OBSTACLES TO RECONSTRUCTION OF SAN FRANCISCO. 59 
The following requirements should be adhered to in structures for 
earthquake countries : 
1. Location on or near the fault should be avoided. 
2. Foundations and superstructures should be so built that they 
will move as a unit. 
3. Wooden structures should be rather heavily framed, with con- 
tinuity in the vertical members, adequate diagonal bracing, and sub- 
stantial foundations. 
4. Steel structures should rest upon an adequate foundation and 
be thoroughly braced diagonally. This feature is a most important 
one, as rigidity is absolutely essential. 
5. Brickwork and stonework should be thoroughly bonded with 
full header courses laid in Portland-cement mortar. 
6. Masonry should be thoroughly tied to the steel or other framing 
members. 
7. Buildings should have no unnecessary material in their super- 
structures, and heavy ornamentation should be omitted. 
8. Flimsy floors and partitions should be avoided; reenforced con- 
crete is an excellent material for both. 
Professor Omori, chairman of the Japanese earthquake commis- 
sion, and other earthquake authorities, have stated that great earth- 
quakes are followed by a settled condition in the earth's surface and 
that there is an interval of fifty or one hundred years during which 
no earthquakes occur. The general fear which prevailed during the 
first days following the earthquake has been quieted by these assur- 
ances, which have also created a feeling of security that has led to a 
relaxation of the precautions necessary in the work of reconstruction. 
The lessons taught by the great calamities such as have befallen San 
Francisco, Baltimore, Chicago, and other cities are not regarded. Tt 
is very probable that the new San Francisco to rise on the ruins will 
be, to a large extent, a duplicate of the former city in defects of 
construction. 
OBSTACLES TO RECONSTRUCTION OF SAN FRANCISCO. 
The actual loss by fire in San Francisco was much greater than in 
the Baltimore fire, for the reason that many insurance companies 
have taken advantage of the earthquake clause in the policies and 
failed to pay their claims, while others without the requisite funds 
were unable to pay the large claims in full. This failure to pay a 
very considerable percentage of the fire losses and the delay in 
adjusting them have proved serious setbacks in the progress of 
reconstruction. 
The new building code is also operating against the best interests 
of the city. The arbitrary classification of buildings based on the 
