The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-19
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ACTION
AUTHORIZES HELP TO BE SENT
TO STRICKEN PEOPLE.
Calf ornia Oflcials Much Disturbed over
the Reports That Came-House OF Rep.
re%scntattyes Adjourns Out OF sympathy
Prayers offered In Both Houses,

the Reports That Came-House OF Rep.
rescntatives Adjourns Out or sympathy
Prayers offered In Both Houses.
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-Great interest
and some excitement was caused in Wash
ington over the reports of the earthquake.
This was particularly the case at the Capitol,
where members OF Congress from Cali
fornia and other Pacific Coast States gath
cred around the telegraph Offices and sought
news Of the extent of the disaster. Many
Of them we're notioeably perturbed, and
Representative julius Kahn of the Fourth
California district. whose nome is in San
Francisco, was almost In a state of collapse.
Mrs. Kahn is in San Francisco and on Mon
day gave birth TO a child.
Although the Kahn house is outside the
area where most of the damage was done,
Mr.. Kahn feared that the shock to his wife's
nervous system, in view of her condition,
would lave serious results. He tried
fruitlessly to get into Geographic oommuni-
cation with Mrs. Kahn, but did receive a
message from a friend in San Francisco
saying that ~ffty-four city blocks or
squares had been practically destroyed;
that the Erami ner and Chronicle buildings
were ruined, and that towns on San Fran
cisco Bay, such as Oakland, Berkeley and
Benicia, had suffered heavily. Berkeley,
he was told, had been virtually wiped out
Victor l.. Metcalf, Secretary Of Commerce
and Labor, was greatly perturbed over
the reports about Oakland his home. He
has several relatives there. Representative
Gillett of California has a daughter at Palo
Alto University and another at Mills College,
both of which are supposed not to have been
affected by the earthquake. Representative
Lacey of Iowa has a daughter, Mrs. j. b.
Brewster, who lives at the st. Nicholas
Hotel, which was in the zone of the earth
quake.
The House Of Representatives. took
prompt action in connection with the
disaster. Late this afternoon Representa-
tive Kahn, upon the suggestion of Repre-
sentative Payne of New York, the Re-
publican floor leader, secured recognition
and moved that the House adjourn in view
of the San Francisco calamity. A hush
fell upon the chamber, extending to the
galleries, as Mr.. Kahn, evidently speak
ing under the stress Of great emotion, said:
"The messages that have been coming
from San Francisco within the last hour
or two are of the most appalling nature.
The latest | nave heard is that fifty-four
blocks of San Francisco nave been des
stroyed, while the cities oil the other side
OF the bay are also in a terrible condition.
No doubt there is a great loss of life and
consequent suffering and distress. There
fore | offer as a resolution hat the War
Department and Navy Department place
at the disposition OF the Mayor of San
Francisco such supplies as may be neces-
sary.'
Speaker Cannon-Let me suggest that
the Joint resolution should be in black and
white and drawn with care.
So the matter went over temporarily
to permit Mr.. Kahn to draft the desired
document.
Later Mr.. Kahn offered the following
resolution:
,Resolped, By the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States Of
America in Congress assembled,
That the Secretary of War be and he is
hereby authorized and directed to loan TO
| the Mayors Of the cities of San Francisco,
Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda and such other
cities on the Pacific coast as may have
sustained damage, under such regulations
and restrictions as he may deem proper, a
sufficient number OF tents to temporarily
shelter such persons az have been rendered
homeless and lave lost property by the
earthquake Of this date and attending con
1agration, and to issue r%ations, supplies and
render such other aid to such as are destitute
and unable to provide for themselves.
sBe it further provided:
THAT the Secretary Of the Treasury and
the Secretary of the Navy are also hereby
directed to cooperate with the Secretary of
War in extending pslief Inc assistance to the
stricken people herein referred to, to the ex-
tent Of the use of the naval vessels, revenue
cutters and supplies under their control on
the Pacific coast
After the resolution had been read Mr.
Kahn said that he had just received a tele-
gram through the War Department to
the eff ect that fifty-four blocks had been
destroyed; that 400 bodies had been placed
in the morgue; that the town of Berkeley
had been demolished; that martial law had
been declared. that the Palace Hotel was
on fire, and the Call, the Examiner and the
Chronicle buildings destroyed.
THE condition OF San Francisco said
Mr.. Kahn. with deep feeling, sis appalling;
and in view Of the facts ] desire to ask i'm
mediate consideration Of this resolution"
The resolution was unanimously adopted
Mr.. Gill of Maryland then on cred the
| folloWinR- whfoh Uaa alan adontad.