Milford chronicle., 1906-05-04
SAN FRANCISCO
NEEDS MONEY
Will Ask Congress to Endorse Bonds
to Rebuild City.
MUST FEED PEOPLE FOR WEEKS

San Francisco, May 1.-Reconstruc-
tion of San Francisco is on in earnest.
AS a result many destitute men re-
sumed work. The army ration plan
was begun in the feeding of the desti-
tute. The relief committee is uncertain
how soon free supplies may fail. and
plans are under consideration to pre-
vent famine.
Signs of a renewal of industrial ac-
tivity were apparent in many parts
of the burned area, and the work of
clearing away debris preparatory to
rebuilding was in progress in a score
of places. It was said that plans for
more than 30 large buildings have
been drawn and will be submitted to
the authorities as soon as the new
building laws are promulgated.
The mayor advised the board of ST.
pervisors that he would appoint
committee consisting of engineer
architects, builders and 1-- '"7
prepare plans for laying - "a
and boulevards and re,
San Francisco.
At a meeting of James D. Phala
chairman of the finance commit
and some prominent lawyers and banl
ers, a plan was broached for inancin
the city. which it is hoped will NEE
with the endorsement of the genera.
committee. AS it is estimated that the
city has suffered a loss of $500, 00t
by fire, it is said that there is not sufi-
cient money in San Francisco to re
construct the city, and that the people
must look elsewhere for funds to re-
habilitate their destroyed fortunes.
Mr. Phelan said that if the money
were borrowed through ordinary chan
nels the rate of interest would add a
burden that could not be borne under
the conditions. The plan of Mr.. Phe-
Ian is to frame legislation to present
to congress, asking the United States
to endorse the proposed bonds of San
Francisco. With this guarantee of the
government, the city would be able
to go into the financial markets of the
world and borrow the needed money
at low rate of interest on bonds to
run for so years and secured by a mort
gage on the best portion of the city.
The number of people without sub
stantial shelter has been reduced to
minimum. Theshousing committee re-
ported that applications for accommO-
dations have ceased. The work of this
committee has been lessened by de-
partures of many people to other parts
of the state
With no immediate prospect that
conditions will be so normalized that
the community will be able to feed and
take care of itself for several weeks,
the citizens committee began to
evolve some way to provide against
approaching failure of supplies.
Mayor Schmitz informed the general
that 700 car loads of food
and supplies had been distributed
since April IS, and transportation
lines had information of only 10S cars
now on the way.
"If" said the mayor, "this informa-
ton is correct, we will soon be worse
off than we were a week ago. If the
has gone abroad through
the country that we are amply sup
piled. it is more than unfortunate, for
we are not. 1t is not even known how
much money we can depend upon with
which to purchase supplies, for you
have heard from Mr.. Phelan on sew
eral occasions that part at least of this
money subscribed by individuals or
in the east is disbursed
through private agents here. While it |
is true that. contributions of money |
will be very much more to the pur |
pose than contributions of supplies, it |
should be known to the world if the |
one is not available the other will be
most gratefully received"
James D. Phelan, chairman of the |
finance committee, received a telegram |
from Secretary of War Taft notifying |
him that only $7SO,OOO remained out
If the $2,500,000 appropriated by con.
gress. and that this sum would be ex-
pended for supplies, etc. The telegram
was read at the session of the finance
committee and filed without discus
sion.
Among the ruins of the once great
houses temporary structures
ire arising in mushroom fashion and
he rivulets of commerce are beginning
O move with increasing volume into
,roader channels. Scores of little
wooden buildings can be seen in pro-
ess of erection on all sides, and from
he southern water front innumerable
cams are hauling lumber for the tenn
,orary homes of merchants and re-
alters.