The San Francisco call., 1906-07-16

4 IA III A
Wv personal test"
1t a simple editorial request
from his point of view, but through my mind
rushed visions of orcible objections the part Of
my family Of one mother and one husband.
Nor was I mistaken. There were hours Of
argument, pro and con, ere my better half could
be persuaded that his wife's mission was to throw,
the calcium light upon the public temporary homes
of the citys unhoused people Let some one else do
it. was the burden OF his argument. But at length
my enthusiasm won the day and I started out to
seek admission into camp under the guise Of .
needy refugee
That was last Tuesday, but it seems as if years
had passed my head, for have been refugee.
Yes, have indeed lived the life of these people
upon whom the whole nation has showered not it's
charity but its fraternal aid, and the experience
makes me marvel that l once hestated and finds
me thanking Fate that went ahead.
Last Tuesday after perfectly arranged lunch
con at the towns best cafe exchanged my shop
ping dress for old clothes, with the feeling that
was starting on somewhat of lark. This morn
ing folded away that same shabby outfit as one
might lay aside the garments OF dead friend. It
has been friend to me, for it showed the
hearts of the stricken people had the laugh
ing faces OF refugees in merry humor, but now n
have lived among them when the mask was
dropped and have the steady depression that
comes with degrading system.
Takes Three Days to Get Bedding.
As to my personal experience, will stop only
to say that, admitted into the park a needy soul
who had place to sleep was unable to obtain
any bedding for three days, although it def
ntely understood that had no home. There SIM
ply was no bedding to be had come back from my
life as refugee in Golden Gate Park camp (said to
be one OF the best in the city, burning with ndigna
ton at the outrages which conditions there heap
upon the peoples proteges, and return with this
message to the thousands who have freely given to
their worthy fellow citizens whom Fate laid
heavy hand last April:
Though there are murmurings about leaks
and steals found no evident attempts to swindle.
no willfu neglect, but mismanagement so woe
fully apparent that the least complaining, longest
suffering cry out against It | saw women, many
obviously delicate, standing in line for days like
patient dogs a few household indispen-
sibles. discovered families who had slept on
boards since the disaster / came upon shy and
proud souls, whose little all the flames had de-
voured, subssting as best they could, unwilling to
ask for what North, South, East and West had
meant should be freely bestowed because they
must take the attitude of beggars to attain their
desires. Many unsuspecting fellow refugees told
me of favoritism shown by those in charge of the
warehouses to friends the camp; of new, desir-
able clothing lavishly bestowed those without
proper papers, while patient walters IN the ever
present line produced their countersgned orders in
vain. And while must still study the problem ere
fully just wherein the error hes, so tar as
/ have gone it appears to come from an inefficient
number of officials and crying need of mastery
men to fill the places
There is certainly a leak, there would not be
such lack, insisted a business who has been
connected with one of the citys largest furniture
stores for twelve years, and like all leaks, 1t comes
| from the bottom. The heads are honest but some
one gets away with supplies. But the heads though
honest, are not business men. Let them spend
i less time in trying to check off the refugees who
get too much and put in more thought on OUT
siders who get too much. Let them put in man
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