Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-05
GEN. GREELY TALKS OF
SAN FRANCISCO CONDITIONS
DENIES STORIES OF A GREAT
EXODUS
Commander Of United States Troops
at Northern City During Exciting
Days Following Disaster Says Five
Years Will Show Great Recovery

General A. w. Greedy, commander ol
the United States troops which were In
charge of San Francisco during the
earthquake and fire, was visitor In
Los Angeles yesterday on his way to
San Diego. For the past few days
| Genral Greedy has been on an inspec-
ton tour in the Yosemite. During his
brief stay In Los Angeles yesterday he
was n guest at the Van Nuys. He was
accompanied by Mrs. Greely.
General Greely, in discussing the con-
ditions in San Francisco, said that re-
ports regarding the number of inhabi-
tants who left the stricken city during
the fire were much exaggerated, and
that at no time were there more than
100000 out of the city. Many of those
who left came back Immediately.
THE present population of San Fran
cisco is about 375,0O0,' said General
Greely. There are today $4,000 persons
at the different camps. This does not
mean the reservations, but in all parts
of the city. Perhaps 5000 more are liv-
| ing in shacks in all parts of the city.
, Conservative estimates place the
number rendered homeless by the fire
and earthquake at about one-quarter OF
a million. The death list does not ex-
ceed 1000.
THE earthquake and fire was tre-
mendous disaster. Actually seeing 1t
can alone give anyone the slightest
conception of it. On the first of May
1880 persons were fed. Statistics for
the following ten days were about
250,000 daily. At the present time only
about one-third of the campers are be-
ing fed by the relief committee The
rest are taking care of themselves.
Goes to San Diego
| ie M o,,aet;o,, about tto va
building of San Francisco. We esti-
mate that it will take about five years
to get back to where we were. Every
| body is optimistic and there is a marked
spirit of enterprise and desire to clear
away the wreckage that is strewn for
miles. Anyone who saw San Francisco
on the afternoon of April 20 and who
could see 1t today would be surprised at
! the great amount of work that has
| been done in the clearing away Of the
debris.
Work is by no means an impossible
thing to be had in San Francisco Ev-
erybody that wants 1t can get it. The
classes that suffered most by the dis
aster were the proprietors, clerks and
other employees of the big stores. II
was those who catered to luxury that
| sustained the severest blows. Restaur-
ants have been permitted to serve
! liquors with their meals during the past
ten days and saloons will be opened to-
morrow. Previoups to the permission
given the restaurants liquors were OBJ
tainable only In the clubs.
San Francisco is now in charge oi
the civil authorities. The city was
turned over to them last week and the
federal troops were withdrawn. Foul
camps are at present on the govern
ment reservation and which the army
controls
General Greedy spent the few hours
he was in Los Angeles visiting his
friend, Major Ben G. Truman. Mrs
| Greely and Mrs. Truman drove about
the city in the fashionable residence
district. The visitors left on the 13O
O'Clock train for San Diego. They will
return to Los Angeles Monday after
| noon.