Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-19


Grand Secretary Johnston will consult dur
ing the day with Grand Master Walter A
Brown as to the practical measures Tor
relief that will be adopted as soon as
telegraphic communication is re-establish-
ed and the needs of the fraternity In the
stricken city can be ascertained.
Busy Most Of. the Night.
The authorities at the War Department
We're actively carrying on the work this
morning which had kept some of the Of
ncals up most of the night. with the OBJ
1ect In view of getting prompt relief to the
sufferers from the earthquake In the
stricken city of San Francisco. Secretary
Taft's great anxiety is~~to get food into
San Francisco at the earliest moment The
orders sent during the night are being sup
plenented by others today. The revenue
cutter service has placed at the disposal
of the War Department vessel with
which to carry supplies from Portland.
Ore and Vancouver Barracks to San Fran
cisco The officials are making every pos
sible effort to get provisions and tents INTO
the city before distress may come TO the
sufferers. Secretary TAFT was up late CIV
ing instructions, while Gen. Bell. chief OF
staff. and Quartermaster General Hum
phrey and Commissary General Sharp got
but little sleep as they were executing the
orders OF the Secretary, and taking the
steps necessary to get tents and provisions
on the way TO San Francisco
Tents are being rushed from Phlladelp hia
large number of tents available at any
other depot, but the large supply available
in Philadelphia will be sent west by ex-
press Instructions have been sent to Port
land and Seattle TO buy rations in the o en-
market and hurry them TO the stricken city.
The railroads are badly shaken up rear
San Francisco. but as railroad transporta-
ton from Portland to San Francisco is 50
much more speedy than by water the War
Department will probably ship supplies by
rail, in the hope of saving time.
Proposed Camp Of Refuge.
Commissary General Sharpe said this
morning that he Is advised the supplies can
be shipped by rail to a point within thirty
miles OF San Francisco. and he is of the
opinion that it is better to send them there.
where a camp for refugees can be estab-
nshed. as all the persons In need of supplies
cannot remain in the stricken city.
Orders have been issued for the pur chase
81 full rations Candies VIII be Included In
the supplies. on account of the lack of
lighting facilities in San Francisco and the
surrounding country. Bacon. rice. coffee.
sugar. beans and peas will form the greater
part of the supplies to be sent
The Preside and other army posts near
San Francisco have only limited amount
OF supplies on hand, as a post seldom keeps
more than provisions enough for two
months at most Consequently the govern
nent cannot rely on these supplies to az
ford more than emergency relief to the
thousands In need of food
Omaha, St Louis and other western mar
kets will he drawn on to supply the imme-
diate demands of the sufferers, as II Is not
thought advisable to exhaust the limited
supplies at western army posts when the
amount Of rations they could afford would
fall far short of meeting the immediate
needs of the homeless San Franciscars.
Question of Transportation.
1t Is believed by the War Department Of
fcials that railway communication with
San Francisco will be re-establtshed with
out delay and they hope 10 be able to get
their provisions into the city as soon as
they reach there from Portland and the
other cities where purchasing agents are
Instructed 10 buy Immediately.
The Department of Commerce and Labor
will lend all possible aid to the San Fran
cisco sufferers so far as it's facilities ex-
tend In dispatches to the lighthouse IN
spector at San Francisco and to the Of
fcials of the fish commission Secretary
Metcalf has directed the lighthouse tender
Madrone and the L. S s. Albatross to go at
once to the stricken city and do everything
practicable 20 aid the sufferers.
Transfer of Money.
The Secretary of the Treasury has au-
thorized the Geographic transfer of s1o-
OOoOOo from the subtreasury at New York
70 San Francisco The cash viii be de-
posted in New York and Immediately paid
out on the order of San Francisco banks
entitled to the San1c..,.-