The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1906-04-20
SAN FRANCISCO'S DlSAST

earthquake at San Francisco. As the
details accumulate the public may
learn that the loss of life is quite as
appalling and the destruction Of prop
erty greater. There are number OF
cities near San Francisco that are vet
to be heard from, anu the ominous
hints OF the telegraph must occasion
uneasiness. Oakland, Berkeley, Ala
media and other cities are directly
across the bay, and appeals have been
made from Berkeley, the university
town of California. Sacramento felt
the force of the shock, but does not
seem to have been much damaged. 1t
was severe along the foothills and over
the ridge in Nevada, but, as that Sec
tion is sparseIy settled, the fatalities
may not have been great.
San Francisco seems To have been
the center OF the shock, and, Unlike
previous earthquakes, it chose the
south of the city for its devastation.
The massive structures built in the
heart OF the old business district for
the purpose of resisting seismic con-
vuisons do not appear to have been
touched, and the wealthy residential
part of the town, on the heights over
looking the water, was apparently free
from the catastrophe. Much of the
city most largely affected is of recent
construction, and it is even possible
that, had not the horror of fire been
added, the catastrophe, though great,
would have been kept within linn its.
The district principally shaken is dot
ted irregularly with big buildings,
some of which collapsed, and in burn
ing set fire to many houses. The sud-
den cutting off OF the water through
the action of the earthquake made IL
impossible to check the fires, and the
people were face to face with the direst
disaster which can confront a CON-
munity.
Earthquakes appear to move in a
narrow groove, though their line OF
direction is almost unlimited. While
the track of the Southern Pacific Rail-
road was ebliterated for miles. and
Berkeley, close to the road, was in
volved in the shock, it seems to have
crossed the bay and to have spent its
main force on the south side Of Mar
ket street, thereby avoiding large
cities almost contig uous to its line of
action, and allowing the two wealthiest
parts of San Francisco to escape. The
fire, coming as an accessory, will prob
ably be accountable for the larger part
of the damage. The burning Of the
Palace Hotel would involve the Grand,
the Lick, and possibly the majority Of
buildings on Montgomery and the
cross streets, but with a conhagration
as fierce as that of 1904 in this city it
would damage them immensely. With
favorable wind it could easily make
its way to Kearney street, and the en-
tire city would be in danger.
Earthquakes have been common in
San Francisco, more common than
elsewhere on the globe, but, with the
rarest exceptions, they have been
slight, and there has always been a
disposition among the people to speak
of them with pride, as one Of the won
ders of the city. One or two shocks
Of greater severity than usual have
created temporary reversion OF this
careless sentiment and caused the
erection OF the massive earthquake.
proof structures in the business part
of the city. The shock Was 80 tremen-
dous that it is not probable these
buildings would have been left stand
ing if directly in it's path. This path
seemed to be narrow, though very
long. It may extend as far as Mount
Vesuvius, and there may be more to
come in other directions, though it 10
scarcely necessary to GO outside Of
California t. explain an earthquake.
That there will be profound .ympa-
thy tor the people OF San Francisco
goes without saying. Ful Of dash,
enterprise and patriotism, they have
been utterly cast down in a moment of
time, killed and MANNED and crushed
and left stranded in sight OF the wrecks
of their homes and undertakings, they
deserve in no ordinary degree the
voice of sympathy and the touch OF
encouragement. They will need help
in caring for the destitute and build
ing up the waste places, and they are
the kind of people who never turn
deaf ear to the pleadngs of distress
Balttmore american.
Il is not expected that Senator
German will be well enough to return
to the Senate in time to vote on the
railroad bill. Senator German Tues