Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 January 1937 — Page 1

The Indianapolis Times

FORECAST—

Fair today; lowest temperature tonight about 15; fair with rising temperature tomorrow.

EXTRA

SCRIPPS — HOWARD

VOLUME 48—NUMBER 275

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1937

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

PRICE THREE CENTS

GOVERNOR FEARFUL EVACUATION OF EVANSVILLE MAY BE NECESSARY SUPER FLOOD ON

MISSISSIPPI IS ARMY FORECANT

U5. DEMANDS OPEN ROADS TO ‘POCKET’ AREA

Request Made as River Continues Vanderburgh County Rise.

REFUGEE TRAIN DEPARTS

Crest of 54 Feet Expected Tomorrow; 700 Troops In Area.

By United Press EVANSVILLE, Ind. Jan. 26.— The National Guard has ordered all business suspended in flooded Evansville, except for sale of re- | lief. supplies, food and fuel and clothing, it was reported here today. National Guardsmen enforced martial law.

By SAM TYNDALL Times Staff Writer

EVANSVILLE, Ind. Jan. 26.—U. S. Army engineers today urged all relief agencies working here to keep open “at all costs” highways leading to

higher land. The river, reading today was 51.7 feet and was reported by engineers to be rising one-tenth of a foot an hour. A crest of between 54 and 55

2 doing 8 duty. Approximately 700 troops now are on duty in this area.

Keep Roads Open

Army engineers announced that they were beginning at once a program to keep open all main highways leading into the city. Rafts capable of transporting a three-ton truck are to be built and placed at sections of the highways which have been inundated, it was reported. It was reported without confirmation that the sewers in the southeast and downtown sections of the city were in bad shape and that immediate steps would have to be taken to prevent undermining of downtown office buildings. Army engineers made a survey of the sewers yesterday. ® Relief officials said there was some concern about one downtown sewer : (Turn to Page Five)

TIMES FEATURES _ ON INSIDE PAGES

12 13 11 11 19. 10 12 11 18 19 11

Bob Burns ... 2 BOOKS ..vvees:11 Bridge ...... 8 Broun .sc..ov 12 Clapper 11 Comics ...... 18 Crossword ... 18 Curious World 19 ~ Editorials +... 12 Fashions .... 8 Financial .... 16 Fishbein ..... 11 Flynn 16 Forum ...... 12 Grin, Bear It. 18 Jane Jordan.. 8

Merry-Go-R'd Movies Mrs. Ferguson Mrs. Roosevelt Music .... Obituaries ... Pegler ..cse.s Pyle ..... Questions Radio Scherrer .... Serial Story.. 18 Short Story.. 18 Society «ce... 9 Sports .e..... 14 State Deaths. 10

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SUMMARY OF STATE

Boonville.

175 families homeless. taken against looting.

health measures taken.

DERBY—Entire village flooded.

apolis.’ taken from homes.

JEFFERSONVILLE—Water

mined by flood waters.

power in city.

Red Cross supplies. Rockport boats.

from drowning. MILLSTONE—Flooded.

town.

food and medical supplies. boats.

ter.

ings.

Naphtha floating on water.

efforts.

AURORA—State police report rise in river stops. section inundated. Drinking water being obtained from cisterns.

BULLOCKTOWN—One man left in town; Water five to 15 feet deep.

CANNELTON—Isolated, most of industrial section under- water; about Typhoid fever inoculations given.

NEW ALBANY-—Drinking water shortage. pump water out of basements of hospital and two emergency hospitals which threatens to put out fire in heating plants.

NEWBURGH—About three hundred homeless as flood inundates

Whole business

200 rescued and taken to

Precautions

CHARLESTOWN—Outbreak of whooping cough reported; emergency

DEER CREEK—Completely flooded.

EVANSVILLE—Hospital train with 150 patients to leave for IndianAll business reported ordered stopped by National Guard. More Threatened sewer breakdown reported.

HATFIELD—Residents being moved out; town under water.

supply thousand refugees already evacuated. Business buildings reported’

considered hazardous, Ten nder-

LAWRENCEBURG—River rise unoffically reported at standstill. Water supply holding. Flood water one inch from only generator furnishing

LEAVENWORTH—Every building flooded.

MADISON—Half the town under water. still functioning. Attempting to contact Carrollton, Ky., by boat to get

Water supply and lights

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MIDLAND—Refugees being taken from second floors by Chrhney and Livestock in surrounding area being butchered to save

-

Pumps requested to

OWENSBORO, KY.—Setting up short wave radio today. Calls for Red Cross in charge.

Desperate need for

PATRIOT—Only the roof-tops of this little town are now above waSchool building is the only place of safety.

