USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > San Francisco, a history of the Pacific coast metropolis, Volume II > Part 54
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The making of a newspaper involves something else than the use of machinery, but plenty of the latter is indispensable to the production of a daily journal, and it was fortunate for San Francisco that it was obtainable, and promptly placed at the disposition of the publishers who transferred their organizations to the other side of the bay where they at once began their function of furnishing news and providing information which enables the members of the peoples of the higher complex organization known as a city to pursue their varied occupations intelli- gently. Never in the history of journalism was there a more signal exhibition of Vol. II-24
The Spread of the Flames
Uplift Work of the Daily Press
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the important part played by the press than that witnessed in the days immedi- ately following the conflagration. On the morning of the nineteenth when the joint production of the "Call-Examiner-Chronicle" reached San Francisco it was received with an eagerness which told of the hunger for news, and on the next and on the following days it began to be looked upon, perhaps unconsciously, as the means of unraveling the tangles which the calamity had introduced and on Saturday morning it was turned to for comforting assurances. The fires were still burning-at midnight of that day the coal bunkers near the Ferry building broke into flames-when the "Chronicle" under a flaring head declared "San Francisco will rise from the ashes a greater and more beautiful city than ever," and its contemporary, the "Examiner," took an equally optimistic view of the situation. The editors were not indulging in vain boasts; they may have felt it incumbent upon them to say something cheering, but they were only giving expres- sion to the spirit of those who had taken up the work of restoration while the ashes were still hot, and putting on record high resolves which were realized later. Their most effective work, however, was that devoted to reassembling the dispersed people and assisting in the effort to set the wheels of industry in motion. A regis- tration bureau had been established as early as the second day of the fire which did most effective service, but the chief accomplishment in the way of reassembling was performed by the newspapers, whose columns were utilized for many days to bring employer and employed together so that the ordinary avocations of the people might be resumed as speedily as possible.
One of the most striking features of the deliberations of the Committee of Fifty was the sensitiveness exhibited concerning the matter of dependence. Con- tributions of money and provisions were flowing in upon the stricken people in such abundance it was feared that the knowledge of the excessive generosity might prove a drawback to exertion, and that the disposition to rely upon charity might be engendered. But this feeling speedily disappeared. Before the disaster was a week old the columns of the daily papers were teeming with announcements indicating that the calamity had produced no such effect as Buckle had assumed must necessarily result from seismic experiences. Instead of evidence of enerva- tion there were exhibitions of virility, and every line breathed a sturdy determi- nation to at once repair the injuries and restore the fortunes of the City. The sub- committees of the Committee of Fifty had not been given names which breathed the spirit of prevision merely to make a fine appearance in print; they were chosen advisedly, and were lived up to with energy, and promptitude. But while coop- eration was accomplishing much, individual initiative was not lacking, and curiously enough, despite the effective organization of the citizens it mapped out the course which was successfully followed in reestablishing the industries of the City. The fire was still burning when sagacious business men began to seek places to estab- lish themselves on Fillmore street. That thoroughfare had for some years main- tained a number of small shops of the neighborhood variety. Before the close of the week several firms that had formerly done a prosperous business in the down town district had secured quarters on this street, recognizing that for the time being it would be the center of activity. Their judgment was not misplaced. Fillmore street retained the preeminence it attained on the 19th of April, 1906, for nearly three years, and received such an impetus that it has since maintained its prestige as an important crosstown thoroughfare.
