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Great Fires: 1906 Great Earthquake & Fire

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Appendix A.
Earthquake in California, April 18, 1906
Special Report of Maj. Gen. Adolphus W. Greely, U. S. A., Commanding the Pacific Division

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 18.

HEADQUARTERS PACIFIC DIVISION,
San Francisco, Cal., April 29, 1906.

I. In order to economically and efficiently perform the nonmilitary duties of distributing relief supplies, the city of San Francisco is hereby divided into seven civil sections, as described in paragraph XIV.
II. The following-named officers are charged, generally, with administrative duties, as follows:
1. Maj. Lea Febiger, inspector-general, in general charge of the organization of relief stations, of their personnel, methods of administration, and requisitions. Headquarters, Hamilton School building, on Geary, near Scott street.
2. Maj. C. A. Devol, depot quartermaster, with all questions of transportation, storage, and allied duties. Headquarters, Presidio wharf.
3. Maj. C. R. Krauthoff, depot commissary, with the commissary duties in connection with providing food supplies and the filling of requisitions approved by Major Febiger, Dr. Edward T. Devine, special representative of the National Red Cross, or other duly authorized agents or officials. Headquarters, Folsom street wharf.
4. An officer of the Army, not yet selected, with supplies other than food, and the filling of requisitions for such supplies after approval of Major Febiger, Doctor Devine, or other duly authorized official. Pending his selection these duties will be performed by Major Devol. Headquarters, Presidio wharf.
5. Lieut. Col. G. H. Torney, Medical Department, United States Army, has been placed in charge of all sanitary work. He is charged with the proper organization of sanitation, the formulation of regulations to carry out the proper measures of safety against any danger from insanitary conditions, cooperating with the health commission of San Francisco.
6. Col. W. H. Heuer, Corps of Engineers, is charged with all duties relating to engineering problems connected with the work in hand, and in this connection will consult freely with the civil authorities in regard to the water supply, sanitation, and all other matters in which engineering skill is required.
III. As far as practicable, all applications for relief (whether for food, clothing, tentage, or bedding) will be made direct to, and the administrative business connected therewith transacted directly with, the officers above named. This will facilitate relief and centralize data and action relative thereto. The officers named will, as far as possible, transact their business with each other and with outside applicants direct, that is, without reference to division headquarters, the object being to insure an economical, efficient, and prompt service for the distressed and destitute.
IV. 1. As soon as practicable an officer of the Army, with assistants, will be assigned to each of the seven sections enumerated, with the view of coordinating the work and introducing at the earliest moment such methods as will prevent dishonesty or wastage, eliminate the unworthy and impostors, and insure economical administration.
2. Wherever an officer of the Army is not available a responsible civilian of the locality, designated by Doctor Devine, will be placed

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in immediate charge of each relief station and assisted in organizing a proper personnel to carry on the work.
3. As soon as possible rigid daily inspections will be made of every relief station and local regulations introduced with the view of correcting abuses, neglects, or mistakes. Relief stations will be reduced in number and personnel limited to the smallest possible number consistent with pressing demands.
4. The officer or person placed in immediate charge of each relief station will be carefully instructed by the officer in charge of the civil section to make his requests in duplicate, and those for food supplies must be separate and distinct from those for clothing, bedding, tentage, etc., because they must be filled from different supply departments. All requests must be in duplicate and submitted through the officer in charge of the civil section to Major Febiger, at the Hamilton School building, on Geary street, near Scott. In case of immediate need the requisition may be taken direct to Major Febiger.
V. It is expected and desired that commanders of military districts in San Francisco, charged with guarding of public buildings and other military duties, shall extend advice and, as far as practicable, needful assistance in the interests of the nonmilitary duties of relief.
VI. Charges of wastage, deception, theft, and improper appropriation of relief supplies have been freely made, and it is claimed that the food supply in some cases [is] too lavish in quantity and is being issued without suitable discrimination. The period of extreme distress for food has passed, and at the earliest possible moment the issue of rations must be confined to helpless women and children and refused to adult males unless they are sick or in feeble condition.
VII. For the information of division headquarters a system of inspection will be established through the Inspector-General's Department, in order that the inspectors may be facilitated as much as possible in gaining information giving a clear idea as to how the work is going on. All officers connected with the distribution of supplies will keep such memorandum records, aside from their regular records, as will enable them to give to the inspectors a summary of the work being done, the method pursued, and in general such information and recommendation as they may have for improvements and economy.
VIII. The following permanent relief ration is fixed, the amount being stated in allowance per ration or per 100 rations:

MEAT COMPONENTS.