RICHLAND—Town evacuated as flood waters fill buildings. ROME—Still unreported; known to be flooded. RISING SUN—Completely under water.

TELL CITY—An additional two-foot river rise will evacuation. One-third of 500 inhabitants how quartered in public buildSeven scarlet fever cases reported; Red Cross convoy of serum awaited. Five Indianapolis street flusher racks provide drinking water.

force further

TOBINSPORT—Exact condition unreported; known to be flooded. TROY—One hundred of 500 residents evacuated.

UTICA—Five hundred and seventy inhabitants - resist evacution Say they'll leave homes only on order of Federal Government.

YANKEETOWN—Residents moved to Boonville. Town under water.

Residents of Stricken Metropolis.

By NOBLE REED Times Staff Writer

WITH U., S. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, LOUISVILLE, Jan. 26. —1I have more than $80~n my pocket and I can’t buy a bed or a shave in Louisville. I haven't lain down since Saturday night. 1 can buy only a limited amount of food, and that at excessive prices. Every time I get a chance I stuff my pockets with candy bars. You can buy a piece of bread for a quarter, without butter. A sumptuous dinner—coffee, a slice (Turn to Page Two)

Louisville Relief Forces Race Time to Save 20,000

$50 Offer for Bed Amuses.

Planes Used to Remove Invalids From Zone Of Danger.

By United Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. Jan. 26. — Troops, police and volunteers raced against time and angry water today in an attempt to save 20,000 persons still marooned in their homes before the crest of the Ohio River flood strikes tonight or tomorrow. Meantime another army of doctors, nurses anc volunteers fought disease and hunger in hospitals, hotel, armories and airplane hangars. Food and medica! supplies were brought in by airplane. In(Turn to Page Two)

the American Red Cross here.

Give to the Red Cross! E

Johnson ..... 12 | Wiggam ..... 19

Mile-of-Dimes Flood Fund

In response to the spontaneous requests of many citizens, The Times today starts its Mile-of-Dimes—this time not for Christmas but for flood relief. The money will be turned over to

Give to the Mile-of-Dimes!

2

Five hours after the opening of Milelof-Pimes, Indianapolis citizens had laid $167 in silver on the first 100-foot line.

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2

EVEN A GOOD MUDDER WOULD LOSE HERE .

The Ohio River

WATER CRISIS |S THREATENED AT CINCINNATI

Heavy Drains Made on Supply in Reservoirs Despite Rigid Rationing.

CITY ONE-FIFTH COVERED

Nonintoxicating Liquid in

Bottles Is in Demand.

By United Press CINCINNATI, Jan. 26.—An acute water shortage threatened this flood-wracked city today, though one-fifth of its area was covered by the brackish flood waters of the Ohio. Already one-fourth of the small supply of safe water in the reservoirs had been used despite rigid rationing, and trucks brought in fresh, clean water from upstate Ohio points. Soft drinks, distilled water, carbonated water, any form of nonintoxicating liquid in bottles were in demand. The distilled water was being reserved for hospitals. Water was being turned into the city mains for two one-hour periods daily, but the pressure was so low that water barely dripped from faucets. The curtailed water supply also provided a dangerous sanitation problem.

Early today, the Ohio had been :

practically stationary for several hours at 80 feet, its highest level in history, bringing hope that the orest had passed and it soon would begin to recede. It was the city’s third day under an emergency dictatorship.

MEMPHIS ALARMED BY DELUGE THREAT

Record-Breaking Stage for Mississippi Predicted.

By United Press MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 26.—Fear that a record-breaking flood was approaching Memphis was expressed today by U. S. Army engineers, who predicted the Mississippi would reach a stage of 55 feet by Sunday or Monday. That mark would be 10 feet higher than ever before. Such a tremendous volume of waLer undoubtedly would partially isolate lower portions of the city and cause wholesale evacuation of persons living in the mid-South area,

already suffering from overflowing

waters of the Mississippi's tributaries. Memphis, a major portion of which is high on the Chickasaw Bluffs and in the past immune to floods, was alarmed.

CITY’S FIRST WIRE PHOTOS SUCCESSFUL

For the first time in the newspicture history of Indianapolis, pictures today were transmitted from here by telephone wire to the Cleveland office of Acme and NEA Newspictures, Inc. Field apparatus brought here from Cincinnati was set up in the office

of The Indianapolis Times in less|

than one hour. The first picture was transmitted successfully to Cleveland in 3 minutes, 25 seconds. The apparatus will remain here

during the flood emergency.