Fillmore Street Be- comes Center of Business Activity
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The meetings of the Committee of Fifty, which occurred daily in the main hall, were presided over by Eugene Schmitz, the mayor, and were remarkable in many particulars, but the dominant note of the deliberations was intense practi- cality. There was a wealth of suggestion, but it was unaccompanied by displays of the sort indulged in by visionaries. The gravity of the situation was not mini- mized, and there were no Utopian dreamers ready to proclaim that the impossible would be accomplished. It was recognized on every hand that the causes that had contributed to the growth of the City and its upbuilding still existed, and that by well directed efforts they could be made to do the work of rebuilding. The main committee was chiefly occupied with the latter problem; the subcommittees, and the host of volunteers, were ceaselessly busy in performing the tasks they had taken upon themselves: of feeding the hungry, attending to the injured and the sick, and housing the homeless, and wonders were performed. On the day follow- ing the shock Governor Pardee had declared Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the 19th, 20th and 21st of April, legal holidays, and on the concluding day of the three he proclaimed their continuation for 30 days beginning with the en- suing Monday. This device enabled the financial interests to deal with the difficult problem confronting them, and played an important part in the work of successfully adjusting the monetary affairs of the community. The insurance situation was in a measure cleared up by a statement of Commissioner Myron Wolf, which was published on Friday morning, April 20th, virtually to the effect that losses would be paid, the reasons assigned for his assurance were in the main those which sub- sequently obtained in the determination of contested and uncontested cases. On Saturday the postoffice resumed the delivery of mails, and was greatly assisted in its work by the registration bureau which had been established on Friday and became a clearing house for those who had temporarily ceased to have ad- dresses. The postoffice, although through the energetic efforts of its employes it had been saved from destruction by fire, was in the heart of the burned district, and almost inaccessible because of the debris littered streets, and the absence of tran- sit facilities, but the carriers managed to get out with their burdens which soon attained extraordinary proportions.
The resumption of communication with the outside world had an uplifting effect which can only be comprehended by those who had passed through the agony of deprivation. At no time was the City completely sundered from the rest of mankind, but during the days of the conflagration the ordinary facilities had all vanished, and others had to be hastily improvised. Intelligence of the disaster had been sent out, and there were terrible exaggerations for which there is no way of accounting. Even the conservative reports of the calamity which were meant to be reassuring were misleading, and statements were printed abroad which were purely imaginative. In the Parisian journals a graphic description of the engulfing of the City by a tidal wave was printed, and some of the stories in the Eastern press were only a degree less startling. The result of these exag- gerations was a flood of telegrams dispatched by anxious relatives and friends to San Franciscans from all parts of the globe. The demands made upon the facili- ties of the telegraph companies overtaxed them, and their offices were loaded up with messages which had to be delivered by the slower process of the mail. The consequences were extremely distressing, as the failure to receive prompt replies conveyed the impression that the persons unheard from were victims of the calamity.
Activities of the Commit- tee of Fifty
Grossly Exaggerated Reports Printed in the East
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Great Re- jolcing Over Resumption of Street Car Travel
The most heartening occurrence of the week of the conflagration was the appearance on Fillmore street of the trolley cars of the United Railroads. This took place on Saturday evening and resulted in a demonstration rarely surpassed in earnestness. Along the entire line the first car was hailed with enthusiastic cheers which were an expression of the instinctive recognition that the two widely separated residential districts that had escaped the flames were now bound together. The resumption of passenger traffic was regarded as a harbinger of the swift re- sumption of travel on all the lines of the City, and the rejoicing was general. There was one discordant voice, however, and it professed to derive its inspiration from fear of possible evil results. Rudolph Spreckels in the Committee of Fifty endeavored to place obstacles in the way of immediate resumption of street car travel urging that there was danger in permitting the cars to run, as it was pos- sible that the electricity employed as a motive power might start new fires. He offered no evidence to support his assumption that the poles and wires had not been properly looked after, while Thornwall Mullally, representing the United Railroads and a member of the Committee of Fifty, gave that body detailed as- surances that every foot of the line had been carefully gone over, and that it was perfectly safe. The objections of Spreckels were regarded by many as not being wholly disinterested, the disagreement between the interest he represented and the United Railroads being known to most of those assembled and fresh in their minds.
