Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-21
DISASTER HAS NO PARALLEL
San Francisco Calamity Not Equalled
in Modern Times.

San Francisco's disaster will probably
prove to be without modern parallel In
history. Heretofore the great Chicago nre
has been generally regarded in that light
but a comparison of the facts available
so far tend to show this recent catastrophe
as the most awful visitation of recent
times.
When Chicago was burned in 1870 1t had
n population Of about 100000 San Francis
co at this time must have had 10000 people
in it's gates not counting the thousands
affected in other towns near by. In the
Chicago fire 10000 people were made home
less In the California city, II the esti-
mates are reliable, the NUMBER VIII reach
800, 900
In addition to this. the location and en-
vironment of the two cities were such that
Chicago's problem of what to do with her
homeless was simple In comparison with
that facing the far western city. Chicago
was almost surrounded by open country to
which the people turned for refuge. San
Francisco is practically surrounded by water
the ocean on one side and the bay on
two other sides. Railroads for the most
part sent their passengers into the city
by ferries and many of the docks We're long
ago made helpless by earthquake and ire
So, for the most part, the thousands of
people without shelter had to stay In the
confines between sea and bay and were
confronted with awful possibilities. The
fire rushing along unchecked was pursuing
them relentlessly. Fortunately San Fran
cisco Is a city of hills and on the top of
some of these many refugees found shelter.
The beach. too, offered a spot of compare
tive safety.
But what of the future? No nearby towns
are large enough to lend much aid or give
shelter to the homeless. Oakland, the near
est refuge. just across the bay, has already
been swelled 10 a temporary population OF
nearly 100000, and there is some relief
there. The railroads are damaged by the
earthquake shock as to view any larger
transportation OF food or humans with
doubt.
1t is probable that the exodus already
begun will not last long. but these natural
difficulties of location make the stricken
citys problems tenfold as terrible to face.
The water supply, rendered useless by
broken mains and crippled machinery
through the earth's upheaval. adds terrors.
Fortunately the Spring Valley Water Com
pany promises adequate supply through
, its pipes, which are intact, and the urgent
needs of the refugees viii be abated
The absence of food or means of getting
II VIII be serious. Inside the city one large
bakery at least still stands and this will be
able to turn out fair supply. Last night
It baked 80, oG0 loaSes, but as there are close
on to 100000 people to be fed that is drop
in the bucket. All of the neighboring towns
within a radius of 100 miles which have not
suffered too seriously from the disaster are
| bending their efforts to furnish bread to San
Francisco.
In area covered Dy the disaster and In
probable loss of life and property the San
Francisco catastrophe Is greater than that
of Chicago. The loss of the latter was about
S19o, 100000 and considering that In San
Francisco larger and more costly buildings
were ruined, the probable loss will exceed
even that enormous figure. So far any es-
| tiraete of the loss would be mere guess
work. A half dozen hotels and buildings
| alone would make up several millions and
| the wide sweep of the fire makes It alto
gether probable that all records for dnan-
cial loss will be broken: The loss Of life
during the Chicago fire was 200. No attempt
SO far has been made to give anything
| but guesses at the loss In San Francisco.
Truly. 1t Is disaster without parallel
| in modern history.