Indianapolis Times, Volume 48, Number 7, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 March 1936 — Page 1

OVER 100 DEAD, 200,000 HOMELESS

VAST STEEL AREA ISOLATED; WASHINGTON IS THREATENED;, LOSS IS PUT AT MILLIONS

Water Laps Toward Famed Mall: 80,000 Sandbags Already Placed. - FEDERAL FILES MOVED President Delays Vacation, Calls in Emergency Flood Council. By United Press WASHINGTON, March 19. —Raging flood waters of the Potomac swept down upon the capital today, while thousands of workers raised dikes to protect the nation’s historic shrines and million-dollar Federal offices. President Roosevelt delayed his departure for a vacation due to the emergency. With a deep-throated roar that could be heard a half-mile from its fast spreading banks, the Potomac was rising to the point where water lapped toward the famous Mall, the low-lying area between Washington Monument and Capitol Hill. In this area are the Lincoln Memorial, the cherry trees and huge new government buildings. More than 3000 hastily recruited workmen labored on a 19-foot dike to protect the threatened area from the flood chest expected shortly before nightfall. Sandbags Thrown Up Meantime, government workers dropped routine tasks to move flies and records from the lower floors of threatened buildings. Steam shovels end lohg lines of heavy trucks were sent to the danger area where the wall of sandbags was placed, half a mile from the White House. Already 80,000 sandbags have been placed and more were being thrown up at the rate of 800 tons of sand an hour. Mr. Roosevelt called in the emergency flood committee namde by him yesterday to go over the national situation before departing for his Florida vacation. Cherry Trees Endangered His vacation was postponed for at least 24 hours. He will delay longer if the situation warrants. The White House said that Mr. Roosevelt would not ieave until assured that every possible step was flood-stricken regions. The chief threat to the capital developed in the area along the Potomac, where scores of famous buildings and national shrines are located. The Lincoln Memorial, raised on a high mound at the very brink of the river was a vantage point from which could be seen the steady rise of the water. The tidal basin, circled by the famous Japanese cherry trees whose blossoms attract visitors from all over the nation each year, quickly rose over its bank, inundating the trees and arousing fears they would be destroyed. Heavy Rains in New York By United Press BINGHAMTON. N. Y., March 19. —Heavy rains beat down on floodstricken Binghamton again today, carrying threats of greater disaster. as workers labored to restore the water supply to the city’s 76,000 inhabitants. Flood waters from the surging Susquehanna River forced suspension of operations in the Binghamton waterworks this • morning and within a short time the last reservoir was completely drained. Highways leading from Binghamton were impassable and scores of motorists, en route to other cities, were marooned here. 22 Dead in New England By United Press BOSTON. March 19.—The death toll in flood-plagued New England mounted to 22 today, property loss soared higher into the millions, a huge dam gave way, ahd the Weather Bureau predicted the worst W’as still to come. Breaking of a dam near Uxbridge, Mass., sent a 15-ton w’all of water down the Blackstone Valley in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Seventy sailors from Boston Navy Yard were ordered to Northampton, Mass., for rescue work. That city, home of Smith College, was partly flooded and the Connecticut River spread over the valley towns of Hadley and Sunderland. Await Word of Relatives Two Indianapolis residents today anxiously awaited word from the flooded areas in the East. Btoddard C. Harfiilton, 3228 Ruckle-st, has not heard from his wife, who is visiting in Turner Falls, Mass., since he received a letter yesterday. She said then there was 18 inches of vater in the basement of the home in which she was staying. R. R. Mitchell, 5043 E. New York--Bc, has been trying vainly to communicate with his brother, Victor Mitchell, 940 Ash-st, Johnstown. Pa.

The Indianapolis Times lORECAST: Unsettled and warmer tonight with lowest temperature about 35 or 40; tomorrow somewhat colder.

VOLUME 48—NUMBER 7

F. D. R. SEEKING $3,000,000 TO AID REDCROSS Contributions Will Be Used to Rehabilitate Stricken Cities. By United Press WASHINGTON, March 19.—President Roosevelt today called on the nation to contribute generously to the Red Cross for flood relief, and declared that all agencies of government had been co-ordinated to the task of relieving distress and preventing loss of life and property.

