The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-28

the daily comfort and interests of one half million of people has been almost 1 totally destroyed. The hilly conhguration of San Francisco made movements by 1 street railways almost indispensable. Over l the citys area of twenty-five square miles the entire system of railways was damaged or destroyed, and has not as yet 1 been operated. The seanty supply of anil mals and carriages remaining after the fire has been largely impressed into civil and military service. in order to prevent starvation. The entire telegraphic and telephonc system were destroyed, mak- 1 ing communication impossible.
 Municipal Buildings All Destroyed
 Practically every municipal building is 1 destroyed, forcing the city officials into seanty quarters, necessarily situated In l localities difficult of access The citizens committee. appointed by Mayor Schmitz l is composed of the ablest business men | of the city and their efforts united and l harmonious to an astonishing degree 1 speedily brought order out of chaos, and l Introduced systems of relief which have l accomplished wonders. The efforts of the payor and municipal officials of the eiti- l zens' con mittee and of the regular army, l and of the state guard of California, have l been practically as efficient as though the l separate authorities were under one head. "NeiLher friction or reflections have at any time appeared, and the work of relief | has proceeded tremendously, continuously and efficiently.
 "The street railway system is rapidly approaching such state of repairs as to promise partial renewal of operation very | soon
 "1he signal corps has established mil- l itary system of telegraph and telephone lines, connecting the headquarters of the l of ba Fort Mason with the mint, hall of fFjustice, l district headquarters, the ferry and every point of special importance Without this system, communication about the city would have been impossible, and the na- tonal and state authorities would have been greatly delayed
 General Greedy, returning from leave, resumed command Sunday, and com mends in the highest terms the efficient l and tireless efforts of General Funston, l whose orders and action utilized and in- l spirel the army to most efficient action l in staying the progress of the flames and l saving the remnant of the city. It ap- psars impossible, but l assured by l General Greedy and others that the meth l ods of relief and restoration were so efh- l cienI that no person has suffered from lack of food, water and shelter
 Sanitary Inspection Thorough.
 ."The question of sanitation is receiving
 
 special attention. The entire city is in- speeted daily by four trained mounted officers. who report regularly the situa- l ton
 "The Qualifications are practically unin- l jured. Considerable damage was done the military buildings at the Presidio, and on l Angel Island Reports indicate that there was no damage to the buildings on Alca- traz island The mint and appraisers buildings are practically intact The sub treasury is entirely destroyed. Opinions differ as to the extent of the injuries to the postofdce. It is not believed that any of the vaults in the sub-treasury, or any banking Institution in the city have suf- fered any material damage.
 ''It is almost impossible to give an ac- curate estimate of the cost of repairs to public buildings, but from personal in- | spection of the buildings and from figures | given me by competent builders, 1 should say that the appraisers building would cost for repairs about 5000; mint Sl5,OO0, { and the postoffiee building not to exceed $500 GOO. Dr. Devine arrived Tuesday and cooperative action is already initiated. | insurlng harmony between the citizens l committee, the Red Cross agents and the military authorities as to lines of action to be followed in the future. It is report ed to me that no discrimination of any kind has been shown against any one on | account of race or color. The spirit of the people is to assist the suffering, whoever they may be.
 eases of violence and crime have been | exceedingly rare
 Health Is Remarkably Good.
 "The health of the city is remarkably good everything considered. Stories re- garding pestilence and epidemcs are des- | titute of foundation.
 At the meeting of the citizens commit a-I. Governor Pardee. Mayor Schmitz, Dr. De- vine, General Greedy and General Funs- ton and other officers of the army, 1t was determined to move the Chinese to the military reservation at the Presidio where | they will be under the direction and super vision of the army, and where especial attention can be paid to matters of sani- tation.
 "The Chinese consul called on me today, and when informed of this arrangement expressed his justification.
 ! 'I shall visit the Chinese camps thls afternoon for the purpose of ascertaining their exact condition from personal in speotion and examination.
 "'rhe people are confident and hopeful for the future and have not in any sense lost their courage. They feel under deep obligations to you and the national gov | ernment for the prompt and efficient as- sistance rendered them. l strongly urge that Congress at once appropriate suf- | ncient money to repair the damages to the public buildings, and for the building of another sub-tresury in place of the one destroyed 1 shall report to you later the damage caused in other sections of the state. c. II. METCALF." More Quakes In Salinas.
 Los Angeles. April 27.-A long distance telephone from the Associated Press cor