The Globe-republican., 1906-04-26
DISCUSSED THE CALAMITY
President and Cabinet Devoted SFri-
days Session to Consideration
of San Francisco's Needs.
SECRETARY METcALf SENT TO SCENE
in Aleyiating the Distress and Suffering
Of the Stricken PeOple-6upplies Being
Gathered and shipped a. East as Possi-
ble-Refugees at Berkeley.

Gathered and shipped a. East as Posi-
ble-Refugees at Berkeley.
-- 4g-
Washington, April 21.-President
Roosevelt and members Of his cab
met Friday devoted the greater part
Of their semi-weekly session TO a dis
cussion of the calamity which has
befallen San Francisco. The matter
was taken up Immediately after the
cabinet convened and 1t was decided
that Secretary Metcalf, who is =
resident Of Oakland, Ca, should pro-
ceed to the stricken city at once as
representative Of the national gov
ernment.
Secretary Metcalf left for San Fran
cisco Friday afternoon. It will be
his effort to consult with the governor
Of California and the municipal au-
thorities Of San Francisco and to ad-
wise the national administration what,
If anything, may be done to alleviate
the distress there. W
Orders have been issued by the war
department to army officers to .pur-
chase at Los Angeles Immediately
100000 rations and at Seattle 300,-
900 rations and hurry to San Fran
cisco.
The department was informed that
there are 100000 rations at the Presi-
dio, that thousands of refugees are be-
ing sheltered there and that the army
is feeding them. One million rations
already have been started to San
Francisco by the department.
The department Friday morning
received the following dispatch from
Maj. Devol, superintendent Of trans
port service, dated San Francisco Fri
day:
Answering yours, am Issuing 5000
common wall tents in store at Presi-
dio storehouse, also 1000 buckets and
1000 blankets. Will continue issu-
ing until stock is exhausted. Lack
OF water very serious. Can proba-
bly, take care of tentage. as fast as
1t arrives. No stoves needed owing
to glowing cinders. Warehouses in
some danger at Presidio. All store
houses in city totally destroyed with
contents except storage of officers eff
fects. Dock and adj transports min
jured. Have moved records and files
to Presidio."
Berkley, CAL, April 21.-Every train
from San Francisco ishringing hum
dreds of refugees from that city. It is
estimated that at least 5000 homeless
people have come here and on account
OF the large influx the city has practi-
cally been placed under martial law
A thousand cadets of the University
OF California are patrolling the streets
and 100 special policemen are watch
Ing homes and stores.
Thursday night the campus ami
athletic field OF the University Of CAL
ifornia was converted into "a great
sleeping room. Tents were nrovidsA
for women while cots Of straw wefe
stretched out for the men. Binder the
historic oak of the campus is an i'm
mense tent where the cooking is done
Every church and fraternal haI in
the city has been thrown open and
converted into bed rooms. The hos
pitality of the university and town
people is being gratefully accepted by
the weary, homeless who are in
fairly comfortable condition.
Many of San FranciscOs injured
have been brought here and are being
cared for by the medical men Of the
city In an emergency hospital. Many
pathetic scenes are witnessed among
the sick. Among the patients are
women with newly born children.