Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-05-04
Compared With chlcago's Fire.
tFrom the Chicago Tribune

AAle CHANdbo
A Chicagoan who remembers the fire Of
1871 can get measurable idea of the de-
struction accomplished in San Francisco
two cities at the time of their respective
disasters The loss at San Francisco is
greater, but not so much so as TO make
a comparison impossible.
The population OF Chicago by the
federal census of 1870, using round num-
bers mere and elsewhere, was 29S, 900. In
October. 1871, 1t was estimated to be 334-
900. The population of San Francisco
In 1900 was $4,000. In 1908 It was
estimated by the census bureau at $780,
600. Mayor Schmitz estimated II in 1905
at $4,000 but this Is undoubtedly too
great, as the rate Of increase for many
years has been less than LIS per cent
yearly About 100000 would be a fair
estimate at the present time.
The Chicago fire covered an area Of
3 1-S miles. The San Francisco fire has
burnt over 10 square miles, about three
times as much as the fire OF 1871 The
number of people left homeless in Chi
cago was estimated by the relief and aid
society at 100000. In San Francisco at
least 100000 are without shelter OF their
own Among the homeless there is IN
this last fire a large proportion OF the
extremely poor who are dependent on
their earnings from day to day In order
to live, and who have nothing saved and
no place to go.
The wealth OF Chicago in 1871 was
much less than that OF San Francisco in
1906. Chicago had at that time few
holders of long accumulated wealth. The
business district had not then its present
dimensions; there were not the magnifi-
cent buildings the great department
stores and the banks. theatres and hotels
which now adorn the centre of the city,
but the business centre of San Francisco
may be more properly compared with
that Of Chicago OF today than with that
OF 30 years ago While San Fran
cisco has more of the nearly desti-
tute than Chicago had. II has also more
millionaires than Chicago had. It's
splendid homes. in the area laid waste
by fire, had no counterpart in Chicago.
The loss In Chicago was estimated at
$lSG 100000 but a discount of 10 per
cent. must be made from That amount
In currency to put II on a gold basis for
the purpose OF comparison. 1t is impossi-
bic yet to say what the loss in San Fran
cisco will reach. but every new despatch
tends TO show that early estimates were
too conservative, and that the amount is
likely to exceed 5000. 900 900.
The number Of lives lost in the two
fires will never be exactly known. In
quests were held on III victims Of the
hre in Chicago. Other persons reported
missing may swell the total to 200. In
San Francisco the loss of life from earth
quake and fire viii be many times as
great.
The future is more dubious for San
Francisco than 1t was for Chicago. The
city will rise again, and splendidly. but
II Will take longer. Capital is prudent.
1t can calculate against loss by fire, and
the lesson of the Chicago fire was so well
learned that there is no danger of a
repetition of that loss. But who can take
precautions against earthquakes? They
are irreconcilable with the needs of a
modern city Nicaraguan of Guate-
malan city is made OF houses each in
dependent but San Francisco must have
sewers, water pipes, electric wires, a
whole network Of connecting arteries and
veins The earthquake snaps these. How
can great modern city exist In the
earthquake belt? If capital cannot find
an answer, 1t will mean, as the operator
VINO sent the first alarm indicated, a
return to the simple life." The task Is
enormous.