The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-21
IN THE CAMPS
 OF DISTRESS Rich and Poor on le Same Footines EVE, ernzIIsgs. CROWDED Efforts Toward Just Distribution
 of Supplies. Authorities Take steps for Sanitation in order That m Outbreak of Dis- ease May be Prevented
 Good Humor Prevails.
 

viewing the many square miles or ruins that once made San Francisco a city, no better realization of the ruin that has come to this place can be gained than by visiting the refugee camps located in the districts which ell Gate Park was the Mecca of the des- titute. This immense playground of the municipality has been converted into vast mushroom city that bears striking resemblance to the heeting towns located on the border of q Gov ernment reservation about to be opened to public settlement
 The common destitution and suffer- ing have wiped out social. financial and racial distinctions. The man who last Tuesday was a prosperous merchant is occupying with his family little plot of ground that adjoins the open air home of laborer. The white man of California has forgotten his antipathy to the Asiatic race and maintaining friendly relations with pew Chinese and Japanese neighbors. The society belle who Tuesday night was butter fly of fashion at the grand opera per- formance, was assisting some factory girl in the preparation of humble daily meals. Money this afternoon had lit tie value. The family who had had foresight to lay in the largest stock of foodstuffs on the first day of dis aster is rated highest in the scale of wealth.
 A few of. the families who could se- cure willing expressmen are posessors of cooking stoves. but over 95 per cent. of the refugees are doing their cook ing on little camp ovens made of brick or stone Kitchen utensils that last week would have been regarded with contempt are today articles of high value.
 Bulk of People fin Need.
 Many of the homeless people are in possession of comfortable clothing and bed covering. but the great bulk of them are in need. The grass Is their bed and their daily clothing their only protection against the penetrating fog of the ocean or the chilling dew of the morning. Fresh meat disappeared "Wednesday morning and canned foods and breadstuffs are the only victuals in evidence.
 Not alone are the parks places of refuge. Every large vacant lot in the safe zones has been exempted and even the cemeteries are crowded. A well known young woman of social position when asked today where she had spent the night. replied On grave"
 Throughout the entire western por- ton of the peninsula county of San Francisco these camps are located.
 The municipal safety committee has had plans for concentrating these un- fortunate people in several great camps, but unless they are forcibly herded to- Rether like cattle. this scheme seems impossible of accomplishment.
 Major McKeever of the United States army has been appointed commandant of the camps and with his stan of as- sistants was today trying to bring some sort of system and order out of the chaotic situation. Ills first thought is to supply food and water and then to arrange sanitary measures. These throngs of people. crowded elbow to elbow in the open lots and fields with out conveniences that are naturally demanded, are threatened with an cpl demic of disease unless some wise precautions are speedily observed and the authorities, even as early as yes terday had been constructing necessary outhouses.
 Good Fellowship Prevails.
 Good order and fellowship seems to prevail in these impromptu settlements and the common ruin and poverty has made all of the unfortunates akin. In buildings close to the camps the police are storing available foodstuffs and bedclothing for convenient delivery. That there will be a just and equal distribution of the supplies is evident from the temper of the city administra- tion. No distinctions are drawn and but few favors shown.
 The grave question is. How soon will an adequate supply of food ar rive from outside points, avert fam inc and Restitution"
 There is little food in San Francisc 0 outside of what little each person pos sesses and this can not last more than a few days.
 San Francisco is geographically an isolated city. It's nearest large neigh bor on the south Is Los Angeles, 500 miles away. To the north is Port land. nearly 500 miles distant, and its nearest sister in the great east is Salt Lake City, 1000 miles away. These cities and all of the less popu- lated nearer towns are making sac rifices for the destitute here, but it is to the big cities of the nation that San Francisco looks with anxious eye for relief.