The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-28
SUMMARIZED
 BY METCALF Secretary Describes the Frisco Situation, DEAD EsTIHA1F AT 300
 S Damage to P.s -rty Will Reach
 App, { Figures.
 g. No sufre, From Lack of Provisions or water-Extraordinar Re- lief work Done by Civn and Military Authorities.

regard to conditions in the stricken city as he should find, has wired the President a complete summary of the situation. He thinks the loss of life will not exceed 800; the injured being about 1000. The loss to Government buildings Is not so heavy as the early reports indicated. Secretary Metcalf says. however, that the industrial and commercial losses are appalling. There Is no suffering from lack of provisions or water. Everything considered the health of the people is excellent The people are confident and hopeful The Secretary recommends that Congress make appropriations at once for the re- pair and construction of Government buildings.
 r The full text of Secretary Metcais"s telegraphic report to the President Is as follows:
 Fort Mason, a San Francisco, April 26. To the President. Washington, D. C.: Dear Sir-Have practically completed inspection of the ruined districts. I do not believe the loss of life will be as great as anticipated. In my judgment 1t will be impossible to determine the exact number of deaths but conserv- ative estimates place the number at not to exceed 800. There are about 1000 sufferers Tn local hospitals and pTOuHpIy not OVSI fUU are ScTtouSiy 1U- jured. No necessity exists at the pres- ent time for nurses or doctors. and they should not be sent except upon recommendation of General Greedy or Dr. Devine. ,a 'a CommerciaI Loss Appalling. As regards industrial and commer- eial losses the conditions are appall- ing. Figures and distances convey but slight conceptions of realities. Not o..1w, ho xtal kha h1sufnaaS ana indus ri | houses and establishments of one-nalf million people disappeared leaving them destitute financially and their means of livelihood tennporariIy gone. but the conipiIcated system of trans- portation. Indispensable to the daily | comfort and interests of one-half mill | lion of people, has been almost totally | destroyed. The hilly confguration of San Francisco made movements by street railway almost indispensable. Over the city's area of twenty-five square miles the entire system of 4aiI- ways was damaged or destroyed and has not as yet been operated. The scanty supplyo of animals and carriages remaining after the fire has been largely impressed into civil and military service in order to prevent starvation. The entire telegraphic and telephonic systems were destroyed. making communication impossible. Practically every municipal building is destroyed, forcing the city officials into scanty quarters, necessarily situa- ted in localities difficult of access. The citizens committee appointed by Mayor Schmitz Is composed of the ablest busi- ness men of the city and their efforts, united and harmonious to an astonish- ing degree, speedily brought order out of choas and introduced systems of re- lief which have accomplished wonders. The efforts of the mayor and municipal officials of the citizens committee and of the regular army and of the state guard of California have been practi- cally as efficient as though the sepa- rate authorities were under one head. Neither friction nor reflections have at any time appeared and the work of relief has proceeded harmoniously, continuously and efficiently.
 Street Railroad system. The street railway system is rapidly approaching such state of repairs as to promise partial renewal of opera ,lon very soon. The signal corps has es- | tablished a military system of tele- graph lines connecting the headquar- ters of the army and of the mayor
 which are at Fort Mason. with the mint, hall of justice, district head quarters. the ferry and every point of special importance Without system
 
 have been impossible and the national and state authorities would have been greatly delayed.
 General Greedy, returning from leave, resumed command Sunday and commends in athe highest terms the efficient and tfreless efforts of General Funston whose orders and action in- spired the army to most efficient action in staying the progress of the flames and saving the remnant of the city If appears impossible, but I am assured by General Greedy and others, that the methods of relief and restoration were so efhcient that no person has suffered from lack of food, water or shelter.
 The question of sanitation is re- ceiving special attention The entire city Is inspected daily by four trained mounted officers who report regularly the situation.
 The Notifications are practically un injured. Considerable damage was dona the military buildings at the Presidio and on Angel Island. Reports indicate that there was no damage to the buildings on Alcatraz Island. The mint and appraisers buildings are practically intact. The sub-treasury is entirely destroyed. Opinions differ as to the extent of the injuries to the postofflce. It Is not believed that any of the vaults of the ub-treasurv or any banking institution in the city have suffered any material damage.
 It Is almost impossible to give an accurate estimate of the cost of re- pairs to public buildings but from per sonal inspection of the buildings and from figures given me by competent builders. should say that the apprais- CTS building would cost for repairs about $1,000; mint, $l5,000 and the postoffice building not to exceed $5OO.- 900.
 All Pulling Together.
 Dr. Devine arrived Tuesday and CO., operative action is already initiated, insuring harmony between the citizens committee, the Red Cross agents and the military authorities as to lines of action to be followed in the future It is reported to me that no discrimina- ton of any kind has been shown against any one on account of race or color. The spirit of the people is to assist the suffering, whoever they may