10 ounces canned meat or salt meat or canned fish, or 14 ounces fresh meat to the ration.

BREAD COMPONENTS.

14 ounces fresh bread or 10 ounces hard bread or crackers, or 12 ounces flour to the ration.

COFFEE AND TEA.

1 pound coffee to 15 rations or 1½ pounds tea to 100 rations.

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VEGETABLE COMPONENTS.

1½ ounces beans, peas, rice, or hominy to the ration.
¾ pound fresh vegetables (80 per cent potatoes, 20 per cent onions) to the ration.

DRIED FRUIT COMPONENTS.

1 ounce dried fruit to the ration.

MISCELLANEOUS.

15 pounds sugar to 100 rations.
3 quarts vinegar (or pickles) to 100 rations.
2 pounds salt to 100 rations.
4 ounces pepper to 100 rations.
4 pounds soap to 100 rations.
1½ pounds candles to 100 rations.

It is recognized that exact conformity to articles herein mentioned is at present impracticable. However, the ration, commencing at noon, Tuesday, May 1, 1906, will be confined to the articles herein named, or proper substitutes equivalent thereto.

IX. After May 1, 1906, no rations beyond the articles above named, or their substitutes, will be issued from any relief station or district under military control, except on the prescription or order of a reputable physician or other competent authority. Issues of luxuries or articles of special diet must be confined to infants or invalids. Any other course will speedily exhaust the very limited means of subsistence now at the disposal of the army and of the finance committee of relief and funds.
X. At the earliest practicable moment each of the four officers charged with the supervision of the work of distribution of supplies will report approximate data from which the division commander can determine:
A. The amount of United States supplies actually received to date by the army and the amount in transit.
B. The total amount of all kinds of supplies (army relief and other relief) actually received to date by the army.
C. The total amounts issued daily to stations distributing food, clothing, tentage, etc., under army control.
D. Same for those not under army control in San Francisco.
E. Amounts issued to towns outside of San Francisco.

While present reports, through lack of sufficient force and supervision can not be exact, it is expected that they will as soon as possible be reduced to the methods generally in vogue in the Army.

XI. Officers in charge of departments will submit a report as soon as conditions permit of the disbursements made or indebtedness contracted in carrying out the relief work by the army. They will immediately submit requisitions for necessary funds, giving the period which they are expected to cover, such requisitions to be accompanied by notes explaining the reason and necessity for such funds.
XII. Officers charged with these duties will be expected to make such daily record as to enable them to make weekly, or when otherwise called upon, a brief report of the work done, and when the civil authorities resume the work to present a complete report covering their entire operations.
XIII. Rigid economy is enjoined on every officer of the Army engaged in relief work. No indebtedness will be contracted without the authority of one of the officers named in this order or the department

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or division commanders. It is desired and directed that any unusual and abnormal expense be reported verbally or in writing to the division commander so that authority covering expenditures, apart from the necessary ones of the employś, material and ordinary routine, may be specifically authorized.
XIV. RELIEF SECTIONS.
First.—Section wherein all official relief stations are numbered between 1 and 100 is bounded as follows: On the south by Fulton street, on the east by Devisadero street, on the north and west by San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean, including Presidio reservation, but not including Fort Miley reservation.
Second.—Section wherein all official relief stations are numbered between 101 and 200 is bounded as follows: On the north by Fulton street, on the east by Devisadero street and Castro street, on the south by Eighteenth and L streets, on the west by the Pacific Ocean.
Third.—Section wherein all official relief stations are numbered between 201 and 300 is bounded as follows: On the north and east by San Francisco Bay, on the south by Union street, on the west by Devisadero street.
Fourth.—Section wherein all official relief stations are numbered between 301 and 400 is bounded as follows: On the north by Union street, on the east by the bay, on the south by Market street, on the west by Devisadero and Castro streets.
Fifth.—Section wherein all official relief stations are numbered between 401 and 500 is bounded as follows: On the north by Market street, on the east by the bay, on the south by Eighteenth street, on the west by Castro street.
Sixth.—Section wherein all official relief stations are numbered between 501 and 600 is bounded as follows: On the north by Eighteenth street, on the east by the bay, on the south by the county line, on the west by the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Seventh.—Section wherein all official relief stations are numbered between 601 and 700 is bounded as follows: On the north by L and Eighteenth streets, on the east by the Southern Pacific Railroad, on the south by the county line, on the west by the ocean.

