REBUILDING THE CITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 29

REBUILDING THE CITY.

WORKS OF ART DESTROYED. THE HALL OF RECORDS SATED. DISTRIBUTING THE POPULATION. OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE REFUSED. INSURANCE LOSSES. NEW YORK, April 22. Steel is to be universally used in the work of the reconstruction of the city, ■which started to-day. The banks will resume business in tents on Wednesday. The art treasures destroyed include F. D. Millet's "Man With the Hoe," belong

• ing to .Mr W . UrocKer ; also works by old < masters exhibited at the Bohemian Club, and -including works by Rembrandt, Diaz, " and Murilo. April 23. General Funston Teports that the fire is not progressing west of Van Ness, avenue. A west wind has arisen, and it is likely that all the city south of Van Ness avenue ■will be destroyed. It is impossible to establish sanitary conditiors immediately. Much sickness is expected. Other reports state that the fire on the water front destroyed many grain sheds before it was stayed, which was done owing to the sea water and th-e efforts of the saiiors. Tne Hall of Records (City Hall) is imharined. Disputes about titles will consequently be avoided. Several men when collecting bodies of women cut off their fingers and pocketed the rings. Those caught in the act were . shot. It is intended to ask Congress for additional relief. Half the population of San Francisco has been distributed elsewhere, and the various towns are vicing with each other in extending hospitality. There is arianiple supply of food and -water for the remaining half. r I The work of sanitation is progressing.. •" Shelters and sleeping quartexs are being erected in the parks. The fire has been extinguished, and only the smoking embers now rejnain. ' An area of 25 square' miles - has been burned. The -most distressing things during .the first few days was the issue of conflicting orders emanating first from the municipal, State, and Federal authorities, but afterwards the officers conferred and agreed that the supplies .for the relief of the sufferers should be placed in the hands of the Federal authorities, and distributed under General Funston's orders. A conspicuous example of the power of 6tee! frame work in modern buildings in withstanding earthquake shocks is afforded by the Call newspaper building, the tallest in the city. This building contains every floor intact, though the interior is greatly damaged. Three office buildings, composed 'entirely of steel, escaped the flames. The business connected with the question of rebuilding the city is being transacted there. The Dolores Mission Church in San FranciscOj which was constructed of adobe bricks in 1776, has survived the earthquake and^ also the fire. President Roosevelt is asking Congress' for an additional vote of 1,500,000 dollars. The statement accompanying the message to Congress shows that the catastrophe is the most appalling in the history of the country. President Roosevelt expresses his deep appreciation of the sympathy prompting the very generous offers oi assistance from individuals abroad, which, nevertheless, have been refused. The refugees tell many tales of horror. In several instances men were pinioned by the wreckage, and upon the flames reaching them they pleaded piteously to be put out j of their misery, asking the soldiers or policemen to shoot them. Other narratives show that citizens who were preparing to flee with their families readily responded to the firemen's requests, lisking their lives in extracting the helpless. Two men were shot in a park for insulting women. Mr William Waldorf Astor has subscribed £20,000 for the relief of the sufferers. LONDON, April 22. The Daily Telegraph states that the shares in 15 British insurance companies depreciated six millions in foui days. The foreign companies will probably be .liable for £10,000,000 in San Francisco. The New York Times estimates the total insurance losses at £50,000.000. I