Give! Residents of Indianapolis and Marion County today were called upon to contribute SIB,OOO for the $3,000,000 relief fund for flood sufferers being raised by the Ameriean Red Cross. William Fortune, Indianapolis chapter, American Red Cross, chairman, was informed today of the local quota by a telegram from Admiral Cary T. Grayson, national chairman. Contributions should be made payable to Arthur V. Brown, treasurer, Indianapolis Red Cross, 777 N. Meridian-st. Admiral Grayson estimated that 38,000 in 11 states would need Red Cross aid.

In a proclamation, he asked contributions of at least $3,000,000 for the Red Cross, saying that 200,000 persons had been driven from their homes in 11 states, with indications the number would be materially increased. There was a dramatic tone at a special press conference, attended by members of his special flood committee headed by Secretary of War George H. Dern, when the President emphasized that everything possible was being done by the Federal government to relieve distress. He read latest reports from the flood area to Maj. Gen. Edward M. Markham, chief of Army engineers, (Turn to Page Three)

‘POCKET' AREA AWAITSFLOOD Ohio River Is Expected to Reach 45 Feet Near Evansville. By United Press EVANSVILLE, Ind., March 19. Twenty-five hundred families in the rich corn-belt lowlands near here prepared today for a flood stage of 45 feet, three feet below the 1913 level, late next week. The Ohio River, swollen by Eastern floods, may reach 45 feet or more when it hits its crest late next week, McLinn Collom, weather observer, reported. During the last 24 hours, the Ohio River here has risen from 20.7 feet to 25.7 feet. Flood stage is 35 feet, and the United States Coast Guard cutter, Kankakee, is standing by for rescue work. Farm families in the lowlands, accustomed to spring floods, may be forced to move from an area of approximately 1000 acres. Authorities said that if the i tver went to 48 feet, only a section of ‘he residential district here would Ik- effected. When the huge ice gorge in the Ohio River broke several weeks ago water backed up into the lowlands and drove the river up to nearly 40 feet. Authorities said that the American Red Cross and other rescue agencies are well organized here and the predicted damage probably would be slight. Mr. Collom also said that the flood waters might back up into the mouth of the Wabash River, inundating lowlands in lower Posey County. He anticipates a flood crest of 41 feet, four feet above flood level, at Uniontown, Ky., near the mouth of the Wabash. 200 CHILDREN SAVED North Carolina Rescuers Battle 20Foot Snow Drifts. By United Press NEWLAND, N. C., March 19. Rescue workers today pushed through 20-foot snow drifts to rescue approximately 200 children who had been snowbound since Tuesday at local consolidated school.