Overhead Trolley Permitted on Market Street
It is not improbable that the opposition to permitting the United Railroads to take prompt steps to rehabilitate its properties was due to knowledge of a step contemplated by Schmitz which he took on the succeeding Monday when he issued an announcement to the effect that the United Railroads would be permitted to operate its lines on Market street with the overhead trolley. It was doubtful whether those who heard of the intended action of the mayor gave much attention to its significance or interested themselves in the fact that it paved the way to the settlement of a controversy which had been a bitter one before the fire, but had by no means become one of the sort which induces the whole community to take sides. The papers had opposed the introduction of the trolley, some on esthetic grounds, and others because they assumed that the presence of overhead wires would increase the difficulties of dealing with fires. It was generally recognized, however, that the contention was largely due to the fact that there was a fight between two contending parties. The overhead trolley had been effectively used on other streets where it might fairly be claimed that the danger was greater than on Market street, and no evil results had followed. There were no dissensions as yet between the United Railroads and its employes, and trades union opinion was neutral. So on the whole, when Schmitz' announcement was made it was hailed with satisfaction because it promised to bring about a speedy accomplish- ment of a very desirable result, that of providing connection between the ferry depot and those portions of the City which had escaped the flames.
Popular Approval of Trolley Permit
There was a hint of irregularity in the action of the mayor, and the subsequent scandal which the transaction occasioned was in a measure foreshadowed; but if public approbation of an improper course could be pleaded in condonation Schmitz would have to be dealt with leniently. Whether the people generally had an idea that there was a corrupt bargain involved in the transaction it would be impossible to state. To a certain extent every act of the administration was under suspicion
HOFFMAN CAFE"
IND 3AVH
-
AL FRESCO KITCHEN, AFTER THE FIRE OF 1906
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prior to April 18th, and the cynical were in the habit of observing that Ruef and Schmitz were not in office "for their health." But on this occasion those to whom their propensities were known were disposed to refrain from comment. The step taken was so evidently for the general good, and the desirability of securing the reestablishment of communication between all parts of the City was so ob- trusively apparent, the possibility of "a hold up" did not suggest itself. The time was not yet ripe for protest. The people were too completely absorbed in the immediate present to review the past or contemplate the future. They had just received with equanimity an order which practically authorized the killing of a suspect on sight, and were not in a condition to properly consider questions of municipal government, or in fact to find fault with any movement which even re- motely suggested an alleviation of the existing condition.
Much has been written about the summary dispensation with the regular forms of government during the Vigilante episode, but no departure made on that occa- sion can be compared with the expedients resorted to during a few days after April 18th to preserve the peace and protect property. The assumption of abso- lute authority by the mayor, and its delegation to others on the first day have been related, and the prompt participation of the military in the work of policing the City has been referred to earlier in this chapter. At no time despite the infor- mality and overlapping of authority was there any clash. The inadequacy of the existing police force was tacitly recognized, and the aid of the regulars and citi- zens' auxiliary police was welcomed. There was some chafing over the strict- ness with which orderes were enforced by the United States troops, but the people who were fortunate enough to have saved their homes quickly comprehended the reason for their enforcement, and with few exceptions complied with the rigorous requirements of no lights or fires which was maintained for several days. Man is an adaptive animal and soon learns to conform when the demand for obedience is imperative. The habit of going to bed in the dark was speedily acquired, and the transference of the operations of the kitchen to the street was accomplished without demur. This latter inconvenience was protracted longer than necessary, and had connected with it a scandal. Although the city officials had abandoned their authority without protest in the darkest hours of trouble, they speedily asserted themselves as soon as there was an approach to complete order, and one of their first acts was to establish an inspection bureau concerning whose ineffi- ciency and worse there was much complaint. The regulation concerning fires was made necessary because of the uncertainty of the condition of the chimneys, many of which were shaken down and broken. It was charged that the inspection of chimneys was entrusted to men who immediately resumed the practices which the fire had temporarily interrupted, and that in order to secure expedition it was necessary to grease the palms of venal inspectors in addition to paying extor- tionate prices to masons for having repairs made.
