1t was decided that still further
restrictions should be placed upon the
use of the water now available. Here
after and until the system has been
inspected and repaired there is to be
but one water tap" for each block
throughout the city.
This was considered necessary be-
cause of the wanton waste of water by
many people and to conserve the pres
ent supply against a possible emer-
gency-
There will be sufficient, however, for
the domestic needs of the population.
The state militia has not been with
drawn, notwithstanding the requests
from the mayor and from the citizens
executive committee of fifty.
Governor Pardee has not yet met in
conference with the executive commits
tee nor with the heads of the military
and civil authorities at Fort Mason.
Explains Absence
He has sent word in explanation of
he has been advised too late to reach
the meetings.
1t is not known what he will do with
regard to the state militia, but it may
be said that the citizens of San Fran
cisco would experience feeling of re-
lief if they were removed Immediately.
1t appears that as rule, the members
of the state militia have had COM
plete misrepresentation of the conditions
which have prevailed in San Francisco
during the past week.
They have acted as if martial law
were in force and that it was their duty
to regulate the affairs of the city ac-
cording to their individual conception
of that law. Since they have been
confined to a limited district. however,
and the conditions explained to them,
there has been less complaint from
citizens.
Praise the Army
There is nothing but praise for the
work of the army, the navy and the
municipal police. They have acted
with reason at all times.
Marines are being used in large
section of the city for patrol duty and
have maintained the best order with
out one instance of conflict with any
body.
A division of the municipal police
under Mayor Schmitz and Chief Dinan
has been excellent and many are the
heroic actions that could be told of the
work of these men during the past
week.
Mayor Schmitz has worked day and
night to alleviate the condition of the
people and has directed affairs with
remarkable success.
At no time has he lost control of the
situation and has kept in touch with
every department military and naval,
and maintained harmony when friction
might have occurred under less COM
petent direction.
Even Medical Men Surprised
The lack of anything like an epidemic
of disease since the disaster that over
took San Francisco has surprised even
the medical men, everywhere sanitary
conditions being most satisfactory.
Probably there has been less sickness
at the Presdio camp than any of the
others, and this may be attributed to
the fact that the people have been
sheltered, fed and directed by the army
officers.
The presidents proclamation issued
today has had a cheering effect. The
local finance committee and the Red
Cross are acting together and the work
of relief is being conducted in syste-
matte manner. A force of expert ac-
countants has been engaged on audit
ing and supervising the committees
appointed, and every dollar contributed
will be accounted for.
The San Francisco labor council. on
behalf of its log affiliated unions, has
announced that wages will remain the,
same as before the fire