Mothers Plead For News of Lost Children

By MARJORIE BINFORD WOODS

2 To see the real flood tragedy, walk through the Union Station after the arrival of a refugee train, Here

frantic mothers, separated from their children, are pleading with strangers tor information. The evacuation of Indiana river towns is being accomplished so quickly that families are being scattered. There is fright in the eyes of refugees who climb stifly off relief trains here. They have seen a surging Ohio River tear at their homes, have huddled together. in tall buildings as waters crept higher, and have learned the meanings of the words “hunger” and “thirst.” If you have seen pictures of civilians fleeing from a war zone, you know how Yhgse people look and act. There are no social distinctions in a flood. People of all classes and types are searching for Red Cross (Turn to Page Four)

RISE STOPS IN LAWRENGEBURG

Unofficial Check Shows Increase Overnight; - Power Periled.

No

By HERBERT LEWIS | Times Staff Writer

IN LAWRENCEBURG-AURORA SECTOR, Jan. 26.—The Ohio has stopped its rise in Lawrenceburg, the Citizens Committee announced jubilantly today after an unofficial check. It has not risen since 12:30 a. m. today, they said after inspecting a gauge in the rear of Seagram Distillery, their headquarters. Water has climbed to within one inch of ti.e generator at Seagrams, supplying the town's only power. Plant engineers said the check in the river’s rise might be due to local current conditions. More than 1000 persons were taken from Lawrenceburg yesterday, according to the National Guard, io Greensburg, Batesville, Shelbyville and other points. The Red Cross is moving into new quarters, and the Seagram distillery is cleaning up, preparing to resume operation soon. Supervises Red Cross Miss Grace Ewing, Shelbyville, has taken charge of all nursing activities in the southeastern Indiana flood area, with headquarters here. She reported yesterday to Thomas M. Kehoe, Washington, Red Cross official. A report that four persons were killed here when a building caved in was denied today by Maj. Walter Fowler, Frankfort, guard leader here. Although some ill persons have been evacuated, there still are 50 bed cases in hospitals here.

TEMPERATURE DROP TO 15 FORECAST HERE

- HOURLY TEMPERATURES 6a m..: 12 10am... 1 7a m... 22 8 a. m... 22 .9 a. m... 24

13 1s 15

11 a. m. 12 (Noon) 1p m...

Fair weather today with temperatures dipping as low as 15 tonight, was forecast for Indianapolis by the Weather Bureau. Fair with rising temperature, was the forecast for tomorrow.

EVANSVILLE RESIDENTS

WILLING TO USE 790,000,000 INFLOOD AREA

President Tells House He Is Ready to Allot Entire Fund if Necessary.

MEASURE IS PUSHED

Lower Branch Hopes to Pass Emergency Appropriations Before Nightfall.

By United Press

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.—President Roosevelt is prepared to allot the entire $790,000,000 emergency relief appropriation for flood relief “if necessary,” Chairman James PF. Buchanan of the Appropriations Committee told the House of Representatives today. His announcement brought cheers from the floor. The announcement came as the Red Cross estimated that 70,000 persons now have been driven from their homes by the surging flood waters which have ravaged an 1800mile section of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.

Grayson Asks $10,000,000

So serious is the flood disaster considered that Admiral Cary T. Grayson, head of the Red Cross, increased his plea for public contributions from $4,000,000 to $10,000,000. “Flood suffering has reached unprecedented proportions,” Admiral Grayson Said, “with relief needs steadily mounting.” Chairman Buchanan, leading off the Administration drive to pass the relief appropriation before nightfall, said that the President told him and Speaker William B. Bahkhead that “if necessity demanded he will allot every cent of the appropriation to alleviate flood suffering.”

570 UTICA RESIDENTS RESIST EVAGUATION

Declare They Will Leave Only on Federal Order.

By HEZE CLARK Times Staff Writer UTICA, Ind. Jan. 26.—Five hundred and seventy inhabitants of this flood-ravaged village today resisted all evacuation efforts. They declared they would desert their homes only on orders of the Federal Government. Already 467 of the 570 inhabitants are refugees from their homes, nearly all of which have been engulfed by the muddy, yellow water of the angry Ohio. Still these people of the old-time river town stoutly refuse to leave the school building and Methodist Church where they are housed. Rising waters have cut off every avenue of escape except the Charles(Turn to Page Five)

For Refugees

Dr. Verne K. Harvey, State Board of Health director, today urged all flood refugees housed in private homes in Indianapolis to report immediately to the Robert W. Long Hospital for free typhoid inoculation.

All in Cairo Ovlerol Moved to Places of Safety.

