SAN FRANCISCO TO-DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1944, 28 November 1906, Page 4

SAN FRANCISCO TO-DAY.

A CARNIVAL OF CRIME. Tho following from the N Z Hernia's correspondent gives a furthor «P’'' n,,t , on of cablegrams published ou Monday morniog : S:m Francis Co. Od- 27California's leads, g city has sullied grievously sinco the fateful day of April, bus probably the reign of terror and crime o( the paa month has proved tho bitterest portion of her cup of sorrow. To s:o Ban Ftaneisoj shaken by uuseon power, and ibfu to witness tho destruction by hro ct her business FC-otion, appalled the inhabitants. History baa shown that courage undsuntod will overcome tbtae obstacles. It was surm .f 1 that labor troubles would follow tho heavy iic ease in rente and living expenses demanded by rnpaoious landlords nod the " b'g men.” Such proved to be the cate. Though prepared for almost anything, the cit'zacs stand aghast at the carnival of crime. The iu« flax of nn undesirable element was suddoD. Attracted by high wages, tho certainty of employment, and the luting advertisements of employers, thousands of men have eta'ticd in San Fraooieoo from points far and near. Undoubtedly some of those arrivals were licking in tho elements of good citizenship, and is is equally true that scores of criminals lock upon the tioubled motrooolis as their Mecca. Sinos tho first day of August there have been nearly ICO crimes committed within the confines of Sun Francisco cf tba type known as “bo'dups.” To gain wealth, sovoral murderers have felled victims. In tho middle of a beautiful day on a crowded street, robbers entered a japanoao batik, killed the manner and

truck the cashier a blow that t early ended bis life, end then escaped in a buggy with several thousand dollars. Tradesmen have bee-u inutdcrcd in their own stores while wailing on imaginary cuetomois.j. fi-tfi tub ct we spa rf fit "UleV o° & ssauft n~ though she revolver i 3 etil !he fayorite of the high wHytnan engaged in relieving Iho cif z n cf h*s va'uab'es.

Mass meetings lmvc denounced tho condition of affairs, but these gatherings have

been so honeycombed with that banc of American life —political influence - that not much good has resulted. Tho police stand charged with efficiency. Tho police commissioners, custodians of public peace, are spending valuable time issuing saloon licenses, overlooking the fact- that the

burned district is covered with drinkshops, and that a large percentage of crime has been directly associated with these places. But we must have revenue. Out of the darkness appear rays of light.

Tho great body of citizens in every community stands for the right against the wrong, when awakened to the necessity of a determined front. Two or three million-

aires have provided funds for special prosecution of municipal corruption. It is asserted that valuable franchises have been sold by the supervisors for bribe money, that graft is in evidence ou every hand, that laws legal and moral —have been violated with impunity, and that the distressing civic conditions arc the direct result of wrong-doing and incompetency in public life. Mayor E. ID. Sclnnitz is touring Europe to gain municipal knowledge. The “ boss ” of San Francisco, Abe Ruef, is in the saddle Francis J- Henry, tho prosecutor who broke up the notorious land ring in Oregon, at the instance of President Roosevelt, is securing evidence to place Schmitz, Euef, and some of the supervisors behind the bars. It is claimed that enough evidence is in Henry’s possession to do this, but that remains to bo seen.

San Franeieco i 3 anxiously waiting tho outcome. Bbo has toon men develop suddoa wealth after becoming supervisor-!. So strong litiu been the ory of “ graft,” and the premised disclosures so starling, that Oich day is awaited with expcotßnoy. Typhoid fever is olaiming victimn, while far from epidemio, but the health authorities ore straining ovory nerve to check the ravages of this ally of impuro water end conditions, Tho calamity left in its wake a dampgfd sower system, and tho drinking water is net good. It is marvellous that more have not succumbed to fever.

A ohnngo was made in tho personnel of the Board of Public Works, afier months of criticism at tho condition of the streets. Tho new president advertised for 10C0 m.'D, at 250 dollars a day of eight hours, to o ear Iho streets. It was impossible to etcuro ibo men wanted, owing to the stiingerey cf the labor market, but several hundred attacked tho huge masses of dobris that have delayed traffic and annoyed pedestrians since April 18, and throw tho tangled iron and broken bricks on tho private ground to which they belonged. Much friction resulted, Contraciom threatened to shoot, and talkod of legal redrosa. Public sympathy, however, is strongly on the sido of the Board, inasmuch as it was considered tho streets were enppoeod to belong to the poople ar.d six months was thought ample timo for property- owners to olrnr their lots’. It is now possible to walk on tho sidewalks cf oomo of the down-town thoroughfares, end the good work is going od, much to the general delight. The Relief Corporation has received

portion of tho largo Bum of money hold in irust in Eastern cities. Tho woik of eroding temporary homes is proceeding, nnd the'refugees will ull bo under cover when tho rain sets iu. Thtro is friction 33 to whether a nominal rrntul ehould bo charged for tho houses. Scmo refugees bavo positively refused to pay. It will prc-bubly bo several months era the relief work is turned over lo the associated cbcritics. There is quite a fetling against tho refugee camp?, owing lo tho opportunities for work, and the fact Shat criminals havo bidden themselves arncDg these wi'hout homes

The Henrsi Estnio bas drctfed to orcot a 28 storey elnsr. A fcuiloiup. to bouse the Sta F.-areisco Examiner. 1“ will bo the highest etiuc’uio b'. iv, modern in every respict, ajil lv credit to the communin'. No fcosior evidence of haeinoiß prosperity could be furnished than the statement that

the Examiner was obliged so leave out sis paces of advertisements in a special reconstruction edition at 110 p- g-: To a printer this seems unbelievable —to a layman it ia a sign cf good times.