By command of Major-General Greely:
S. P. JOCELYN,
Colonel, General Staff, Chief of Staff.
Official:
W. G. HAAN,
Acting Military Secretary.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 19.

HEADQUARTERS PACIFIC DIVISION,
San Francisco, Cal., May 2, 1906.

1. In addition to the six military districts already established by General Orders, No. 12, Pacific Division, two more districts are added and bounded as follows:

SEVENTH DISTRICT.

Bounded on the north by N street and a straight line from the east end of N street over the hills to Twentieth street, continuing on

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Twentieth east to San Francisco Bay; on the east by San Francisco Bay; on the south by the county line; on the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Commanding officer, Col. J. A. Irons.
Headquarters, at Jersey and Church streets.
Personnel of command, 5 companies 14th Infantry and 1 troop 14th Cavalry.

EIGHTH DISTRICT.

Bounded on the north by a line running as follows: Beginning at the Pacific Ocean along H street south of the park to Stanyan street, north on Stanyan street to Oak street, east on Oak street to Fillmore street, north on Fillmore street to Bush street, east on Bush street to Van Ness avenue, south on Van Ness avenue to Market and Eleventh streets, southeast on Eleventh street to Division street, east on Division street to Channel Creek, following Channel Creek to San Francisco Bay. Bounded on the east by San Francisco Bay, on the south by Twentieth and N streets, on the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Headquarters, at Jefferson Square, Eddy and Octavia streets.

Commanding officer, General Koster, National Guard of California.
Personnel of command, all troops of the National Guard of California on duty in the city of San Francisco.
2. The limits of this district are prescribed with the express approval of the commanding general, National Guard of California.
3. The third district is modified so as to include all territory as follows, except the wharves in charge of the Navy:
Bounded on the north and east by San Francisco Bay, on the south by Channel Creek and Eleventh street, on the west by Van Ness avenue to Bush street, thence east on Bush street to Hyde street, thence north on Hyde street to the bay.
4. All officers of the various supply departments will report without delay all telegrams sent by them direct to the War Department, also copies of all replies received since April 18, 1906. This information is necessary to comply with instructions from the War Department requiring information as to financial obligations thus far entered into in this division on account of appropriations for relief funds.
5. In future all communications or requisitions asking for funds or supplies from the Quartermaster's Department, Subsistence Department, Medical Department, Engineer Corps, Ordnance Department, and Signal Corps, pertaining to the relief appropriations by Congress, will be submitted through these headquarters.

By command of Major-General Greely:
W. G. HAAN.
Captain, General Staff, Acting Chief of Staff.
Official:
S. W. DUNNING,
Military Secretary.

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GENERAL ORDERS, No. 21.

HEADQUARTERS PACIFIC DIVISION,
San Francisco, Cal., May 3, 1906.

1. Many reports having been made to these headquarters that individuals have accumulated considerable quantities of relief supplies, food, blankets, etc., to the injury of the public service and the detriment of the destitute, it is directed that every officer and enlisted man serving in this command bring all acts of this kind to the official notice of these headquarters.
2. While the army has no authority to make arrests for such offenses against the public welfare, yet active steps will be taken to secure the arrest and trial of parties so offending on the charge of obtaining goods under false pretenses.
3. While regretting the necessity of inviting public attention to criminal acts of this kind on the part of a small part of the destitute people of San Francisco, yet its heinousness requires prompt and speedy punishment.
4. Any communication received from civilians, whether by the commanding officers of the districts, the commanding general, Department of California, or at these headquarters, will be treated as strictly confidential, but such communications must not be anonymous.

