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Robert Aldrich
10/14/2016
Corruption and Greed Leave the City by the Bay Vulnerable
In April of 1906, the city of San Francisco was hit by a devastating earthquake that today’s seismologists claim to have been from 7.8 to 8.3 on the Richter scale. The amount of damage that occurred from the quake and the ensuing fire that lasted three days was by today’s standards in the 100’s of billions of dollars. Buildings crumbled due to poor construction, the lack of reinforcements and foundations actually liquefying in districts that had been built over marsh lands. This poses the question to why was the city so unprepared knowing they were in earthquake territory? I’m hoping to provide some of these answers with the topic I have selected, “What role did corruption play in the destruction of San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake and fire?” San Francisco had become a dynamic city in California and the Barbary Coast along with Kearney Street supplied the entertainment for those living there. Booze, gambling and prostitution were big money makers and many of the local elites had their hands in the business of it. The Southern Pacific or what was called the machine controlled most of the decisions put into law or left out. Bribes were a common occurrence in obtaining building licenses and left the companies to do shoddy work because of lack of inspection codes. This poses the question, “What role did corruption play in the aftermath and rebuilding of San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake and fire?” There are some arrest made in the aftermath following investigation and exposure to the corruption that was taking place during the time. Many San Franciscan’s were hoping that the destruction of saloons, prostitution houses, opium dens and the many “dens of iniquity” would clean things up the city following reconstruction. This would not be the case due to many corrupt officials who were heavily invested in these businesses. There are many newspaper articles and court records regarding Abe Ruef who had his hand in municipal government and corruption. Bribes were taken from public utilities controlling water, electricity, etc. in order to create monopolies. There is also evidence of state legislatures and judges receiving kickbacks for passing laws that kept gambling and prostitution from being shut down. Chinatown was also conveniently located next to these areas making the opium dens readily available to those seeking such entertainment. The corruption at the government level in San Francisco had existed from the result of the gold rush and only grew at all levels leading up into the early 20th century.