These were minor troubles however, and are not to be compared with those endured by the great numbers who were forced to flee to the open places. These were soon provided with tents, but before all were thus sheltered a rain storm was experienced which produced a great deal of discomfort and created the fear that it might have an injurious effect on the general health. This apprehension was not realized, and owing to the strict enforcement of sanitary regulations, there was at no time during the enforced outdoor life of so large a part of the com-
Corrupt Practices of Chimney Inspectors
Takiog Care of the Home- less and Feeding the Hungry
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munity any outbreak of disease calculated to alarm. The zeal of the medical fra- ternity, and their untiring exertions to impress upon the people the danger of carelessness, aided by the good sense of the people themselves, must be credited with this gratifying exemption. One of the greatest causes of fear was the failure of the water supply in many parts of the districts which escaped the flames. At no time was there a famine imminent; water for drinking and cooking purposes was available even in sections where the scarcity was greatest; but it became necessary to conserve the supply in the city reservoirs and this compelled the disuse of water closets and the bath. Domiciliary visits were made during a period after the order was given to refrain from their use, and it was found that there were few attempts at evasion. The water problem proved a more pressing one at first than that of provisioning the people suddenly cut off from their usual sources of maintenance. While the conflagration was still raging the thoughtful neighbor, and the outside world generally with a generosity and sympathy unpar- alleled in human history, were flooding the City with supplies of all kinds. The quantity and miscellaneous character of the contributions were so great, that the best possible judgment was required to effect their proper distribution, but the subcommittee in charge of this work was equal to its self-imposed task and exe- cuted its duties so efficiently that at no time was there any serious cause for dis- satisfaction, and when any was expressed it was usually by those least entitled to complain.
Although the San Francisco morning papers promptly resumed their work of disseminating information the tangled ends of the disaster were slowly unraveled. On the second day of the fire the desirability of presenting an accurate record of a calamity which was regarded as unprecedented, was recognized by the crea- tion of a committee to whom was relegated the duty of assembling authentic in- formation with the view of embodying it in an historical narrative. Meantime the daily journals began the work in a desultory manner, but even an earthquake and a half billion dollar fire soon ceases to be an absorbing subject, and the work of assembling data and of making minute investigations was turned over to of- ficial and semi-official bodies. These latter gathered from many sources facts but vaguely understood and but little considered during the pressing period when the morrow was the main consideration. Few of the immediate observers of the tragic events realized the extent of the loss of life and damage to property. The wildest rumors circulated unchallenged during the first few days. These were all carefully sifted, and the facts ascertained whenever possible by examining credible witnesses. The inquiries developed that there had been gross exaggera- tions in almost every particular, and that the most of the alarming stories respect- ing criminal practices were figments of the imagination, and many of them of the sort which advertised their own falsity. From these examinations the people of San Francisco derived their knowledge of the full extent of the disaster and were enabled to revise their opinions which in many instances needed correction. The work of the United States geological survey was particularly useful as it tended to confirm the impression derived from superficial observation that no mat- ter how severe an earthquake might visit the City, buildings could be constructed that would resist its effects, and that the real disaster was that which resulted from the inadequacy of the water system. The observations and inquiries of the
Gathering Historical and Other Data
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survey were supplemented by those of the citizens' committee, the latter devoting itself more especially to the statistical phases.