By command of Major-General Greely:
W. G. HAAN,
Captain, General Staff, Acting Chief of Staff.
Official:
S. W. DUNNING,
Military Secretary.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 22.

HEADQUARTERS PACIFIC DIVISION,
San Francisco, Cal., May 4, 1906.

1. On and after May 6, 1906, no officer will make any expenditure, or in any way incur any indebtedness, chargeable against the relief appropriations under the joint resolutions of Congress, except under the specific directions of the division commander.
2. Requisitions for allotments from Red Cross relief fund, to cover expenditures absolutely necessary for most urgent cases, must be submitted to the division commander. While the continuance of absolutely necessary current expenditures are hereby authorized, all officers will be held responsible for their economical and efficient administration. Such expenditures, however, must cease on Tuesday, May 8, 1906, unless requisitions for funds are made and approved by the division commander on or before that time. The attention of officers connected with the various phases of this work is called to the necessity of immediate action in order to avoid interruptions in the work of relief absolutely necessary.

Attention is especially called to paragraph XI, General Orders, No. 19 [18], current series, Pacific Division.

By command of Major-General Greely:
W. G. HAAN,
Captain, General Staff, Acting Chief of Staff.
Official:
S. W. DUNNING,
Military Secretary.

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GENERAL ORDERS, No. 23.

HEADQUARTERS PACIFIC DIVISION,
San Francisco, Cal., May 5, 1906.

1. Sanitary districts are hereby established in the city of San Francisco with limits coincident with those of military districts already established.
2. The civil authorities have designated a physician to be stationed at each military district headquarters who will be in general charge, under the supervision of the chief sanitary officer of San Francisco, of all sanitary matters other than hospitals in the military district in which he is stationed.
3. Medical supplies distributed from relief stores without charge to various parts of the city of San Francisco, other than to hospitals, will be obtained upon requisition of the sanitary officer stationed at the military district headquarters. These requisitions will go direct to the chief sanitary officer, Lieut. Col. G. H. Torney, Medical Department, U. S. A., stationed at General Hospital, Presidio. After the requisitions have been acted upon by him he will direct the issue from the medical supply depot.
4. Each district sanitary official will make a daily report on the sanitary conditions in his district, giving in a brief memorandum all the essential facts that have come to his notice. One copy of this report will go direct to the chief sanitary officer, Presidio Hospital, and one copy through the military district commander to the military secretary, Pacific Division. Military district commanders will forward these reports so that they will reach division headquarters not later than 10 a. m. on the day following the day on which the report is made. The report here required of the district sanitary officer will be submitted not later than 8 p. m. on the day for which it is made.

FREE DISPENSARIES.

5. All dispensaries that have been designated by the health commission as free dispensaries will receive their supplies by requisitions submitted by the authorized agent of the health commission direct to the chief sanitary officer at the General Hospital, Presidio, who, after he has acted thereon, will direct issue from the medical supply depot.

PERMANENT CAMPS.

6. A field officer will be designated in general charge of all permanent camps. Sites not already selected for such camps will be selected by the health commission. When the site has been definitely decided upon, the division commander will select an officer, who will have charge of the construction of the camp. He will consult with the chief sanitary officer in regard to sanitation, water supply, etc. This officer, or another officer designated in his place, will remain in permanent charge of the camp after it is occupied by the refugees. He will make requisitions for the necessary tentage, lumber, etc., upon the Quartermaster's Department through division headquarters. In filling these requisitions the quartermaster will issue, as far as possible, relief supplies not furnished by the Congressional appropriation pertaining to the relief of San Francisco.
7. Medical officers and physicians in immediate charge of the sanitation of permanent or semipermanent camps will report briefly

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the results of their observations to the military district sanitary official direct, so that it will reach him not later than 6 o'clock p. m. on the day which the report is made, in order that the substance thereof may be incorporated in his daily report to the sanitary officer at military district headquarters, required under paragraph 4 of this order.

HOSPITALS.

