The Washington times., 1906-05-20

The work OF relieving the sufferings of
san Francisco infants made homeless
with their parents as the result of the
recent earthquake and fire IN that city.
was organized IL Il. j. Bliss. OF Brock
ton, Mass. president of the Regal Shoe
Stores. This Incident tells one Of the
most interesting chapters OF the story
connected with that great and far
reaching calamity.
The succor OF these little mites. al
most overlooked IN the mad rush OF
panic, first, to stem the sweep of the
all-conquering flames, then. when the
first law OF nature was uppermost, 10
save life. places this Brockton shoe man.
critical observer has said. at the front
rank among the score OF benefaetors
who have sprung up 10 answer the wall
or the Rrief-stricken city. The whole
thought and subsequent weII-organized
plan. II is suggested, has resulted in not
only saving the lives OF huadreds of the
little sufferers. helpless in the fact that
In a large majority OF cases their par
ents were at first unable 20 afford them
the slightest relief from suffering
brought on by hunger and exposure.
but insures for them a permanent source
Of relief.
Public's Quick Response.
AS told in the words of Mr.. Bliss him
self 70 Times representative today. II
throws side light on the softer side
OF American character and shows the
eagerness Of the public generally 70 re-
spond 10 a call when the need of help
becomes apparent. particularly II it be
70 shelter the weak and helpless.
i arrived in Los Angeles from San
Francisco" said Mr.. Bliss. early in
the morning following the earthquake
and 1t at once became apparent from
meager reports received that Frisco
would soon be In need Of outside aid. the
press dispatches then saying that the
city was in flames. Even the people of
Los Angeles were planning relief work.
but IL was all for the parents. No
thought was given tho younger children
and babies Being a father myself. the
Thought occurred that the thousands OF
babies left to the tender mercies Of a
nre-ridden city. with perhaps no pro-
lection except that OF a panic-stricken
mother would be in need Of some i'm
mediate provision.
With relief plan outlined. I present
ed the suggestion TO the chamber OF
commerce Of Los Angeles. and was gi.-
e'. immediate support Securing ample
donations. for the sympathetic chords
Of the people there were touched. we
bought up every available supply os
those articles covering the needs Of in
fants. including milk bottles. nippIes
condensed milk. prepared baby foods.
articles such as baby shoes. dresses Of
assorted sizes. underclothing. soap. etc
CorneTed the Market.
In few hours the Los Angeles de-
partment stores were clean OF their
stocks, and 1 think we cornered this
market for once" smiled the speaker. as
II the memory had for him a pleasant
side. "A relief train of five cars was
then secured. and, together with a COM
mittee Of others. we. with our precious
relief cargo. left for the devastated CITY
Arriving there we found everything in
chaos The first thought OF the San
F'ranciscans seemed to be to save what
ever movable goods they could. and. in
consequence. thousands of babies were
left TO shift with their terrorlzeS
mothers.
Our work Of relief was at once en-
tered into. We secured five big automo-l
b.les and distributing station near thel
railway, and here the autos were loaded
and. in charge Of a member Of the re-
lief committee, were sent TO various
points where the people had taken
refuge. Wherever a suffering baby or a
needy mother was found the little mite
was soon made as comfortable as a
fresh bottle OF milk or a warm garment
would secure it and the mother was, in
a degree, made happy
This was the first emergency relief.
AS soon as il was we'll organized, I put