Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-04-24
FOOD IN PLENTY. SHELTER
Generous Contributions From All
Sections Being Received--= --=Many
Sad Tales of the Disaster.

san Francisco. April 23.-The new
San Francisco that will rise from the
ashes Of the old today was in its first
stages of rebuilding. After After five
days of confusion and almost super
human effort on the part Of the citi-
zens Of Cllifornia's metropolis in the
great task of sheltering. feeding and
otherwise caring for the homeless thou
sands, complete order has been estab
lished and attention turned to the fu-
ture.
Through the great business quarter
Whcr. the devastation ~ fire Was the
most complete. dangerous wills V"r"
razed. buildings that had not D"en dis
integratcd by fire We're inspected vita
a view Of rc-occupancv and ground
was cleared for the Immediate con-
struction Of buildings in which TO re-
sumo business at the earliest possible
time.
Confidence has been restored. The as
surance OF insurance companies. the
measures taken by the financial inst!-
tuiions. the prompt ana reassuring
words that have reached the business
men If san Francisco from Eastern H.
nancial centers-all these things have
dspelled the feeling Of uncertainty.
Tho generally encouraging situation
Temporarily suffered setback early
today because Of a chilling rain which
fell in the late hours Of last night and
during the forenoon on the thousands
protected only by canvas coverings and
even less impervious shelteringS. While
the rain caused considerable suffering
for the time being conditions were
quickly improved by the prompt ac-
tiun of every relief committee as well
as b. volunteer acts of househOlders.
Homeless persons We're fed today in
q systematic manner. on the water
front whore the boatlOads of provi-
siona docked. there was an endless pro-
ccsSion of carts and drays carrying
food to scores of Sub-StationS eStab-
lished throughout the city and parks.
At these stations food and drink COM
prising bread. prepared meats and
canned goods, milk and n limited
amount Of hot coffee and even fruit
were served to all those who applied.
About 1900 tons of provisions are
moved daily from the water front.
Large supplies of blankets. tenting
and other material, to provide cover
ings FIR those who have been scantily
supplied. are reaching the supply sta
tionS rapidly. Barracks have been
compl. ted at several points and in
these many people have found comfort
and shelter against the inclemencieS of
the weather. The situation in the con-
gested camps, such as Golden Gate
Park, and the various public squares
throughout the city has been consider
ably relieved by the departure of many
people for points on the other side of
the bay. While the number of people
leaving the city is nothing like the vast
crowds that packed the ferry building
during the first two days following the
earthquake. the number was sufficient
~ large to satisfy the relief committee
that lis task will become less difficult
from day to day.
General health conditions are salts
factory. while the number of cases at
the various hospitals has increased
each day sickness is mostly due to eX-
losure and worry. The most encour-
aging feature is the absence Of any
thing like contagiOn or IN epidemic or
disease of any nature whatever. The
somew hat unsatisfactory sanitary ar
fangemcntS in the various camps, the
lack of variety in diet and the exposed
situation of SO many people necessarily
develops ailments: and in some places
there have been few cases Of such
diseases measles and chic<anpnx.
but probably not more than would de-
Vel"p under ordinary circumstances in
large city. The primary causes If
diseases are removed as fast as posi-
bic.
.,f
the federal troops at this post super
seding Gen. Frederick Funston, VIII"
Will act under Greelys orders. Gen.
Greely has established headquarters ut
Fort Mason, just east of the Preside
reservation of San Francisco Bay.
Mayor SchmitZ today issued proc
lamation announcing that all persons
regularly employed in the work or