By United Press

Army engineers warned

|today that the greedy Ohio,

generating a “super flood” in the Mississippi Valley, would rise another foot from Huntington, W. Va., to Cairo, Ill., by tomorrow, heightening the peril of 700,000 refugees plagued already by disease, hunger and fear in 11 flooded states.

With 83 persons already known to be dead and scores more believed drowned, the rise would endanger thousands of persons marooned in flood-battered buildings or stranded behind straining levees. An expected crest of 59.5 feet at Cairo, Ill, to within six ‘inches of the top of the flood wall on which 4000" men were working in a frantic effort to prevent its collapse. So threatening did the situation become that city authorities ordered the town’s 10,000 women and children removed to places of safety. As the last of the refugees left, geysers of muck and water shot from streets near the levee, created by pressure from the river. The only dry spots for Louisville's 200,000 homeless if the stream reaches an expected crest of 57.5 feet will be a small area downtown near City Hall and in Crescent Hill and the Highlands, residential sections. A crest of 81 feet was forecast for Cincinnati where for a time today the stream was stationary at 80 feet. The National Guard at Evansville, Ind., ordered suspension of business except for sale of relief supplies, food, fuel and clothing, as the Ohio roared toward an expected crest of 55 feet. Police at Louisville were ordered to shoot looters on sight as food and other supplies ran low. Authorities contemplated confiscation of focd, clothing and gasoline.

Work Feverishly

Police and volunteers worked feverishly to rescue 20,000 persons still marooned in Louisville before the crest strikes. As the situation became hourly more alarming President Roosevelt, Congress and the Red Cross moved to pour additional millions into the work of relief. The President, Chairman James P. Buchanan of the House Appropriations Committee said, is prepared to allot the entire $790,000,000 Emergency: Relief Appropriation to the ravaged area “if necessary.” Admiral Cary T. Grayson, head of the Red Cross, increased the organization’s goal of contributions from $4,000,000 to $10,000,000. “Flood suffering has reached unprecedented proportions,” he said. Nearly 100,000 Federal workers from the CCC, PWA, the Army and Navy, the Coast Guard and the Resettlement Administration, were engaged in relief service. The Coast Guard supplied nearly 400 boats and 13 amphibian airplanes. The Arkansas Legislature empowered Governor Carl F. Bailey to

(Turn to Page Two)

would bring the stream

Federal and State Forces Join Hands - In Emergency.

By JOE COLLIER

Governor Townsend ane nounced this afternoon that “it may be necessary to evacs uate nearly 100,000 persons from Evansville.” To prepare for the existing emergency and the post-flood rehabilitation, the State and Federal Governments have joined forces, he said.

He named William Book, execu= tive vice president of the Indiane apolis Chamber of Commerce, as purchasing and disbursing agent for all state flood relief and rehabilita= tion supplies. Headquariers will be in WPA offices on Senate Ave. Governor Townseid said he had begun arrangements with Harry Hopkins, WPA director, to share exe pense on erection of tent cities when rehabilitation work begins. Reconstruction expense may be cove ered by direct Federal money grants, he added.

Red Cross Reports $65,132

As the State Government took charge of the major job, all of Ine diana continued to open purses, homes and larders for the 70,000 Hoosier homeless from the Ohio River Valley. The Red Cross chapter here reported total receipts of $65,132 at 10 a. m. Public and private cnarities organized on a city-wide basis to collect food. clothing and money and to prepare accominodations for refugees. Possible rain or snow in the southern Indiana flood area this afternoon was seen as a new danger by weather observers. Rising tems peratures and rain, sleet or snow, was the forecast for tomorrow. The State Public Health Depart= ment collected large quantities of

‘| serums and other medicines and

sent them, with field agents, into the area. Federal health agents were in the field. The health situation, in spite of occasional contagious disease .ree ports, was reported as good by Dr. Verne K. Harvey, State Health Director. ne

Troops Dispatched Ft. Benjamin Harrison dispatched troops and equipment to Louisville where Federal military rule may be established today. Informed that President Roosevelt ¢ today had ordered additional Army units into the flood zone, Ft. Harrie son headquarters said they had not been notified. Another infantry battalion and an artillery battalion still are at the post. Trains bearing refugees proceeded without schedule from the stricken area. When they were filled they started. These people were taken off a% cities along the tracks where ac~ commodations were ready for them, Maj. Gen. Robert H. Tyndall, in" direct charge of the 3000 Indiana National Guard in flood duty, was

somewhere in the flood area.

A hospital train was reported leaving this afternoon from Evanse ville with 150 patients taken from hospitals there. Seventy-five of these were to be taken to City Hose (Turn to Page Two)

MOVE OUT OF DANGER ZONE , + 4 0 4 neste ge