Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-20
MEASURES OF RELIEF
Energetic Steps Taken by the
Departments.
OFFICIALS HARD AT WORK
Government Special Passes Through
Washington.
MILLION RATIONS EN- ROUTE
Proposed to Put Up Huge Tented
City for the Homeless From
San Francisco.

War Department supplies are rolling
toward San Francisco today from all parts
OF the country. When the disaster news
first came large quantities OF supplies were
ordered TO San Francisco, and the War De-
partment waited for further news. 1t grew
worse and worse. Finally came Funston's
terse telegram that Il: could not be worse"
All reserve was removed at the War De-
partment. Without hesitation orders were
sent to every store station in the country
to send everything in the way of tenting
bed clothing, cots. stores and supplies to
San Francisco by express Vast trains are
on their way now. Maj. Gen. Williams
commanding the Department Of the Column
bia, has, through Gen. Davis, commssary
general OF that department. one special
train already on the way to the doomed
city and another will be leaving today from
Portland Nothing has been left undone by
the War Department officers.
They have worked night and day now,
and will probably continue to do so for
some time longer Brig Gen. Bell, who
only assumed his position as chief of staff
last Monday, has been in the midst of hard
work and has accomplished wonders. No
one will say hereafter that the War De-
partment is cumbersome and so bound up
in red tape that 1t cannot expedite matters.
The officials are greatly pleased with the
work Brig. Gen. Funston ia doing.
Orders have been issued by the War De-
partment to army officers to purchase at
Los Angeles Immediately 100000 ratioTs
and at Seattle 100000 rations and hurry
them to San Francisco.
The department was informed that there
are 10000 rations at the Preside. that
thousands of refugees being sheltered
there, and that the army is feeding them.
One million rations already have been
started TO San Francisco by the depart
ment.
The department this morning received
the following dispatch from Maj DevoI.
superintendent of transport service dated
San Francisco today:
Answering yours am issuing 3O0,CD
common wall tents in store at Preside
storehouse, also 1000 buckets and LOO
blankets. VIII continue Issuing until stock
is exhausted. Lack of water very serious.
Can probably take care of tentage as fast
"a 1t arrives. No stoves needed owing 20
glowing cinderS. Warehouses in some dan
ger at Preside. All storehouses nscity to-
tally destroyed with contents, except
storage of officers effects. Dock and all
transports uninjured. Have moved records
and files to Presidio.'
Efforts of the Medical Corps
The medical departments of the army and
navy are doing everything in their power
to relieve the distress and alleviate the
suffering of the victims of the San Fran
cisco catastrophe. Surgeon Generals
O'Reilly and Rixey are working In har-
mony In this matter. and the army and
navy medical corps are cooperating heart
lily for the general good
Surgeon General O'Reil.y this morning re
CpiVed telegram from I iaut Col Georpp
II. Torney. chief surgeon, Department of
California, dated al Fort Mason, San Fran
cisco. as follows;
Medical supply depot destroyed; total
Nothing can be saved. Nothing can be
purchased here. VIII call on naval au-
thorites for surgical dressings. VIII need
at once $1,000 yards of gauze, 100 pounds
of absorbent cotton and two barrels of
alcohol Every possible arrangement is
being made for the care of the sick. The
division hospital has been erected and the
post hospital has been opened. The diff
Guilty in caring for the sick lies in the
scarcity of water, which is sufficient for
drinking and cooking only"
Gen. O'Reilly said that he had a cousulta-
ton with the surgeon general of the navy
yesterday and arranged for the transfer
of medical supplies from the naval hospital
at Mare Island In case they were called for.
lie said that Col. Torneys application for
supplies had been anticipated and provision
made to forward them as promptly as pos
sible. Telegraphic instructions were sent TO
the officer In charge OF the medical supply
depot at ST. Louis to forward ample medi-
cal supplies to San Francisco with the least
possible delay. These supplies will be sent
by rail as soon as railroad facilities can
be obtained, and will be accompanied by
Lieut. Powell Of the medical department
and d detachment OF Hospital Corps men.
Troops Ordered From Monterey.
At the request Of Gen. Funston. at San
Francisco. Gen. Bell. chief of STAFF. has
sent Geographic orders for two companies
OF the Goth Infantry and one squadron of
the 18th Cavalry at the Preside of Mon
terey 10 proceed at once to San Francisco
for the purpose Of assisting the local au-
thorities in preserving order and protect
ing lives and property. These troops are
subject to the orders of Gen Funston as
acting commander OF the Department of
California. but he could not reach the post
by telegraph and consequently asked that
the orders be forwarded from Washington.
Realizing that the troops stationed at
San Francisco must be well-nigh exhausted
by their arduous. almost continuous, duty
since the earthquake, fighting the fire, pro-
tecting life and property and patrolling
the affected districts the military authori
ties here are arranging to send other
troops from the nearest posts to relieve
them. The troops at Monterey, the
nearest available. were sent first. Others
from Vancouver barracks, Wash, and. II
necessary, from posts I'm other far western
states.
Cooperation of Naval Vessels.
Assistant Secretary Newberry of the
navy today sent the following dispatch TO
the comanding officers of the Boston and
Princeton, which are coaling at San Pedro,
Cal:
Department expects all naval vessels to
cooperate and afford all possible assist
anCe in transportation of stores and med
zeal aid and supplies to San Francisco.
Communicate with mayor OF Los Angeles
before sailing for information relative to
transportation and assistance he may de-
sire IN sending supplies to San Francisco"
Assistant Secretary NewberTy also sent
an order for the naval collier Saturn, which
IL no. at San Diego. to proceed at once to
San Francisco and report to Admiral Good
rich. who is on the Chicago, which is ex-
pected TO arrive in San Francisco today
PYTHIAN BAZAAR A SUCCESS.