8. All hospitals that have been designated by the health commission as hospitals to receive the sick from among the destitute will submit requisitions for medical supplies direct to the chief sanitary officer at the Presidio General Hospital. After approval by him, he will direct the issue from the medical supply depot.
NOTE.—It is to be understood that supplies issued from the medical supply depot as above described are to be used solely for destitute free patients.
9. Commissary supplies for those hospitals officially designated by the health commission, as indicated in paragraph 8, will be obtained as follows: Official in charge of hospital will make requisition direct upon the officer in charge of the special diet depot at Moulder School building, corner Page and Gough streets. After the requisition is acted upon there by the official especially designated for that purpose the supplies will be issued from that depot.

NOTE.—It is to be understood that these supplies are to be used solely for destitute free patients.

By command of Major-General Greely:
W. G. HAAN,
Captain, General Staff, Acting Chief of Staff.
Official:
S. W. DUNNING,
Military Secretary.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 24.

HEADQUARTERS PACIFIC DIVISION,
San Francisco, Cal., May 7, 1906.

1. At the request of Dr. Edward T. Devine, all relief quartermaster supplies, such as clothing, bedding, blankets, etc., other than those furnished by the United States Government, also such tentage and other articles, utensils, etc., as are in the Crocker School depot, will be issued upon requisitions approved by Doctor Devine, Allen Pollok, or authorized agents designated by Doctor Devine; a list of the names of whom will be furnished the officer in charge of the Crocker School depot.
2. Section 4, paragraph IV, General Orders, No. 18, current series, headquarters Pacific Division, is hereby amended accordingly, and in future officers acting as chief of civil sections and Maj. Lea Febiger, U. S. A., will act upon requisitions for food supplies only.
3. After a fixed date (probably within this week), which will be publicly announced, no food will be issued from relief stations in San Francisco except to persons holding food tickets received from Dr. Edward T. Devine, or his properly authorized agents.
4. Special guards furnished for private property, such as safes, vaults, private buildings, etc., will be withdrawn at 12 o'clock noon on

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Thursday, May 10, 1906. Parties deeming the continuance of these guards important must apply to headquarters Pacific Division in writing therefor, stating in their applications in full special reasons why guard should be retained.

By command of Major-General Greely:
W. G. HAAN,
Captain, General Staff, Acting Chief of Staff.
Official:
S. W. DUNNING,
Military Secretary.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 25.

HEADQUARTERS PACIFIC DIVISION,
San Francisco, Cal., May 8, 1906.

1. At the request of the commander in chief United States Naval Squadron in San Francisco Harbor, the naval forces now on duty in the city of San Francisco are relieved from that duty, to take effect at noon on Thursday, the 10th instant.
2. For the purposes of military control the city of San Francisco is hereby redistricted; the boundary lines of each district and the location of district headquarters will be as follows:

FIRST DISTRICT.

Bounded on the south by Fulton street, on the east by Devisadero street, on the north and west by San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, including the Presidio reservation, but not including Fort Miley reservation.
Headquarters, Presidio of San Francisco, Cal.

SECOND DISTRICT.

Bounded on the north by Fulton street, on the east by Devisadero street south to Oak street, thence west on Oak street to Stanyan street, thence south on Stanyan street to L street, thence west on L street to the ocean, on the west by the Pacific Ocean.
Headquarters, Park lodge.

THIRD DISTRICT.

Bounded on the north and east by San Francisco Bay, on the south by Union street, on the west by Devisadero street.
Headquarters, Fort Mason, Cal.

FOURTH DISTRICT.

Bounded on the north by Union street, on the east by the bay, on the south by Market street to Castro street, thence south on Castro street to Eighteenth street, thence west on Eighteenth street to Stanyan street, thence north on Stanyan street to Oak street, thence east on Oak street to Devisadero street, thence north on Devisadero street to Union street.

Headquarters, Page and Cole streets.

NOTE.—By expressed agreement with Brigadier-General Koster, National Guard of California, this district is placed in charge of the National Guard of California.

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FIFTH DISTRICT.

Bounded on the north by Market street, on the east by the bay, on the south by Eighteenth street, on the west by Castro street.
Headquarters, South Park (Third and Bryant streets).

SIXTH DISTRICT.

