GREATER SAN FRANCISCO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13325, 3 November 1906, Page 3

GREATER SAN FRANCISCO.

[FROM OT'R OWN" CORRESPONDENT.]** The Coroner's report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1906, shows a total of 2195 deaths in the city and county of San Francisco. These are subdivided under different (leadings, and the earthquake and fire of last April are credited with 1163 fatalities. It had become common to refer to a loss of about 500 souls in this connection, but the stem figures of ■ tIW Coroner show the number to exceed 1000. During the month of September men working amid the ruins of a building in tho burned district found the remains of over 20 human beings. As the work of reconstruction proceeds, additional mute evidence will be furnished of the heavy visitation by death. It will be impossible to supply exact particulars of the loss of life from April 18 to 20, in San Francisco, but there is no doubt that, were it possible to be accurate, fully 1500 people died as the result of tho catastrophe. The Bulletin of Progress, issued by tho California Promotion Committee, states that September has been a notable month in the recovery from the effects of the big tire, and also in tho progress of the State in all industrial and commercial lines. All the railroads entering California report that both colonist and tourist traffic has increased enormously. The labour supply is still inadequate to meet the demand far skilled and unskilled work. The Sonoma brought from Australia about 50 building artisans. One of tho local papers referred to them as welcome additions to San Francisco The city's population is about at a stand-. still, owing to luck of housing facilities. Estimates based on computations of military authorities place it at 370,000. Every school building is crowded to its capacity, the enrolment being 29,803. It is estimated that -with proper facilities there would ho at, least 15,000 more Of the 208,000,000 dollars insurance on property in San Francisco destroyed by lire, 150,000,000 dollars have been paid to policy-holders. A summary of building operations and tank clearings for September will prove interesting. There were 1050' building permits issued, valued at 5.902,000 dollars; building contracts recorded. 316, value 3.252,090.70 dollars; real estate transfers 1045; bank clearings, 198,712,503.47 dollars; September, 1905. 168,329,716.22 dollars ; per cent, increase, 18.04; per. mits tor permanent buildings, 607; total permits for permanent buildings to date, 1318; number of men doing construction work, 35,000; average number of cars of debris removed daily, 125. ' The Secretary for War, has granted five permits to deposit debris into the bav in specified areas, near the entrance. This action will relieve the situation somewhat, for it had long been a problem to expeditiously dispose of the thousands of tons.of tangled iron and refuse left by the flames. The penalty for depositing anywhere else m the bay is a fine of 2500 dollars, and imprisonment from two to five years. Contractors now have facilities for the removal of 5000 cubic yards of debris a day. The total outgo up to this time has not. exceeded 625,000 cubic yards, which is considerably less than one-tenth of the estimated total amount of debris to be removed. * A previous letter referred to the contemplated expenditure of 3,000,000 dollars for reconstructing the famous Pa lace Hotel. This amount has been increased to 5,000.000 dollars, and the work of teaming down the walls has commenced. In the years to come the. visitor to the metropolis by the Golden Gate will see a* replica of the old-time hostelry' in appearance, though actually a. superior structure from every standpoint. Though the Palace was erected in the seventies, . such good work was done by the brick masons that the earthquake did little or no damage, while many of the so-called modern buildings suffered severely. ':*'-'.f', t _ The dead of San Francisco are buried in the adjoining county of Sari Mateo. ['Since the earthquake -the number of interments has decreased about 50 per cent. While the city has lost in population, yet the decrease is not sufficient to account for the low death-rate. Strange to relate, there has been no epidemic among those forced to live in the relief camps. On the contrary, the authorities believe that tent life, with its regularity and nearness to Nature, is responsible for the excellent health of the inhabitants. Before the calamity, an average of over 700 burial permits was issued by the health officer of San Mateo Comity for San Francisco's dead. In September there were only 418 burials for the two counties. One of those distressing incidents common to human life occurred during September. The wealthy citizens residing near ■ one or two of the small parks vigorously objeted to the erection of temporary houses for those now living under canvas," despite the fact that it was agreed that within one year the squares would be cleared, and the, near approach of winter rendered imperative a change of quarters. The objectors wanted the refugees housed on vacant land some distance out of town. By adopting this plan, the well-to-do would be saved some slight inconvenience, and would once more feast their eye 3 on lawns and flowers. The authoritiies are at present debating what to do. The refugees have petitioned to be permitted to stay where they are. The street car accidents have shocked thft city. Scores of people have been killed and injured of late. The equipment is-in-sufficient to stand the strain. There is need of mechanics to place the cars in first-class condition, and, more important than all, cars to handle the traffic. Men hang on by their eyebrows, as the expression goes. In several instances the motormen were so hedged in by passengers that they found it impossible to work the brakes, and collisions resulted in death and injury. , The papers are clamouring for an improved service, arid the public is appalled at the situation. There are fully 30,000 people residing in the temporary camps and in .shacks. In a' warehouse are supplies sufficient to last all winter. In the east and in other parts of: the United States are several millions of, dollars awaiting final disposition for the relief of earthquake and fire sufferers. Representatives of those in charge of this vastsum have visited San Francisco to satisfy themselves that the money is needed, and; that the relief corporation is judiciouslv [■ spending the cash in hand. While there have been some clashes concerning detail matters, yet there is entire satisfaction that the citizens of San Francisco have bravely met a difficult task to the best advantage of all concerned. As soon as the money in other hands is turned over. to the local', authorities it will be possible to proceed with the work of relief. It is likely that the care of the refugees and destitute will be turned over to the regular charitable institutions of the city, with a special advisory committee to assist in the extra work. One idea of this is to simplify matters, another is to endeavour to revive the old conditions, and restore San Francisco fo her former position as rapidly as possible. There are over 6000 temporary houses in course of erection, though the work is handicapped for want of building material and mechanics. These houses are flimsy affairs, and there is little doubt that much suffering will result from the winter rains, for many will be unable to locate homes. The increase in rents continues, and it is almost impossible foi men of average salaries to meet the prohibitive rates demanded by grasping landlords....v.. Despite the gloom of earthquake, fire and suffering San Francisco is. discussing the advisability of holding a great exposition in 1911. What better evidence could be adduced' of the spirit of- the cituzens-the ' mastery over adverse conditions.'