State Troopers Are Rushed to Wheeling Sector to Prevent Looting. DEATH TOLL IS AT 16 Island ‘Whirlpool’ Grows More Menacing With Each Hour. By United Press WHEELING, W. Va., March 19. Forty state troopers were rushed here today to prevent looting and to aid in flood rescue work. The two giant spans over the river, steel and suspension bridges, were reported in danger of collapse. Patrolman Patrick Dacey reported two side cables have snapped on the suspension bridge, built at the time of the Civil War and once the longest suspension bridge in the world. “We’re not permitting any one on the bridge,” Dacey announced. “There were two women I hated to turn away. Their husbands are still in that island whirlpool, but I couldn’t let them pass. It’s two dangerous on those bridges.” 20,000 Are Homeless The island “whirlpool” grew more menacing minute by minute. As the water continued to rise, nearing a stage of 54 feet, fewer and fewer house tops were visible and hundreds of volunteers, in motor boats and skiffs, searched desperately fer marooned families. Survivors reported seeing women with babies in arm pleading for help from attic windows. The situation was equally serious in many other sections of the city. Hundreds of refugees streamed out of the rain into schools, churches, private residences and public buildings out of the flood zone. More than 20,000 were homeless although an accurate check was impossible. 500 Moved Out in Box Cars The city virtually was isolated from the outside world. Telephone lines were dow'h. There were no transportation facilities. Other cities and villages in the Greater Wheeling area, home of 250,000 and center of vast steel and coal interests, fared little better. Throughout the district, it was estimated nearly 40,00 were homeless and probably about 20 dead. The Pennsylvania Railroad moved 500 residents of Empire, 0., out of the flood area in box cars. Some of the drenched refugees were housed in grange halls, schooihouses and churches back in the hills. Others were taken to Toronto, where emergency relief headquarters was established. Steubenville was threatened with an epidemic of typhoid. Serum was taken there from Columbus for distribution by the Red Cross. Three cases of typhoid were reported. Receding at Pittsburgh By United Press PITTSBURGH, March 19. The Allegheny River receded with increasing rapidity today and Pittsburgh turned to the duty of aiding residents of its suburbs who have suffered severely. The river stage at “The Point” confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers—was 39.5 feet at 10:45 a. m., a fall of almost a foot an hour since 6 a. m. Simultaneously, National Guardsmen narrowed the portion of the Golden Triangle which they had been guarding as a precaution against weakened sidewalks. They were withdrawn to Smithfield -st, two blocks nearer the river than their former positions, and the point at which the rising flood waters reached their crest. All Records Broken By United Press HARRISBURG, March 19.—The Susquehanna River stood at 29 feet today, breaking all flood records since 1846. WeLther officials believed the peak had net yet been reached and said they had no way of knowing when it would be. While few deaths were reported in central Pennsylvania counties drained by the Susquehanna, all relief agencies feared that a heavy toll would be taken, if the wateV did not cease to rise within a few hours. \ Borough Is Isolated By United Press PITTSBURG. March 19.—The borough of McKee's Rocks, about five miles from Pittsburgh’s Triangle, was practically cut off from the outside world today by flood waters from the Ohio River. Hundreds of families were forced from their homes when the Ohio surged over its banks and isolated the town of 18.000. Police said they recovered the body of one man and had reports of four other deaths, but no confirmation. They said entire families have been unaccounted for.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, IP‘;6

Skyscrapers Sprout From Floodlands

Shown in this striking airview is the downstream point of Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle,” formed by confluence of Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, which unite to form the Ohio. The entire downtown business district was covered by from 2 to 18 feet of water.

\ ... #•* & imimEEk -'km* gg

The unusual spectacle of tall business buildings rising abruptly from canal-like streets greeted Pittsburghers who were marooned in skyscrapers or who w ere able to get into the business district by boat. This airview gives a vivid picture of the water’s spread, p edestrians trapped on sections of the streets above the flood level.

TERM GERMANY PACTJfIOLATOR Council Votes After Hitler’s Aid Says Invasion Is Justified. By United Press LONDON, March 19.—The council of the League of Nations today formally declared Germany a violator of the Locarno and Versailles treaties as a prelude to discussions among the powers for a general European peace. The council passed a FrancoBelgian resolution declaring the treaty violation by unanimous vote. Joachim von Ribbentrop, German representative, voted “no,” but his vote was not counted. Neither were the French and Belgian, as parties to the dispute. “The German government and the whole German people are convinced that the resolution which the council has just adopted will not survive the test of history,” Von Ribbentrop said. There was no bitterness apparent. At an earlier session of the council, Von Ribbentrop said that Germany's occupation of the demilitarized Rhineland is justified by the Franco-Russian pact of mutual assistance. He pleaded for anew deal that would bring peace and friendship to Europe. After the vote on the resolution, the council adjourned. It called a meeting of the Committee of 13 on the Ethiopian War the council without Italy—for tomorrow, and decided to hold another session after the meeting of the 13, to decide on further procedure in the Rhineland dispute. The Locarno powers agreed in principle on a three-point British-Franco-Belgian plan for handling the Rhineland dispute. * Famed Flier Crashes By United Press CLARKSBURG, W. Va., March 19. —Capt. Orville Anderson, coholder of the world stratosphere flight record, escaped injury today when his plane cracked up at Flemington, W. Va., 20 miles southeast of here, while he was flying from Washington to DaytoQ.

