The San Francisco call., 1906-05-17
GIVES FULL truth
Of THE SITUATION
IN SAN FRANCISCO
Statement Compiled for Distribution
by the California Promotion
Committee.
Many Thousands of Copies iilI Be
Sent Broadcast by the City's
Business Men.

The following statement giving the
exact conditions in San Francisco, and
compiled by the California Promotion
Committee, will be distributed so as to
reach the largest number of persons
outside of San Francisco. The commit
sands of copies of this statement
which will be furnished to business
men. who will send copies with their
regular mail to all corres pondents:
On April Is, 1906, San Francisco ex-
perienced an earthquake, followed by a
disastrous fire Of four days duration,
which swept over four square miles Of
densely populated area
The earthquake did some damage to
poorly constructed buildings, but it was
demonstrated beyond a doubt that the
modern building of the higher type Is not
affected by seismic disturbance.
The disastrous effects of the fire were
appalling, the loss running into the hun
dreds Of millions of dollars, with insur-
ance of possibly two hundred millions.
All Of these millions and more will seek
reinvestment
Fortunately the water front was not
seriously damaged and the vast shipping
through the finest harbor in the world
was but little disturbed. Many manufac-
turing plants and large section Of the
residence district of the city remained
intact
Within few days after the catastro-
phe street cars were running on several
streets and on Market street as far as
the ferry. This traffic was extended day
by day until now it Is fast approaching
normal conditions.
AT o'clock on the afternoon Of April
Is a citizens committee was organized
for relief and for the regular business Of
the city. This provisional government
by committees worked in admirable har-
mony with the Mayor and Federal au.
thorities and at once developed an or
derly and wonderfully efficient plan of
operation.
The health conditions remained won
derfully good. At no time was an cpl
demio threatened. The loss Of life was
comparatively small, many minor ca
tastrophe in recent history shaving re-
suited much more disastrously in this
respect
Business confidence remained unshak-
en- after the disaster, and the banks all
demonstrated their solidity At no time
was panic threatened. Before the
ashes cooled wholesale and retail trade
was resumed in original places where
the buildings remained and in temporary
structures In cases where the buildings
had been burned.
The people Of San Francisco, million
aires and wage earners, refugees and
householders, showed a spirit of forth
tude and optimism probably unequaled
In the history of the world.
San Francisco is now in course Of re-
construction; the debris Is rapidly being
removed and the hum Of industry has
supplanted the roar Of the flames. The
abiding results of the fire will be wider
streets, more imposing ediflces. larger
parks and a complete flre-fighting sys-
tenn which will utilize the waters of the
ocean. The real estate market weather.
ed the storm and shows great activity.
San Francisco is the city OF opportu-
nifty. The vast fertile country back OF
1t promises the yield Of an exceptionally
good years crop. The chance for busi-
ness investment is magnificent; Eastern
and local money will be poured In freely
while the rebuilding progresses. The
history Of all such events as that which
has just transpired proves that the ultf-
mate result Is a general Improvement in
conditions and vast increase in COM
munity wealth.