The Florida star., 1909-10-08
PIais For
her Festival.


This twentieth century miracle has
fairly startled Europe. where the
course OF life runs slower than IN this
country and the people are not accus-
toned 70 the marvels Of American en-
ergy and skill Charles G. Moore, for
mer president Of the San Francisco
chamber OF commerce, went abroad as
an emissary of the Portola festival
armed with credentials from the state
department at Washington. In every
capital his arrival awakened intense
interest, and throngs crowded to see
the photographs that showed the re-
habilitation OF the city. The great Eu-
ropean powers were only too glad to
participate in the Portola festival. Be
sides warships, each ruler win be rep
resented by an emissary, who will
convey to the people Of San Francisco
his sovereign's appreciation of their
labors.
In the latter part Of April, 1906, San
FranciseO's business, manufacturing
and industrial sections were but men,
Ories. They were deserted save by
lonely sentries and skulking ghouls;
they were silent save for the mufled
roar OF falling walls.
Three thousand acres Of the business
center Of the city had been scourged
by fre while the world looked on
aghast Twenty-eight thousand build
ings had been destroyed, and the loss
reached the appalling total Of $780,
100000. Hundreds Of thousands were
homeless. There were no churches,
schools or other public buildings. Ses-
sions Of the courts had to be held In
sembled their flock in squares and
parks. The money, bonds and securi-
ties Of the inhabitants were In vaults
and safes buried deep in the ruins
There were no stocks Of merchandise
because there were no stores; there
were no stores because there were no
buildings. The work of years had been
swept away In a day, and thousands
lost everything except the clothes on
their backs.
Yet hardly had the smoke cleared
away and even before the ruins had
cooled the work Of rebuilding the city
had begun. With the indomitable spirit
Of their forefathers San Frapciscans
buckled down to their task. Mani
cured aristOcrat and horny handed son
Of toll sweated and strained at the
task Of moving the debris. Railroad
tracks were laid along the streets to
facilitate the work Of clearing the
ruins. The city's inhabitants swarmed
like ants over the mountains Of twist
ed steel and demolished masonry. BY
day and by night the work went on.
Masons worked by electric light, and
even In the midnight the sounds OF
changing steel and the pulsations OF
the riveter reSOunded throughout the
city. In forty months the city has re-
built itself out Of itself. The building
permits show that structures have
been erected costing more than $780,
100000 In excess Of the total value Of
the buildings destroyed In the great
fire.
In October the visitors TO San Fran
cisco at the time Of the POrtOla festi-
val will be greeted by miles Of streets
gorgeously decorated and glowing with
myriads Of electric lights. He will
see the thoroughfares lined with hand
some buildings representing the height
Of architectural skill. Speedy electric
cars will whisk him about from place
to place. He will be housed In the
most modern hotels with every con-
venience and luxury at his call. He
will be the guest at their revels Of the
city's inhabitants to whom the great
fire Is fast becoming only a memory
The new hotels Of San Francisco have