Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-04-21

patient and the wonderful order pre-
served by them has been of great as
sistance.
In Golden Gate Park are camped
10000 persons. A huge supply station
has been established there and provis-
ions are dealt out. Many thousands
are camped in vacant lots and squares
scattered about the city and these are
the unfortunates that are hard to
reach.
San Francisco. April 2o.-The people
of San Francisco, homeless and starry
ing, are facing the calamity which has
overtaken them and practically swept
out Of existence the great city Of which
all were so proud. There are no evil
dences of weakness to be seen among
the crowds of stricken people moving
hack reluctantly upon each advance or
the destroying flames which continue
to sweep toward the ocean. Appalled,
for the moment but undaunted, from
the bravery exhibited by the men,
women and children in face of over
whelming disaster is that of a race des-
tined to arise stronger than ever out or
the ruins which now surround them.
: There is little left today of the gay
city by the Golden Gate.
There seems little hope now of saw
= ing the residential section of the city
lying west and north of Van Ness av-
enue. The flremen are still making
strenuous efforts to check the all-de-
vouring flames but without avail. Wat
er Is in better supply but of little use
apparently against the Roadway now
gained by the fire. Owing to the intense
Feat the buildings for some distance
from the fire are as dry as finder and
seem to disappear like a flash the min
ute the flames reach them. The care Of
300 ono homeless, hungry refugees now
gathered in the city's squares and
parks, Is the main problem the local
authorities have to solve. They must
be fed and bread, meat and drink in
sufficient quantities are lacking. All
the leading cities and towns throughout
the country are now eXerting them
selves to lend assistance and provi
sions are now headed for them from
many points. Bread has already sold
as high as 81 a loaf and two loaves
and a can of sardines brought. in three
instances, $3.50. But this condition of
affairs will not be permitted to last
ter bakers have met and fixed the price
of bread at five cents a loaf with the
understanding that they will refuse to
sell to retailers who attempt to charge
famine prices. The committee of citi-
Zens now in charge of the situation III
the stricken city, will also use every eff
fort to keep the price of food down to
the ordinary price.
The committee of safety, composed
Of so of the leading citizens of San
Francisco, with Mayor Schmitz at its
head, will meet Friday to take all
necessary steps for the assistance of
the victims Of the fires.
Three relief stations for the homeless
have already been established by the
general committee at Golden Gate
Park. Preside and San Bruno road.
By order of the general committee all
remaining stores were entered by the po-
lice Thursday night and their goods con-
fiscated. Caravans of provisions are now
on their way to the three relief stations.
In the meantime the hills and beaches of
San Francisco look like an immense tent
ed city. For miles through the park and
along the beaches from 1nglesidc to the
sea wall at North Beach the homeless are
camped In tents. makeshifts rugged up
from a few sticks of wood and Il blanket
or sheet. Some few of the more fortu-
nate secured vehicles on which they load
ed regulation tents and therefore are
more comfortably housed than the ma jcr-
fly. 1t is understood that more than 100
600 persons. rich and POOR alike. sought
refuge In Golden Gate park alone, and
1000 more homeless ones are located at TIE
other places Of refuge. Portsmouth square
Thursday became for time public
morGue. Between 20 and 30 corpses were
laid side by side upon the troddcn grass
IN the absence OF more suitable accommo-
dations.
IL Is said when the flames threatened
TO reach the square the dead mostly I'M
known. we're removed to Columbia square
where they were buried when danger
threatened that quarter.
Gut at the Preside soldiers forced men
70 labor at burying the dead So thick
were the corpses piled UP that they were
becoming a menace, and the order wa.
issued to bury them at any cost IT.,
so'diers were needed for other work co
NJ the point of rifles. the citizens worn
compelled to take to the work ar b,,r,
Ing. Every man who came In roach w.,
forced to work at least one hour p,o,,
men unused to physical exertion labored
by the side Of workingmen At the nres
ent writing many still remain unburicd
and the soldiers are still pressing mon
Into service.
Frday and Saturday have been mad.
legal holidays. This, it is believed. win
give San Francisco bankers time to h.
In position to meet the demands of the
depositors and the danger of a financial
crisis would be averted.
The state and banks of the United
states In general have teIegraphed guar
anteeing support to local financial insti