The San Francisco call., 1908-03-21

"HE plain facts about what the
people of San Francisco have
done in less than two years since
the earthquake and fire, which to-
gether destroyed 2S.00O buildings, are
simply beyond comprehension among
the people Of the east. The damage by
the earthquake was less than per
the fire which succeeded the earthquake
that caused the awful havoc.
There were $4,000 buildings destroyed,
worth in the aggregate $105. 600, 900.
In spite of labor troubles and cloud
of all kinds of difficulties which would
have daunted the people OF most cities.
San Francisco within the short period
OF 22 months since the disaster has
erected or is now completing 10000 new
buildings, worth s111, 000. 900 That is
to say, these new structures represent
$6,000,000 more than the original loss
and yet only $4,000, 900 OF the capital
necessary for this gigantic work Of up
building came from outside OF San
Francisco
What is equally significant. these
10000 buildings have more floor and
room space for business purposes than
the $4,000 that were destroyed This
serves to show the larger and better
lines on which the new city has been
and is being rebuilt.
The general business conditions IN
San Francisco have, Of course, been
affected more or less by the recent
panic, as they have everywhere else.
1t is barely possible that in the new
buildings the builders have provided
for too many offices for the immediate
need. but the same thing has hap
pened in Boston, New York and other
cities. In the process of time the de-
mand will certainly equal the supply.
MEETING A GREAT EMERGENCY
1t is very gratifying TO the people
of the whole country to see the splen-
did manner in which the men of san
Francisco have come to the front and
met one of the greatest emergencies
any community has ever been called
upon to face.
The city has always been known as
one OF the richest in the world It sits
where the ships of all countries must
ind port of entrance to the United
States on the Pacific coast. Not only
the welfare of California, but the well
fare OF every state fronting on the
western ocean requires that San Fran
cisco should be rebuilt in order to take
care of this vast commerce which nat
urally centerS here. II is at once the
portland the metropolis of our great
western empire. producing yearly more
than S200.000.OO0 in agricultural crops
and s65,000.000 in metals. TO say moth
ing of the products of still other in
dustries which contribute to the wealth
Of the Pacific slope.
The Eank clearances OF San Francisco
showed a remarkable increase last year
over former years The resources of
the national banks OF the city are $685.
900, and those of the savings banks
ars Sf63. 100000. while the deposits in
the commercial banks amount to more
than $4,000. 600. For a city the size
of San Francisco. which, il is believed
has larger population today than it
had before the fire. these figures are
certainly impressive and give a good
idea of the immense wealth and the
natural resources of the city.
GENERAL HOUSE CLEANING
Whatever ma% be the result of the
recent municipal troubles. San Fran
cisco now has an honest mayor and
intelligent board of supervisors. whose
integrity is unquestioned and the
awakened interest of the solid men OF
the city in public affairs gives the as
surance of square deal in all civic
matters.
/. Another subject that has been much