davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02
Family Limited to $3.50

Every move had to be made with the
fact In mind. that when the final ac-
counts were added up the allowance per
family should not be: more than the al
1otted. $3.50. From the start the Asso-
ciated Charities knew that amount
would have to be handled with a sort
of Wall street sagacity. A large part
of the necessary labor was done by the
employed who worked for each other
and under such conditions as the Asso-
ciated Charities could offer, which was
principally getting supplies for. them
selves and families in. exchange for
labor. Then, too, great part of the
work was done by the men and women
who were to occupy the cottag es
There is many little home upon which
the shingles were not laid by an ex-
pert hand, but that matters not.
Plants and vines are kind to slight i'm
projections that come when every man
is his own architect" And the flowers
are so bright that they challenge at
tention and divert criticism. Women
developed remarkable skill as carpen-
ters and saved many a dollar to add
to the furnishing OF our home" Many
of the women also became expert In
Singing. 1t was not an uncommon
thing during the active home making
days to see a woman balanced on a
ladder measuring ano hammering shin
giles, while the "kiddies'' made mud
pies near by. Woman's ability to patch
and mend and cut and saw was the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

families She knows every child in
her jurisdiction by name. She shares
joys and SORROWS with her charges and
makes every home brighter for the
sunshine she brings with her.
II any one has any doubt OF the
significance OF the things done by the
workers for the families, let him
ask to make the rounds with one OF
these brisk young women and see the
welcome that awaits her everywhere.
Children scramble to meet her. tired
mothers look years younger when she
comes. The worker is an arbiter, an
adviser and. in short. something OF
ministering angel
No one expects that every one OF
these people will do all that is hoped
for them and OF them. but the per-
centage of successful cases is going
to be. astonishing, and all because.
after the Associated Charities kept it's
contract with the relief committee. IL
agreed with itself that 1t was going
to continue to help these people-so
new to Responsibilities help them
selves. The world will agree that good
men and women make good homes.
but who has measured the influence
OF comfortable home upon men and
women? Look to the refugee settle
ments for the answer.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

no time handed to the. refugees. Out
side of the fact that the Associated
Charities could make the amount go
three or four times as far as the most
thrifty family, the handling of the
money gave some discretion in its
disbursement and made 1t possible to
provide for many more families. Every
day in the larger economy of the sit
uation. Peter gave. a little to pay Paul
and there was always an interesting
and sometimes intricate balancing of
money and service.
Objections to regulations and the
modus operandi of the Associated
Charities were made by some refugees
who, not having learned to consider
the future, wanted most Of all $50 in
their hands One, scrappy woman who
heard of the definite amount allowed
by the committee went raging to the
headquarters and said:
you did not sped $3.50 on my place.
I demand the difference; it's mine.'
Being gracious and. charitable and
kindly to the last degree to the people
who had some excuse for frazzled
nerves and Ill temper. the Associated
Charities had the accountant look up
the woman's case. =. BY dint OF ex-
change of labor and getting materials
at minimum price, her home had been
put in excellent condition for .s149.40.
To her utter discontinue she scanned
the account and In confusion took the
60 cents difference.
Some of the new homes are made up
of two cottages and some of three. the
cottages varying in size, some contain
ing two. others three rooms. They
were arranged in an inconceivable
number of ways. Some were placed 10
feet or more apart and a room was
built between them: Others were placed
at right angles, making desirable L,
sometimes one on each side; the posi-
ton of others allowed for q side as well
as front porch. In some cases the
little green shacks were placed one on
top of another. making two story
houses; In other. cases they were raised
SO that q cellar might add something
to the comfort of living. Bay windows
were built out and easements opened
attractively to the sun and air.
One house is made up of two shacks
and kiosk buttermilk stand that
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

"prettier inside than out" tell so we'll
the meaning of one phase of the home
making under the supervision OF the As
ISOLATED Charities. The immediate fam
lily to be housed in this case was the
invalid husband and his wife, both past
early middle life, people who before
the calamity had been self-supporting,
but VINO could not get started again.
Every day was taking them farther
away from self-dependence when they
came under the Jurisdiction of the As
soeiated Charities. They had seemed
destined to become the unhappy charges
of oyerburdened relatives who were
making their OWN fight unaided. If the
husband had not been stricken after the
fire the story. would have been differ
ept. AS 1t was this couple got. their
share of cottages and help.
The sons who could not have taken
the full burden of the care Of their
parents: are paying the monthly in
staliments on the property. Besides
raising. vegetables. the mother does
washing and so provides subsistence.
BY this arrangement the sons are en-
abled to take care of their own fami-
lies and this old couple are living out
their lives helpfully and practically
independent, so neither the state nor
individuals have them as burdens, as
lHSy eWO0Iu nave bCCn ny ACd-
son of their age their losses and their
infirmities.
One of the most significant cases
handled was that of an Italian family.
decent but inept. Before the fire this
household. whether in sickness or in
health, was always asking aid OF the
Charities. Now they have a house made
up of two refugee shacks and a Team
to-" Growing vegetables I'LL the yard.
with the exception of a small space
given over to flowers. With a horse
and a wagon the father and son gather
wood and sell it. A little land, some
help and an opportunity have. taken
this family from the list OF charity
charges. Many a story akin to this
could be told of the reformation OF the
shiftless and unfortunate families
which, through the relief money and
the good Judgment and tact OF the AS
ISOLATED Charities have become prop
erty owners.
On the side OF hill, and quite alone,
stands one of the most interesting of
the refugee cottage transformations.
Additions have been built. the place
has been made unusually substantial
throughout. comfortable within and at
tractivs outside. But much more In
the way OF beauty and convenience
has been planned for this cote. There
Is always ladder on the outside. Just
ut present Il Is leaning against q porch
that In going to be as large az q room.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