Death List

By United Press By Ip.m. this afternoon the death toll in the floods of the Northeastern United States, as reported by localities stood at 102. The reports follow: PENNSYLVANIA Johnstown, 20; Pittsburgh, 5; Lock Haven, 10; State College, 1; Wilkes-Barre, 5; Altoona, 5; Tyrone, 1; Herndon, 1; Petersburg, 2; Morrisville, 1; McKees Rocks, 1 (4 more unconfirmed); Waynesboro, 1; Harrisburg, l. WEST VIRGINIA Wheeling, 16. VIRGINIA Lynchburg, 1; Buena Vista, 1; Staunton, 1. OHIO Bellaire, 1; Bridgeport, 1 (unconfirmed) ; Martins Ferry, 1 (unconfirmed) ; Wellsburg, 2. MASSACHUSETTS Brockton, 1; Whitinsville, 1; Lawrence, 1; Leominister, 1; Greenfield, 1; Erving, 1 (unconfirmed); Hadley, 1; Northampton, 1. NEW HAMPSHIRE Goffstown, 1; Glen, 1; Milton, 1; Nashua, 1; Warren, 1. VERMONT Groton, 1; Bellows Falls, 1; Hancock, 2; Brattleboro, 1; Williamstown, 1. CONNECTICUT Hartford, 1; Norwich, 1; Stratford, L NEW YORK Waterford, 1; Owcgo, 1. STOCKS REGAIN GAINS FOR EARLY AFTERNOON High Priced Issues Climb 5 Points; Main Listings Also Rise. By United Press NEW YORK, March 19.—Stocks in the early afternoon held gains! ranging to 2 points in the main list j and as much as 5 points in such high-priced issues as National Lead, which hit a record high of 300. Farm implement shares held wide advances. International Harvester touched anew top at 88, up 4T4 points, while Deere was at 83 1 4, up 3*B. Oils were in fair demand as were motors, silvers and chemicals.

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis. Ind.

STATE SECURITY PLANCOMPLETE Indiana Assembly Adjourns; McNutt Signs Bills in ,Fast Order. In 11 days, the special session of the 79th Indiana General Assembly has enacted into law a broad social security program embodying three important phases of public welfare. When the two houses of the Assembly adjourned last night about 7:30 they had agreed on legislation covering the following subjects: 1— More liberal pensions for the aged, 50 per cent of which the Federal government will pay, 30 per cent of which the state will pay and 20 per cent of which the counties will pay. 2 An employment compensation law which protects, primarily, the worker whose means of livelihood is (Turn to Page Seven) FEAR TYPHOID EPIDEMIC Schools Closed in Mansfield, O.; Drinking Water Blamed. By United Press MANSFIELD, 0., March 19.—A typhoid epidemic closed all Mansfield schools today. Ten cases were reported. Health authorities believed drinking water was the source of the epidemic. They ordered all families to boil water and warned against buying “bootleg” milk and cream peddled in the city. Times Index Births 22 Movies 18 Bridge 15 Mrs. Roosevelt 12 Broun 15 Music 17 Clapper 115 Pegler 15 Comics 25 i Pyle 16 Editorials .... 16 : Radio 17 Fashions 13 Serial Story ..13 Financial 24 Society 12 Hoosier Editor 16 Sports 20 Merry-Go-R’d 15 | State Deaths. 7 Loss Put at 55000 Sparks from a chimney caused a fire which swept the roof and second floor of the home of George Moyer, R. R. 9. Box 642, last night, firemen reported today. Damage was estimated at $5000.,

