Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-18

s w Wednesday, AHhlI
mfttee room. down the corridors. over the
Evesyvhsre Il vas rece,y ved WITH snDres-
sfons Of horror. pity and of hope that later
reports would show that the nrst and most
appalling newa had been exaggerated Ses-
members and witnesses discussed the tid-
| fnEs. Representatives went about tho
House wing making anxious inquiries Of
COLLEAGUES The press gallery was beseis-
ton from the stricken city.
Representative Kahn OF California was
almost Frustrated by the news, Although
his wife is now living on Webster street
OF the danger zone the representative de-
rives but little comfort from this fact. for
Mrs. Kahn gave birth to baby boy only
day before yesterday. and her husband
fears the effect upon her. In her weakened
condition. of the news Of the appalling ca
tastfophe.
Immediately on hearing the nrst and
necessarily Incomplete report OF the dir
aster Mr.. Kahn hurried upstairs to the
Offices Of the Postal and Western Union
Telegraph companies In the press galleries
to try and learn something more OF the
earthquake and the damage It had caused,
and to ascertain II there was any chance
OF getting message through to San Fran
cisco. But he was told that there was only
one line out Of the city Of San Francisco
and that there was very heavy and prac-
tcally Indefinite delay on all messages
destined for that city. Mr.. Kahn. genial.
good well beloved by colleagues
and friends. had tho heartfelt sympathies
of all who knew that his wife and son and
baby boy were living In San Francisco on
this Hateful morning.
Representative Gillett, another member OF
the California delegation. has two dauga-
ters now living in the state. but one OF
them IL attending Palo Alto University and
the other = a pupil at Mills College, ana
consequently they should be, respectively,
fifteen and thirty miles from the zone.
But Representative Gillett Is worrying just
the same, and win continue to do SO until
ha hears definitely that his children are
safe.
Representative Lacey of Iowa. chairman
| OF the House committee on public lands
has married daughter, Mrs. J. B. Brew
ster, living at the st. Nicholas Hotel In
San Francisco. According to reports, this
structure is in the danger zone.
Representative Smith of California Is In
better case. for Mrs. Smith only left for
her California home last Monday, and con-
seQuently has not yet had time to reach
the city Of San Francisco. The other Cali
lcIna representatives are worrying also,
but their families are believed not to be in
the city of San Francisco. Mr.. Mckinley .
nome Is at Santa Rosa: Mr.. Knowland lives
=. oakiand. and Mr. Hayes at San Jose.
Messrs Needham and McLacklan do not
oeiieve that any OF the members OF their
fagnilfes were In the city when the catas-
trophe occurred this morning.
Anxious for His Brother.
James, F. English. one of tho House
minority special employees. has brother in
san Francisco about whose safety he is
greatly concerned. A large part of his
anxiety is due to the fact that his brother
lives with his family near the danger zone
and Is employed in the district that SUI
fered most severely his hours being from
IL pm. to am. As the earthquake oc-
fears that his brother was right in the CEN
ter Of the destroyed district
+. I. Mitchell, one of the democratic cloak
room attendants, has his family in San
francisco not far from the zone of greatest
destruction. His wife has been in delicate
health for some months.
Senator Flint's Anxiety,
Senator Flint, whose home is In Los An
geies, CAL. eagerly sought news of the
great calamity In his state today. He was
at the Capitol early. but at noon had heard
nothing except that which had been fur
nished in the extra Star and by the press
Senate and House OF Representatives all
available bulletins as they were received
Mr.. Flint's family Is now in Los Angeles
and while he felt today that he would prob
ably receive favorable news he was evident
ly distressed over the uncertainty concern-
ing his relatives. In addition to his concern
for the people OF San Francisco who have
evidently suffered most from the earth
quake Speaking Of the fire in San Fran
cisco. he said: -
If they could only get water there would
be little doubt about getting the fire under
control. The town is built of red wood
and it takes up water like sponge
When water Is thrown on frame build
ing. and the residence part of San Fran
cisco Is built Of frame, the entire outer
structure becomes saturated so that 1t is
proof against fire.
But our water works in San Francisco
are located where they might readily be
destroyed by such a calamity as this Thew
are ON high hill back of the town, and
II the pipes leading to the city have been
badly broken so that they cannot readily
pc repaired the town Is at the mercy OF
the flames.
But I do not like to comment on the
situation In California, as I realize that
the news that has reached us is necessarily
vague and the condition may be very Diff
ferent from what we fear"
Both Chaplains Refer to It.
the San Francisco disaster was the pre-
vailing topic at the Capitol today. In his
opening prayer in the Senate Chaplain Ed
ward Everett Hale made reference to the
San Francisco disaster without mentioning
1t by name. Beginning by quoting the text
COO is our refuge and strength very
present help in trouble" he continued:
We seek Thee In our calamity as we
have sought Thee in our triumphs. Draw
near to the people Of this nation In the
midst of great calamity. Thou wilt over
see US; Thou wilt help us. and we come
to Thee for help. for Thy wisdom In our
terror. to ask for Thy guide. Teach US to
know that brothers can help brothers, and
that each can help all-that we are all
brothers in one family"
Legislation seemed to be pushed far In
the background when the House met the
only subject of discussion being the awful
ness Of the calamity in San Francisco.
Rev. John Van Schaick. IT., of the Univer-
saliist Church Of Our Father of this city
offlciated as chaplain and devoted the
prayer to the great calamity.
He said: 1--WE pray Thee. Oh God that
Thou wilt send Thy spirit OF sympathy
and of love and of comfort to that section
of our country visited by sudden calamity
and affliction. To every one that is bowed
down with anxiety We pray Thee that Thou
wilt give the spirit of assurance and trust
md ant baf bpv We nd all