New-York tribune., 1906-04-21
OFFICIALS WORK HARD.
Mr.. METCALF GOES WEST
" e0sures to Prevent Famine and
Plague Being Pushed.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau.I


Washington. April 20.-The President and the
members of his Cabinet are still straining every
energy TO relieve the suffering al San Francisco.
Secretary Metcalf Of the Department of Com
merce and Labor, who is resident of Oakland
started this afternoon for San Francisco. so that
the government might have a trustworthy repre-
sentative on the ground
President Roosevelt sent 81 900 to the Red
Cross. and other officials have given large sums
Contributions continue TO pour into the Red
Cross at its headquarters in the War Depart
ment
To-days Cabinet meeting was devoted chiefly
to the matter of forwarding supplies and afford
ing other needed relief Secretary Taft has can
celled many engagements and is sticking to his
post night and day. issuing directions and ac-
complishing wonders in the way of forwarding
food tents and other things needed. He was
able TO inform the Cabinet this morning that
already one special train its way 10 the
stricken district from the State of Washington
and that another would start within a few hours
There is growing feeling that the loss of life
and the destruction Of property have been con-
siderably exaggerated in some of the press dis
patches which have thus far been received from
San Francisco. but this will not in the least
operate to prevent everything possible being
done for the relief of the survivors.
There are 10000 ratiors now at the Presi1io
and 100000 more are on the way, The official
news that the postofice is safe gives great grati-
fcation, especially the delivery of mail. at
least at the general delivery windows, can be re-
sumed promptly. The President and navy off,
cials were particularly glad to learn from Ad-
miral McCalIa that the three cruisers which are
being built in San Francisco. and which are we
on toward completion, safe. Their combined
value is estimated at $10000000 and il was
feared that they had been destroyed. which
would have resulted in an embarrassing loss to
tho government as they are badly needed for the
Asiatie fleet. They were recently launched,
which accounts for their escape from destruction.
Senators Flint and Perkins, although shocked
beyond expression at the disaster which has
overtaken their state express the utmost conf
dence that the Golden Gate City will soon be
rebuilt on the most modern lines. They believe
that this experience with earthquake and fire
will point the way by which any such catas-
trophe be guarded against in the future, and
they expect to San Francisco larger and more
beautiful than ever. Senator Perkins received
from Governor Pardee to-day a telegram of
thanks for the generosity OF Congress
The Chief of staff of the army has ordered
additional troops to San Francisco and more
will be sent If needed. The generous cOntribu-
tions which coming from all sources to-
gether with the active work OF the government
in hurrying troops and supplies TO the scene
promise to minimize the suffering OF the sur
Vivors.
The knowledge that the fire had spent itself al
last caused great satisfaction on all sides here
but IL is realized that, aside from feeding the
multitude and sheltering them In tents a grave
peril confront every one in the ruined city on
account of the destruction of its sanitation sys-
TEN. With all the sewers choked. with no water
for flushing them, and the drinking water liza BILE
10 contamination, extreme precautions will have
TO be observed to avoid an outbreak of disease
Army and navy officers are preparing TO prevent
such development, and under strict martial law
they expect TO exercise rigid preventive meas
ureA.