OHIO, POTOMAC MENACE CITIES; WHEELING HIT Hundreds of Workmen Throw Up Emergency; Levee Within Half Mile of White House; Rivers Dropping at Pittsburgh. By United Press More than 100 persons were dead, 200,000 homeless and the toll was mounting hourly as roaring floods swept onward today through 14 states from Maine to Virginia and westward to Ohio. The United Press this afternoon had tabulated 100 deaths. New reports added to the toll constantly. Some places were still cut off from communication. Others were just beginning to feel the effect of the surging rivers that swept homes and factories to destruction. President Roosevelt postponed his vacation trip to Florida and called upon the nation to raise $3,000,000 immediately for Red Cross relief. He said 200,000 persons were homeless this afternoon and the number might be far greater by tomorrow. Even as he issued his appeal, steam shovels and 3000 men were working feverishly to throw up a dike within half a mile of the White House to keep back the rampaging Potomac. The famous cherry trees along the Tidal Basin already were under water and officials feared the flood might reach the new government buildings in downtown Washington. Sixteen were dead and scores unaccounted for in Wheeling, W. Va., industrial city of 70,000, which caught the full force of the Ohio River flood as its churning, yellow, debrisladen waters swept down from Pittsburgh. Two bridges over the Ohio were feared in danger of collapse and were closed. Twenty thousand were estimated homeless in the Wheeling area. Steubenville and some other flooded cities feared typhoid epidemics. Wellsburg, 0., was under water. Steel plants were closed throughout the great industrial region. Cities on down the Ohio Valley prepared for the worst. The crest is expected to reach Cincinnati early next week. Flood waters were fast draining out of Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle” business district. Johnstown, Pa., covered with silt, set about repairing yesterday’s damage. Troops were on duty in Johnstown, Pittsburgh and many; other points. Renewed rains brought new danger to Binghamton, N. Y., which was flooded by the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers and its water supply cut off. The Susquehanna was out of its banks all through central Pennsylvania, flooding scores of cities and towns. Philadelphia began to feel the flood when the Delaware and Schuylkill, rising rapidly, overflowed low sections. In New England, the Connecticut Valley’s fertile farmlands and industrial cities from Vermont to southern Connecticut were flooded. Breaking of a dam loosed a 15-foot wall of water in the Blackstone -Valley. Hartford, Conn., faced an imminent power failure. At 1 p. m. the situation in principal flood areas was: PENNSYLVANIA—Forty-four dead. Water swiftly receding from Pittsburgh, leaving untold damage. Nearby McKees Rocks on Ohio River, under water. Johnstown starts digging out of mud and debris. Situation in western Pennsylvania generally improving. Wilkes-Barre, Columbia, Maria etta, Holtwood and scores of other central Pennsylvania towns on Susquehanna River flooded and water still rising. Delaware and Schuylkill rising in East. Philadelphia lowlands under water. WEST f VIRGINIA ,AND SOUTHWESTERN OHIO— Sixteen dead in Wheeling, W. Va., three others in nearby Ohio. Full force of Ohio River flood sweeping on Wheeling. Much of city under water. Two main bridges unsafe and closed. Steubenville, 0., has three cases of typhoid. Steel mills and other large industries in tri-state district closed. Cities farther down Ohio Valley p epared for floods later this week and next week. NEW ENGLAND—Twenty-two dead. Connecticut Valley flooded from Vermont, through Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke and Springfield, Mass., and on into Connecticut. Water at Hartford, Conn., up to doors of telephone office; power failure feared. Hundreds driven out of West Hartford. Seventy United States sailors and much Coast Guard equipment sent to Northampton to aid rescuers. Workers labor to protect Holyoke and Springfield industries. Some sections already under water. Dam breaks near Uxbridge, Mass., releasing 15-foot wall of water into Blackstone Valley in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Basements flooded in Haverhill, Mass., as Merrimack River threatens to exceed record peak. Heavy rains indicate New England floods may be worse tomorrow. NEW YORK—Rain brings new peril to Binghamton, already flooded by Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. Work desperately to restore water supply. Other towns in southcentral section of state flooded. Hudson inundates low sections of Troy and other river towns. MARYLAND, VIRGINIA AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA—Raging Potomac, receding in Cumberland, sweeps lowlands farther down the valley and rising rapidly in national capital. Washington airports, waterfront buildings and tidal* basin with its famous cherry trees flooded.

FINAL HOME PRICE THREE CENTS