taste. The house has many hooks and
corners for beauty and convenience; It
has been furnished with nice attention
to comfort and harmony. If there were
a prize for the most ingenious combine
ton of variety of materials this house
would win it.
While I was scrutinizing one Of the
new homes, searching in vain for a
trace of the well known refugee shack,
the owner said proudly:
MY house is much prettier inside;
come in and see." And she told me
the story of her new home while her
paralyzed husband near by added a
word of praise and thankfulness oc-
casionally being hopeful that he would
soon again be able to do his part.
His wife and others listening knew
that the paralysis, while not complete.
had not shown any Improvement for
many months.
See my parlor,". this good German
woman said with pride. There it was.
bright with color and adorned with the
family portraits, saved at the time Of
the fire and without doubt carried la
boriously many miles to safety. In all
probability no one used this little place
set apart for the conventions, for adj
joining 1t was most comfortable COM
bination. dining and sitting room OPEN
Ing TO d sue POICil tuot iidu oCcu illdoG
by q right angle arrangement of the
shacks. But 1t did not matter; she was
happy in the possession of it: Her
Kitchen. that for compactness and clean
illness would have matched that OF n
ship, was duly presented. Throughout
the house the walls were cieerfully
papered. the carpets were gay. potted
plants were in the windows. Outside
the prospect was equally pleasing. A
other story.
81 raise all the potatoes and otner
vegetables my husband and I use," And
this. let 1t be remembered, was on the
back Of city lot. Not only was this
thrift found at the home of the good
German woman, but almost everywhere.
Wherever possible the Associated Char
tiles encourage this lesson of independ-
ence, incidentally getting the people to
learn the miracle of the soil.
The conditions obtaining for the Ger
man woman whose home was even
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02
THE JTORY OF THE FIRST OF
THREE NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT BY
THE ADVOCATED cHARITlEr

NFER new born San Francisco
some splendid influences have:
been brOOding, and because of
them there are annals startIingIy tan
gible to record. Ii has been saved
from the tenement evil that seemed for
time to be an inevitable part of re.
construction. The delinquent and de.
pendent children are getting the care
that will mean wholesome lives and
desirable citizenship for them instead
OF threatened vagrancy. The new dis
penSatiOn stands also for adequate re-
lief in cases of distress, and it is bring
ing about a campaign for the relief
and cure of tuberculosis.
Back of these efforts and accom-
plishmentS stands the Associated
Charities, bringing TO the task COM
mon sense, scientific knowledge and
unremitting energy. Never seeking
commentator, and almost shrinking
from publicity, directors and workers.
have gone steadily forward, until now
the progress made in many directions.
for the lasting good of the community
comes as a distinct surprise. -
What has been done and how? What
must be done and howl will be the
subject of three papers, The Call de-
string to set this important movement
fairly before the people. The first
will deal with the carefully considered
action that saved the poorer people
from tenements and put them in:
homes; the second. with the closing
Of the San Francisco founding asylum
and the disposition of the deserted.
neglected and generally unfortunate
babies and larger children of the city;
the third, with the significant move
mentS for the care and prevention OF
tuberculosis and the general questiOT
Of adequate relief for the poor an.
sick.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

and carried long distances to heights
and depths. The movers became most
ingenious. They seemed to- defy the
laws of gravitation, handling leaden
loads like feathers. Photographs of
this part Of the work are among the
amusing records preserved. Every ono
remembers the days when the streets
were filed with the green cottages be-
ing bumped along over the pavements
on trucks drawn by sturdy horses. It
is easy: to recall, also, that in the door
way of many Of these shacks men and
women were sitting complacently, be-
ing moved with their houses. Few
realized the full significance of this
pilgrimage Many of the houses were
the property of refugees who could al
ford TO buy and remodel them, but the
majority were destined to be homes for
families that had been dependents only
too long.
One of the first elements of success
in this home making campaign lay in
the fact that during the time the ref
ugees lived under relief conditions they
saved money. Many paid rent accord
ing to the terms of occupancy made
with the committee, but when it was
shown later that they were DESTROYS
of having homes Of their own the rent
money was refunded. This enabled
them to make first payments of 500 to
$3.50 on building lots. Terms were ar
ranged by which the remainder of the
cost price is being met by installments
of SIS a month. or as much more as the
family can afford and yet meet current
living expenses. In every case the bur-
den is fitted to the back that had to
bear it. There were no hard and fast
rules
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