The area of the burned district was ascertained to be 2,593 acres representing 490 city blocks wholly, and 32 partly destroyed. In this great expanse of ter- ritory was embraced 314 acres of the congested district on which there was in- surance to the amount of $250,000,000, but the value of the property consumed was at least double that covered by insurance. The number of buildings burned according to the report of the subcommittee to the committee on reconstruction, was 28,188, of which 24,671 were wooden frame, 3,168 brick, classed as B and C, 259 of brick and wood, 42 class A fireproof, 15 stone and 33 corrugated iron. These figures were derived by the city engineer from a study of the real estate block books. He estimated the burned area to be 4.7 square miles, comprising 521 city blocks, within which, however, there were thirteen blocks saved. This differs from the statement of the underwriters, but the disparity is due to the latter counting groups of buildings as one. The figures of the subcommittee were finally recognized as correct. The destroyed buildings had been assessed prior to the fire at $52,504,240, perhaps half their value. In addition to the structures com- ing under the notice of the assessor there were 39 churches and buildings classed as church property and unassessable; also municipal buildings and those used for library purposes, such as the Academy of Sciences, etc., which were also exempt from taxation. It is estimated that the stocks of goods and other contents of the buildings consumed must have been equal in value to the structures containing them.
Within the burned district 13 blocks were saved. These contained 283 wooden, 13 brick class B and C, 4 brick and wood and 3 iron frame buildings. The notable escapes were masonry warehouses and wooden buildings on Telegraph Hill and at its base covering about 11 blocks bounded by Kearny, Lombard, Mont- gomery, Chestnut, the Seawall, Filbert, Sansome, Green and Montgomery and Filbert to Kearny. These were saved chiefly by means of water pumped by tugs from the bay, and by the pumps of the cold storage plant. Nearly two complete blocks on Russian hill were saved by using the water in a service reservoir and their comparative isolation. The United States custom house and the block imme- diately west were saved, and also three brick buildings on the north and one on the south side of the next block. The Montgomery block, one of the early build- ings of the City, escaped, as did also the structures on the east side of Guerrero street near Ridley. The United States mint was saved by the aid of its well and pump, and the exertions of employes. The postoffice on Mission street es- caped through like efforts. The mint and postoffice were stone structures and the latter was a modern building. They were, as is the practice of the government, separated from adjoining buildings by open spaces, a fact which contributed to their salvation. It was estimated by the citizens' committee that the fire front extended over a distance of 49,305 feet or 9.34 miles, and the following were ascertained to be the exterior boundaries of the burned area. "The water front of the bay from Townsend to Taylor street, thence obliquely and along interven- ing streets southwesterly to Van Ness avenue and Filbert; thence along Van Ness to Clay, along Clay to Franklin, along Franklin to Sutter, and thence to Van Ness, along Van Ness to Golden Gate to Fell, along Fell and Oak to Gough and Market, out Market, south side to Ridley, Ridley to Dolores, Dolores to Twen-
Area of the Burned District
Notable Escapes from the Flames
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tieth, Twentieth to Valencia, obliquely across blocks and streets to Howard and Eighteenth, along Howard to Fifteenth, obliquely across blocks and intervening streets to Bryant and Eighth, along Eighth to Townsend and thence to the bay." These far reaching boundaries as above stated represented a length on the land side described as the fire front, of 9.34 miles, and along the water front of 1.80 miles, or a total of 11.14 miles. The fact that there were 527 unburned buildings, of which 506 were wood, 18 brick, 1 stone, 1 adobe and 1 corrugated iron, immediately confronting the fire line is commented upon, and as bearing on the discussion of the value of wide streets it was pointed out that of the fire line frontage of 49,305 feet only 9,540 was on wide streets, and the remainder on the ordinary narrow streets, from which the inference was drawn that wide thoroughfares do not seriously impede the progress of a great conflagration. This committee made earnest efforts to discover the extent of loss of life resorting to every conceivable method to get accurate information. They found that the cor- oner's office was able to account for 315 killed, 6 shot for crime and I killed by mistake. The number reported missing or unaccounted for was 352. It is pos- sible that this latter number embraces several who fled from the City and failed to acquaint their friends with the fact that they had escaped, while on the other hand it is not improbable that several persons may have perished through ina- bility to escape from the flames, and whose disappearance because of their friend- lessness or other causes was unnoted.
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