Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-14
HOMELESS AT OAKLAND
10000 EARTHoUAKE VICTIMS
ARE BEING CARED ron.
special Correspondence q ne Star.

Special Correspondence Of 1ne star.
OAKLAND. Cal, May 8, 1905
Peace on earth. good win toward men"
This Is the beautiful sentiment that seems
to peryade the whole atmosphere here.
where 10000 Of San Francisco's homeless
are being cared for. The greatness OF man.
kind was never impressed upon mo before
as It has been today. The people Of Tho
city are not merely extending comfort. en-
couragement and means Of support to the
multitude Of earthquake victims. but they
are actually compelling these unfortunstes
to accept their Inequalities
During the terrible first hours following
the shaking Of the earth saw bread sold
for one dollar q loaf. But It has always
been five cents a loaf In Oakland, Just
across the bay from San Francisco. And
more.
The city OF Oakland Is OVERCOMING With
Kindness. To be charitable, self-sacrincing
ana to be able to speak kindly instead o.
grufhy seems to be every ones ambition.
The people who give feel better for doing
1t, and those who receive feel their hearts
beautifully here through the as length th'n Of
every day. The elements and human nature
living.
II have been made a better man by the
kindness OF spirit OF every one" said one
earthquake sufferer to me today as his
eyer filled with tears. 1T had come to the
conclusion that all men were greedy, selfish
things. But have seen business men who
were formerly arch enemies work shoulder
to shoulder to do favors for the unfortu-
nate; some great influence seemed to have
taken hold OF them. Their whole characters
had changed. They have become better
men,"
One cannot walk block in Oakland with
out seeing signs Of the great Cody wave
nf hVxp, rfvxI~ L
fected all.
In front Of every available hall are signs
signifying that inside Is relief for any who
suffer. At one place saw sign which
inform us of any attempt to charge more.
Heavy penalties will follow violations"
Discomfort to Sufferers.
In a local paper I read the following,
which was signed by the representative
produce merchants of the city: Eggs are
70 cents dozen; butter Is 80 cents a
pound. Report any attempt at overcharge.
Ir many restaurants groceries, clothing
and hardware stores appear signs stating
that everything in this store will remain
at old prices. Persons showing that they
have been made homeless in the earthquake
ana fire will be given one-half discount"
In front of the local theater I read these
signs: Plenty of assistance and Transporter
ton for all theatrical people inside"
Ahcfc are uOHurcdS u pfdc6S where 1000
Is given away. No one is suffering now.
The Santa Fe Railway Company Is doing
everything possible. ate dinner on one of
the lines ferry boats plying between Point
ing an unusually large order and an extra
cup OF coffee the waiter presented check
for % cents.
Haven't you made mistaken asked.
NO. was the reply; Everything Is one
half former price. SIR
Thousands of men walked the streets
wearing ribbons proclaiming them MEM
bers of some relief organization. Some OF
the badges read, tx of P. Relief" Ma
sons Relief" "Woodmens Relief" "Elks'
Relief" and Union Mems Relief
Special Relief Work.
Besides the general relief stations there
are special relief headquarters for mem
bers of all societies and lodges. unions and
headquarters for residents and natives OF
every state of the Union.
Every large newspaper in the country has
esta blished branch offices in Oakland, and
makes a part of its work hunting up rela-
tives of earthquake victims.
Along the streets are tubs containing
water for drinking purposes. Before the
relief committee placed the water at the
disposal of the refugees two young men at
tempted to sell water charging 8 cents a
glass.
Finally two soldiers discovered their at
tempt TO profit at the expense of the home
less. They charged the water statesmen
with their bayonets. The crowd took up
the chase and caught them. They were
Ora gged back to the corner at which they
had been selling water. Both tubs were
emptied of their contents on the water
statesmen, who were afterward further pun
ished by being rolled in the dust.
Money and supplies are coming in from
all parts of the United States. To the
casual observer 1t would seem that much
of the foodstuff will ultimately go to waste
if the eyer-increasing trainloads continue
much longer But the auth6Iitie do not
share this belief. They take the position
that there are 100000 people to feed, and
IL is better to have too much to feed them
with than too little.
Ali California cities are preparing for as
many refugees as possible in private
homes Railroad companies are carrying
San Franciscans to any city in the state
free Hundreds are taking advantage OF
this generosity. c. X. L.