came too late for vender to use. An
excellent arrangement was made Of
these fundamentals and little additions
here and there were deftfy made. The
house was well shingled and holes for
windows were cut, A few ornamental
oval windows were contributed by a
friend having something to do with
mill. and easement windows with loaded
glass were obtained by member of the
family who worked in an art glass fac
tory. The placing of these accessories
was done with. discretion and good
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

all busy painting out every vestige OF
green, the color that made the refugee
settlements look like a lot Of orphan
children. all dressed alike. other than
this green. there has been a perfect
riot of color used in decorating and
furnishing the houses. In some places
blue and even pink have been used as
decoration for the house trimmings,
but never green. That would be the
worst of form.
The refugees who had not been in
any measure thrifty after the calam-
ity and who could not make even
small payment on a lot or guarantees
to keep up the monthly obligation had
to be helped in a different day. A ma
jority of them were placed in a camp
where they pay ground rent Among
this aggregation are some who are
learning their lessons a little late. but
by the time their leases are over they.
too, will have something to invest in
homes. In the present arrangement
= the Associated Charities has provided
pipes, baths, one set for every three
families, but where families are striv-
ing to improve their condition and
claim greater privacy they are helped
to that end Flowers and vines add
much to the contentment of the people
living in these camps One settlement
on Point LObOs road looks as IL a lot
of people were adding their best en-
deavors to that of the Associated
Charities. Even in these camps where
the houses are OF necessity crowded
the health of the children as well as
that of the grown people is surpris-
ingly good. The houses are small. so
they are out of doors most OF the
time. Even though the conditions in
these camps are far from ideal, they
are Infinitely better than the best tene-
ment could be.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

were was TO them mot "a matter of
conjecture. To these: Informed officials
no refugee dared tell: any of the fairy
stories current after the fire--of laces.
affiuence and heirlooms. With this
background of exact Knowledge the
workers of the Associated Charities
were equipped to do the greatest good
for the greatest number.
The first step in this big scheme
was TO find out exactly the real es-
tate situation, to: ascertain to a GER
tainty the rent schedules. The knowl-
edge this gained proved beyond ques-
ton that the refugees could not af-
ford the rents demanded even under
the most favorable conditions The ma
jorfty of the people under con-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

Total appropriation received from Red
Cross for housing .-..-..............S59 $50. $50. Z
Total amount expended December I,
1908 ....................... IS. $685.;
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02
By Anna Pratt Simpson

wisdom. kindness and
determination San Francisco has
been saved from the horrors Of
the tenement evil-a fate fore
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

kind that made the shingles 90 In
orderly fashion.
The Associated Charities could do
much better for these people than they
estate men and those who had wares to
sell could make more satisfactory
terms with the organization that
could give wholesale orders than with
the individual who needed but one lot
a few bundles OF shingles and every
thing in proportion.
!. The possible $3.50 a family was at
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02
Results in Figures

When the practical part OF the hous-
ing work was finished, the following
interesting report was submitted:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02

Total amount expended. ...~..
Total number cottages 1900. .703
Average expense per cot
tage .-....-s-. SiS.oO 20
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-15
Telegraphic Brevities

ADMIRAL LANBERoN BLND-Washington,
June 14.-Rear Admiral Benjamin Pfener Lamb
eron. who served chief Of staf to Dewey at
the battle OF Manila bay. has gone blind.
OVER ONE HUNDRED AaREsTs-Monte
Mex. June 14.-More than 100 arrests have been
Flores law office few days ago by Juan Fer
rino.
PASSENGERS FROM WRECKED STEAMER.
Gibraltar June 1.-THE steamer Princess Irene.
cunard liner Salvonia on board came into Glib
raltsr this afternoon
AMERICAN WOMAN GETS DIvoRCE-Lon-
don, June l4.-Rosamond Chetwynd daughter
Of the late Charles Seeor of, New York. was to-
day granted a divorce from George Guy Chef
wynd the ground of misconduct.
RAILROAD CONCESSIONS GRANTED-Doue-
las. Ariz., June 14.-The Mexican government
has granted concessions TO the Cananea Consoii-
dated copper company. operating at Cananea.
state of Sonora, for railroad 10 a point on the
Mexican Central railroad in the state Of Chi
huahua.
RIBLE TO BE ARRAIGNED-Palo Alto. June
1.-THE arraignment of Thomas r. Rfble
charged with the murder of Frank McCleave
has been set for tomorrow morning before Justice
Charles. Local interest is greatly aroused over
the case. both OF the men were prominent in
the labor world.
PRINCETON CLASS DAY-Prnceton N. J..
June 4.-Sunny weather enabled Princeton TO
class Of 1869 replaced the stone which, com
mencement day OF 1859. IL placed in the old
chapel and which was lost in the removal Of
that structure.
TWO MILLIONS FOR JAPAN-New York.
June 1.-THE United States subtreaswy in New
York today transferred $2,2J0,00o 70 San Fran
cisco for the Yokohama specie hank. The trans
fer is understood to represent the payment of an
equal amount Of gold taken from the San Fran
cisco mint for the account Of the Bank Of Japan.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-15
DONKEY TAUGHT TO KICK
SPOILS POSSIBLE SALE
BILLY" Gets Cue Words and
Gusts Two StabIemen

