The San Francisco call., 1906-06-05

At the request Of the publicity de-
psrtment Of the Southern Pacific Com
pany. which has undertaken the task
Of acquainting the people of the United
States concerning actual conditions in
California, Mayor Schmitz has written
q communication which will be sent for
publication TO every newspaper and
magazine in this country. The text is
as follows:
Temporary ohce of the Mayor.
San Francisco, June ,, 1906.
Unable 10 address. personally, the
thousands OF generous men and women
who. during the last few weeks. have
sent inquiries from every city, town and
hamlet in the United States concerning z
the future Of San Francisco. ] have
come TO the conclusion that there is but
one way TO thank them, in behalf of
the city OF San Francisco. for their So
licitude. That way is through the me-
dium OF the press.
- / desire TO say to all persons that the
people OF this city are profoundly
grateful for all that has been done for
them by any and by all who have con-
tributed TO their needs during the eX-
ceptiOnally trying period that has fol-
lowed April is. 1906.
The exhibition OF kindness every
where manifested has been extremely
creditable and illustrates the unity OF
the people Of the United States in sym
pathy, condition arising from our
common history, common tendencies.
ties OF blood, and intertwined and in
separable interests as a nation.
GREAT LOSS WAS BY FIRE.
Exa xaegerated reports. sent out during a
period Of much excitement, have con-
yeyed the erroneous idea, as manifested
by publications in the newspapers out
side OF California, that san Francisco
was practically obliterated by earth
quake and fire
The fire swept one-eleventh of the
area OF San Francisco. leaving ten-elev-
enths unscorched and standing. The
earthquake of April Is last dana ged
some buildings, those that were poorly
constructed, but did not harm struct-
ures Of the more modern type. The
skTScra pers" emerged from the earth
quake as good as new. The thousands
Of residences in the city, with the eX-
CeptiOn Of a few resting on made
land" escaped with little more injury
than the shaking down of chimneys-
Our great loss was through fire,
which starting simultaneously in sew
eral parts Of the city and famed by
breezes from the ocean, proved TO be
beyond the control of our Fire Depart
ment which would not have been the
case If our water supply had been ade-
uented.
PEOPLE UNDISMAYED.
Such a calamity as befell Boston,
Charleston. :. c. and Baltimore-such
as might aff1ict any large city in the
world-ca me to us d little more than a
month ago While the ashes We're los
ing their heat and while fires smOldered
in scores OF localities. walls that had
crumbled were torn down, incalculable
quantities Of debris were removed from
the streets that travel and business
might be Immediately resumed; con-
tracts for building splendid modern
structures We're awarded while the air
remained clOuded with the smoke of a
confs grafton that included thousands
% Of acres Of mighty improved real estate.
In a fortnight after our great fire
centers of retail trade that existed
We're largely utilized and others were
planned with all speed consistent with
good business Judgment Hardly later
than this plans were considered for the
Improvement and increased safety of
this city. involving the creation Of new
streets and the widening OF others. to
insure an indestructible and more
splendId METROPOLIS tor the Pacific