Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-26
Rv Associated Presa.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 25.-Grad-
ually the national government is taking
over the work of succoring the home
less and foodless thousands of San
Francisco, and tomorrow the represent
atives of the United States army Will
have charge of the gigantic task of is
suing food to all those who still remain
in the city.
This development resulted from the
Meeting of the executive committee to-
day and the work will be turned over
to the United States quartermaster of
this department, who will establish
complete system of issuing rations at
all of the fifty-eight stations through
out the city.
This move, considered most i'm
portant one, has resulted from the lack
of system exercised at some places and
the necessity of replacing the scores OF
independent relief committees with a
thoroughly organized system with one
responsible head.
Optimistic Reports
This was a day of optimistic reports
from all sides. Conditions improving"
was the happy expression from those
who have had charge of any of the SELF
imposed duties of caring for their less
fortunate fellow townsmen during the
last few days.
In fact, now that the most important
duty will hereafter be performed by
the United States army, that OF dis
tributing the vast amount of food and
other supplies which have been DO
mated with almost lavish hands by the
people of the entire country, the citl-
zens of San Francisco have turned their
attention to the details of the recon-
struction of their businesses.
Merchants Get Busy
There was a resumption of business
to an astonishing extent today consider
ing the conditions, throughout the resi-
dence section.
Retail stores were instructed to re-
open and the municipal government has
established scale of prices for the
most important commodities, food,
clothing, etc, which is even below that
existing under normal conditions.
Warming was given retailers that any
effort on their part to charge exorbitant
prices would result in summary action
by the authorities. Street car service
is promised for tomorrow and electric
lights will be turned on tomorrow even
ing.
AS yet there is no definite time set
for the resumption of cooking in the
houses.
The work of rebuilding and repairing
the chmneys is progressing rapidly,
but it will probably be some time be-
fore it is considered safe to allow fires.
Picturesque Sights
The preparation of the morning and
evening meal-for San Francisco, as
a rule, does not partake of more than
that number at presents one of the
most picturesque sights resulting from
the catastrophe.
In front of every house there is a
small improvised furnace or a cook
In some places the Chinese servants
still remain faithful to their employers
and to them the cooking is entrusted,
but it is no unusual thing to see the
wives of men who few days ago
were the possessors of millions stirring
the porridge or deftly manipulating
bacon and eggs.
The housewives enter into the spirit
of the work with a zest and good ma
ture which demonstrates the facility
with which the average American ad-
justs himself or herself to the needs
of the hour.
Go to Bed Early
San Francisco goes to bed at night
fall.
While the extremely rigid rule con-
lights in houses has been con-
siderably modified, stifl the general
situation is considered by the average
citizen to be so unsafe at night that |
he retires without going abroad and
in many cases without showing light |
in his house.
Many reports have been made during |
the past few days of shots fired into
houses that showed light, and few
are disposed to take chances. To those
who have known San Francisco in
former days these statements will APP
pear almost unreasonable. But San
Francisco has gone through trying
days since she was awakened on We'd ]