After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , Wheeler served on the Committee of Fifty , a group of prominent citizens who quickly took control of reconstruction when it became clear the San Francisco Board of Supervisors was unable . Wheeler held the position of secretary of the Relief Committee . In December 1908 , he reported that the Relief Committee , because of its success in carrying out its mission , would be dissolved at the first of the year . He noted that $ 9.5 million had been distributed to those in need , and that the committee 's administration costs had been 2 % of that . The relief work had provided approximately 8,000 homes for 30,000 people
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Charles Stetson Wheeler