The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-30
San Francisco Has Begun the
Work Of Cleaning Up.
Debris Is Being Removed and
Foundations Started.
S WORK FOR ALL.
Safes Are Being Opened and
Money is Turned Loose.
Little Sickness Apparent and
Alarm Is Disappearing.

San Francisco, April 30.-Today mark
ed the actual beginning OF disentangling
San Francisco from its disordered con
dition and Of commencing the work
of reconstruction. On many sides were
visible indications of the determination
of merchants to resume business. Gangs
of men with teams We're excavating for
foundations in numerous vacant lots
and in other places the removal of
debris of burned buildings was well
under way. The streets at an early
hour were thronged with laborers on
their way to the burned districts where
they had been engaged to assist in the
task Of cleaning up.
The boats from the cities across the
bay and the local electrical cars from
the suburbs were packed with work
men who had already secured employ
ment. In many places advertisements
were posted on the walls seeking la
borers and these inquiries for men were
met with numerous responses from
heads of families, who were only too
willing to engage in any kind of labor.
The authorities today issued numer-
Gus permits to corporations and indi-
viduals to open their safes. Every pre-
caution was taken to establish the
identity of owners so that it will be
almost impossible to practice fraud in
this direction. These safes are of the
ed to permit of the doors being opened.
BY this means q little more money viii
be put in general circulation and some
of the distress arising from the want
of cash will be Immediately relieved.
Today's work of providing for the
destitute and the homeless was done
under the plan devised by General
Greely and a check put upon the waste
extravaganza and deception that had
prevailed to some extent in the past A
closer watch was kept on individual
cases and by this method it is probable
that in the future there Will be no ex-
cess supply delivered to any one fam
iIy.
There will be some important meet
ings of the committee connected with
the financial future of the city and It is
expected the ideas advanced for the re-
habitation OF the city viii become crys-
talized ia q. definite project which may
eventually be submitted to congress for
action by that body. The police and
| which viii eventually prevent further
/ lOoting OF the ruins particularly in Chi
natoWn. The latter place has been a
mecca for relic hunters and it is assert
ed that men and women of prominence
have been carrying from the ashes OF
this quarter many valuable pieces of
| ChinaWare, bronze, etc Last night four
nilitiamen were placed under arrest
while digging in the ruins Of Chinese
bazaars and a number of others were
frightened away by shots fired over
their heads. Hereafter a strong mill
tary line will be drawn around the
boundaries Of the former Chinese col
ony.
The extension of street car, telegraph
and telephone service is proceeding as
rapidly as the difficulties viii permit
and it is hoped that before the week is
ended the people who remain in San
Francisco will be provided for in the
affairs Of communication and transpor-
| tation along lines approaching normal.
Reports from the refugee camps and
hospitals show an astonishingly small
percentage Of sickness and the bugaboo
of threatened epidemics has been
/ buried, it is hoped for all time.
The water supply is getting better
every day and in several sections of the
saved district the force of water in the
faucets is almost as strong as it was
before the big fire
Hearst Asks s., 500, 900 More.
Washington. April 30.=A resolution
was presented to the house today by
! Representative Hearst of New York
/ appropriating s2,50O.00O additional for
the California earthquake and fire suf-
| ferers.