All that part of the city of San Francisco south of L and Eighteenth streets.
Headquarters, Twenty-fifth and Church streets.
NOTE.—This military district comprises two civil sections—sixth and seventh. (General Orders, No. 18.) The district commander is expected to instruct his command so that it will understand the dividing line of the two relief sections composing that military district; the dividing line being the Southern Pacific Railroad.
3. The department commander will assign the commanding officers and troops to all the districts except the fourth, which will be controlled by the National Guard of California.
4. The change will take place at noon Thursday, May 10, 1906.
5. It is to be clearly understood by the district commanders that the duties of the troops are not such as will give them control over the actions of civilians going about their ordinary business. Their military duties consist in the guarding of the buildings and supplies owned by the United States and in the protection of exposed property of great value or importance at places specifically designated by the division commander. Their nonmilitary duties consist in furnishing assistance when required by the civil authorities in making arrests, suppressing riots, etc. At this juncture, however, their most important nonmilitary functions will be to assist as much as possible in the work of relief to the destitute. In order to carry out effectively this work, it may become necessary at times to assume control over the actions of people who are being fed. The necessary amount of control over persons living in camps and those who come to the relief stations for food must be left to the discretion of district commanders, who should keep themselves constantly informed of the conditions of every relief station in their district and should personally make frequent visits to the various relief stations. It is only by the most minute observations and vigilance that persons drawing food can be restrained from securing more than their share at the relief stations.
6. The officers in charge of the civil sections will handle food requisitions made by persons in charge of relief stations and forward them to the proper depots. They also have charge of the transportation and bringing supplies to the various relief stations. On account of the very small military personnel at their command, it is impossible for them to minutely observe the method of issuing at the various relief stations. District commanders are to directly co-operate in every way possible with Maj. Lea Febiger and his subordinates, charged with the distribution of food supplies to the various relief stations.
7. Such details of guard as are necessary for the preserving of order at distributing stations, for the proper protection of stores in transit, and for the preserving of order in military camps will be furnished at the request of Lieut. Col. R. K. Evans, in charge of the

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camps, Maj. C. A. Devol, in charge of transportation and quartermaster supplies, Maj. C. R. Krauthoff, in charge of subsistence stores, and Maj. Lea Febiger, in charge of relief stations. These officers will be expected to limit their demands to the lowest number consistent with efficiency.
8. The division commander expects every officer to use his utmost endeavors to administer the duties pertaining to relief work, and in the most economical, prompt, and efficient manner. Relief appropriations are practically exhausted, and no expenditures from this appropriation in any department whatever will be made except under the specific authority in writing of the division commander.
9. In permanent camps where officers have been assigned to take charge as provided in paragraph 6, General Orders, No. 23, current series, Pacific Division, medical officials in charge of the sanitation will make their recommendations for any changes that may be necessary on account of sanitation to the officer in charge of the camp, whose duty it is hereby made to carry out these recommendations if possible; if not possible, to report them to the officer in general charge of all camps, who, if necessary, will report the facts to the division commander.
10. On and after May 8, 1906, every applicant for relief at the food stations under the supervision of the army, whether in Oakland or in San Francisco, will be required to state affirmatively to the officer or soldier at the station that the applicant is so destitute that food can not be obtained in any other manner than by public relief.
11. In addition, every adult male will be asked whether he is willing to accept work, and also be informed that food issues to adult males must cease at an early date.
12. All applicants answering unfavorably will be refused food. This disagreeable but important duty must be courteously but firmly carried out.
13. On and after Saturday, May 12, no food will be issued in the city of San Francisco except at camps under strict military control, save to persons bearing a food ticket issued by the Red Cross. The Red Cross has arranged to have an authorized agent at each relief station to provide for applicants who are extremely destitute and who may not have been previously registered. All parties needing public relief are informed that they can register for the purpose of obtaining a food ticket at any one of the existing official relief stations.

By command of Major-General Greely:
W. G. HAAN,
Captain, General Staff, Acting Chief of Staff.
Official:
S. W. DUNNING,
Military Secretary.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 26.

HEADQUARTERS PACIFIC DIVISION,
San Francisco, Cal., May 10, 1906.

After Saturday, May 12, issues of free food at the relief stations will be made only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and for a single day only. On alternate days Dr. Edward T. Devine, special representative, National Red Cross, has arranged to have a Red

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