New-York tribune., 1906-04-22
OAKLAND CITY OF REFUGE
Ouerfosc1ng scith Homeless Ones
Many y.HeQrtrending Scenes

oakland Cal. April 21.-Thousands OF home
less ones driven from the San Francisco water
front. which was almost swept away by fire
last night and early this morning sought refuge
in this city to-day. The survivors crossed the
bay In ferryboats. tugs and launches and were
met at the Oakland wharves by large relief
committees.
The seriously injured were at once sent to the
hastily improvised hospitals, and food was pro-
vided for hundreds, Rigid inspections were made
for contagious diseases and many persons were
placed in quarantine.
Along the principal streets Of Oakland there
WAS picturesque pilgrimage Of former house
holders. who dragged carried the mea gre
effects they had been able TO save The
vivors who could not he cared for in Oakland
made an exodus TO Berkeley and other surround
ing cities. where relief committees are actively
at work. Utter despair was pictured many
faces. which showed the effects Of sleepess days
and nights and the want Of proper food.
Despite the fact that nearly all the churches
skating pavilions and large halls Of the city
have been converted into temporary lodging
places. there will not be room enough tonight
to accommodate all The effort to maintain even
ordinary sanitation at these congested places is
serious task. and all the medical men Of the
city are engaged IN taking immediate charge Of
the refugees who become i'll.
employment bureaus have been hastily es-
tablished and ablebodied men who willing
&c work railroads and other large con-
struetion schemes in various parts of Califor-
MIA and Nevada are furnished with free trans
portation. 1t is believed that many men will
be provided with work within the next few
days. and that the present congestion will not
last
Many residents Of Eastern states are attempt
Hor 10 heir Frse bi,f IL iS al
most impossible to get a message sent without
a twenty-four hour wait. The telegraph offices
more than day behind with messages. sc
persons who have relatives and friends here
should not worry If they get word for several
days. The Chamber of Commerce, churches
newspaper offices and relief headquarters have
provided registers for the refugees and are aid
ing in the work of finding friends and relatives
for distracted survivors
The scenes at these places are in many in
stances heartrending. though for the
part the refugees are taking their losses and
their sorrows with grim fortitude. In many
cases the women are unable 10 bear up.
The crowds that are arriving for the most
part represent San Franciscos cosmopolitan
side. Cinnamon, Italians. japanese and ne
groes are mingled together in common misfor-
tune with business men and once well 10 do
householders guests from hotels and Eastern
tourists. All carry what baggage they can
lug. Some drag bedding behind them.
The transportation committee of the genera
relief committee arranged for the free deporta-
tion by way OF the Southern Pacific and Santa
Re railroads OF than a thousand persons
yesterday. IN responding 20 the desire Of the
relief committee 10 relieve the congestion here
the Santa Fe has volunteered 10 carry free. on
the recommendation OF the relief committee, all
worthy destitute persons 70 any place in Cali
fornia the Southern Pacific carrying them free
10 the limits of its system 10 Portland on the
north and FL Paso the south.
This service. well the provisions and
housing service. continues day and night, and
the trains OF the Southern Pacific and the
key systems run continuously. there is a steady
stream OF refugees pouring into the relief head
quarters in the rooms in the Chamber of Com
merce