During the 1906 San Francisco earthquake Phelan was a member of the Committee of Fifty , called into existence by Mayor Schmitz to manage the crisis . Afterward , when Dr. Edward Thomas Devine , representing the American Red Cross by appointment of President Roosevelt , was responsible for Relief and Red Cross Funds , ex-Mayor Phelan was allowed to assist Devine , thus keeping the money out of the hands of Schmitz and Abe Ruef . Phelan became Chairman of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Relief and Red Cross Funds when Devine was relieved of his post in July 1906
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
James D. Phelan