Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-03
Relief Works for Weeks.

Secretary Taft, as president of the Ma
uonaI Red Cross, has received two dis
patches under yesterdays date from DR.
Edward t. Devine, the Red Cross agent at
san francisco. In the first of these, Mr.
Devine said:
fully understood that remittance was
neu cross funds. Impossible as vet to
recommend definite plans Stations report
Ieaily near nnree hundred thousand fed yester-
uay nllntary complete taking over control
today under plan of seven selected mill
tary ofhcers and Red Cross chairman: in
each food acquisitions signed by officer Red
Cross 10 coordinate volunteer committee
ana gradually reduce stations. their ap-
pointment made by me sanctioned by may
ors committee. Maj. Febiger, In command
OF mlltary officers, has headquarters with
me, hamilton school; cooperating closely
Tree dispensaries authorized to be opened
for one month supplies from army medical
depot service by finance committee; Pollock
and myself, purchasing agents, think best
10 use quartermasters facilities If possible
Tor purchasing even supplies we order
strong feeling that purchases should be
made, SO far as possible, in this vicinity
Relief work must be continued on present
plan FOR some weeks. We are already MAX
Ing, however, complete central registra-
ton under charge of Prof. Phelan, as basis
for more constructive relief of families
later; free employment bureaus under
charge or state labor commissioner open
and employers. This and substitution of
strict rations will probably reduce able
bodied in food lines. Visited Santa Rosa
Monday; terrible destruction, but at present
little need of relief. Twenty thousand dol
lars In hands OF local committee and prac-
tically nothing spent. Great need will be
in San Francisco, Oakland and immediate
suburbs"
In the second dispatch DIR. Devine said
Finance committee to last night had
received $685., ,492. Accounting and book
keeping system appears to be complete
and satisfactory in charge of competent
firm of local accountants under super
vision Chairman Phelan. Organized with
subscription claims audit and disburse-
ment departments and voucher checks
As soon as possible daily balance sheets
showing amount on hand, receipts ex-
penditures are to be presented to finance
committee. Have asked Herrin, counsel
Southern Pacific and member committee
to give personal assurance in addition to
that of committee and chairman. VIII
communicate again on this point Actual
cash disbursements by committee about
seventy-five thousand dollars to date"
Work of the Army Praised.
Secretary Taft has also received the fol-
Mr.. Jas. d. Phelan, chairman citizens
finance committee of San Francisco:
Telegram May received. Finance COM
and to state that 1t fully understands the
situation with which you were confronted
and your authority In the premises We
have only to renew our thanks for the
prompt manner in which you met our needs
without even waiting for action of Congress
and we plainly see that no disbursement of
funds can be made except through the reg
ular governmental channels. The only ad-
vice we previously received tEa- Congress
had voted large sums of money for San
Francisco, and the impression was abroad
that 1t would be disbursed by local authori-
ties. The army organization under Cen
Greely has given us inestlmable aid, and
have co-operated in syStemattZing the work
of relief We are under great obligations to
the army and desire to express our ac-
acknowledgement. There fs perfect harmony
OF cooperation between the governor, the
MAYOR this committee. the army and the
Red Cross DIR. Devine authorizes me to
refer to his Red Cross dispatch, numbers 13
and H. for information concerning the or
gauization of this committee. We will
communicate with you from time to
time as TO the supplies most needed.
We suggest the fund to be credited with
articles not needed as contain quantities or
tents and blankets, and that 80 far as
practicable, you expend funds IN Cail1ornia
to avoid transportation cost and TO circulate
money where Il is most needed for rehabi-
tation of business. Cash actually ON hand
less nine hundred thousand with drafts IN
process of collection of which we VIII report
ed use of money at earliest possible mo-
ment. Meantime desire to say that we are
entering on period of unprecedented prl-
walton.
Great Reduction In Property Values.
.The assessable value of the city's prop
erty will be reduced about two hundred MIL
lions. and the ability OF the city government
to maintain It's institution viii be corre-
spondingly decreased. Charitable institu-
tions and hospitals. depending upon pri-
vate contributions paid patients and like
sources of revenue. are in absolute need,
and have no endowment, and will be a
charge on us. In many instances their
buildings are destroyed The poor, the old
and the young create dependent class,
which is augmented by the unemployed and
certain classes of persons doing clerical
work and engaged In domestic services
They will have to wait for the restoration
of business houses and homes.
THE city. with all of its agencies, has
been DESTROYED and Its manifold activities
paralyzed BY limiting rations to women