SAN RAFAEL, June 14.-Taught to
kick when addressed by the words
Whoa. Billy a trick donkey belong
ing to Frank de Sousa of the Elite
theater gave an innocent exhibition
in the livery stable of Neil McPhail
here today, which resulted in Tom Bue-
ker, a stable hand, being kicked out
of the STALL and Sam Smith, a pros
pective buyer, also receiving a sudden
and painful attack from the little ami
mails hoofs.
When De Sousa placed the donkey
In the stable of McPhail he neglected
to inform the stablemen of the cue
which starts the kicking, but all went
well until today. when Sam Smith, a
local horse dealer. called at the stable
with the intention of buying the
animal.
"oh. yes, he is very gentle" said
into the donkey's stall.
Billy" replied the stableman, and then
he earelessly placed his hand on the
donkey's back, and patting him, said:
Whoa Billy
The fusillade of hoofs that followed
took both men literally off their feet
and sent them tumbling out of the
stall to the floor of the stable. Bueker
was struck both in the chest and the
back, and Smith received kicks in vari-
Gus places.
Neither of the men was seriously
hurt, but although the reason for the
donkey's performance was explained to
Smith,. he could not be persuaded to
purchase the accomplished litlle beast.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-15
FRED cox, BASEBALL MAN
AND HEIR TO ESTATE, DIES
Grandson of Wealthy Land
Owner and Recently Married

SACRAMENTO, June 14.-F'red Cox,
grandson of the late Fred Cox of
Cox & Clark, wealthy land owners and
stock raisers of California. died sud-
denly this morning at his home in Sac
ramento He had been ailing for a
week, but his condition was not con-
sidered serious.
His mother is the wife of George w.
Peltier of the California state bank and
president of the State bankers asso-
citation. Cox was baseball player of
note, and played this season for the
Santa Cruz team of the State league.
He was the heir of a large estate.
Young Coxs father was Frank job
son OF San Jose, well known singer
a the time of his marriage. Mrs. job
son afterward obtained a divorce and
her son was adopted by her father.
She afterward married Peltier.
He was married but a few months
ago to Miss Sue Pierson, daughter of
]. c. Pierson, resident engineer of the
Western Pacific railroad. He was about
80 years of age.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-15
SANTA FE MAY INVADE
OAKLAND WATER FRONT
Purchase of Property Near Els.
tuary Attributed to Railroad

OAKLAND, June 1.-THE sale OF
several pieces of property in the sec
ton of the city on the north arm of the
estuary. bordered by Alice. Second and
Third streets, during the last week To
a purchaser who has thus far concealed
his identity has given rise to run1or
that the Santa Fe railroad is preparinp 5,
to establish terminal on the Oakland
forcement of the Wright-Hepburn act
which prohibits the railroads from
handling manufacturers products from
private switches in less than carload
lots has made 1t imperative for the
Santa Fe to have freight headoua ~ ars
closer to the commercial centers.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-15
DESERTED GIRL
TELLS HER STORY
Irene Alderton Returns Home
and Puts New Light on
Treatment


REDDING, June 14-When Irene
Alderton returned to this city today
from Oakland. where she had gone last
week, in company with Charles Evans
with the avowed purpose of being mar
ried to him. she was disposed to make
light of her intended marriage. She
said early this morning that she in
tended to marry the Kenneth engineer
but changed her mind when they
reached Oakland.
He changed so when we reached
Oakland" said Miss Alderton. that
he was an entirely different fellow than
he was when / knew him up here If
the police wanted him so badly they
could easily have found him, for he was
working as motorman on one of the
streetcar lines.
HE never had my money and he did
not make off with my trunk and suit
case, for | have them now. The story
about our registering at the Athens
hotel as man and wife is all a lie.
Il shall try to get work in Redding.
I do not love Charlie any more for
think he has treated me shamefully."