New-York tribune., 1906-05-06
ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
San Francisco ReUivimg Praise for
the Military.

Oakland. Cal, May 4-The aftermath Of the
earthquake and the fire has absorbed the atten-
ton Of every one in San Francisco and through
out the Pacific Coast. In Los Angeles, which is
five hundred miles away and which has always
regarded San Francisco as a rival, no one has
done any real business since the disaster Mer-
chants, professional men and others united to
raise relief funds and to devise means for
building the city by the Golden Gate; Los An
geles sent up several big relief trains, one being
a unique kitchen train Of fifteen cars, with chefs
and appliances for furnishing meals to several
thousand people. and the smaller cities Of
California and other states have been even more
generous than has Los Angeles. Marysville. which
is the leading city Of Yuba County, and which
received liberal aid from San Francisco twenty
five years ago when great food swept the city,
has actually contributed enough to represent
So for every man. woman and child In the town.
Santa Barbara and San Diego have also con-
tributed amounts that seem extraordinary when
the sizes of those places are considered. In
addition to aid from this coast gifts of money.
clothing and food have poured in from the East.
The relief work here has been handled with
rare executive ability. General Funston has
shown the same administrative capacity here in
handling the thousands Of refugees and in pre-
serving order in San Francisco that he displayed
in the Philippines Every one has united in
praising Funston's promptness in ordering out
the regulars half hour after the earthquake
and thus saving the big banks and business
houses from the !ootng which would have been
inevitable had only the police been left to cope
with the situation In relief work Funston has
also shown remarkable energy. He has cut red
tape wherever he has encountered 1t, and in this
he has been ably seconded by his officers. 1t
is safe to say that the uniform Of the regular
soldier has gained prestige on the whole coast
by the ability. good sense and selfsfontrol Of
Uncle Sans private soldiers as well as officers
Correspondents Of Eastern newspapers who
have come out here since the disaster have ex-
pressed their amazement over the cheerfulness
and pluck OF the San Franciscans in face of
their crushing losses On ferryboats and cars
and in all public places San Franciscans hailed
each other toked about their losses, cursed the
stupidity OF the militia that resulted in spread
ing the fire by black powder and dynamite, and
grew enthusiastic over the beautiful city which
would replace the well beloved town that had
gone up IN smoke. Instead of tears and lamen-
tations these strangers found the courage, en-
terprise and keen sense of humor that marked
the early argOnauts, who never knew when they
were defeated, and hence accomplished SEEM
ingly impossible things. The same miracle will
be seen In San Francisco. because OF the energy
and courage OF the San Franciscans Of the pres
ent day. Only the recently imported Eastern
man talks OF selling out and leaving the city.
All the old residents declare that they Will re-
build as speedily as possible, and meanwhile
they are keeping the wires hot ordering steel
and other material and In urging Eastern manu-
facturers to give them preference in their time
OF need. Amid such intense energy and such
buoyant enthusiasm there is no place for
/ lamentation.
The relief work IL now carefully organized
throughout the city. and all refugees are well
taken care Of. There are seven main supply
stations where food. bedding and clothing arc
] passed out unaqubteely TIA most gaysteuass,o-