The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-12
EAST sr 1O1rIs CONDITIONS.


Serious is the situation on the Fast Side due 10
the high water of the week nearing its close, there
IL no reason why the people of East 81, Louis should
be troubled over the permanent effect of the food
The future of East ST. Louis Is ns bright with
promise of progress and prosperity as 1t was peiore
the swelling waters of the Mississippi proved 100
strong To be resisted by the lcvecs and bikes which
nave long offered adequate protection The SO
rics aud pictures present flood reveal unusual
scenes il is true, hut nowhere in the presentation ~
there suggestion of any loss which will not be repaired
quickly when the river returns to It's normal level
The confident contemplation of experienced eyes
that have studied and analysed earlier Mississippi
floods noting ut their subsistence how swift was the
recovery of the flooded districts, encourages a firm
conviction that East St Louis will be itself again In Il
mary clously shor, time
In the first place 4, must be remembered that only
the southern section of the town has materially suf-
fcrcd from the flood The greater portion of East ST.
Louis is in fairly good condition Flood damages along
inland rivers always worse than they are. Inc
extent of the disaster tremendously overestimacd
In the public mind An overflow suggests ruin to
those who never saw similar spectacle. But. as the
rctircs. everything is pretty much as 1t was be-
fore.
In the case of East st. Louis the truth is already
APPARENT that affairs do not resemble disaster though
the conditions such us TO demand for the poorer
people the helpful sympathy of the outside world In
the excitement IL mt first believed that there had
been Il lamcntable less of life, but il is now known
that the fatalities have been few. Similarly 1t will he
found when the waters rccedc that the 0fhand csti-
mates damage property have been greatly exag-
cera and the task of repair will be readily ac-
complishcd. is necessary to minimize the real
extent of the food disasters in order to reach
this conclusion neither is 1t merely stubborn and I'M
reasoning optimism which justifcs it, The facts in the
case MS they will he developed within few days
after tho river has fallen It's usual volume. will fur
nish tho ultimate convincing argument to this effect.
Courage and confidence will bring about speedy
restoration of thriving business il before the
high water. The healthy and powerful interests
that prevailed 10 upbuid East ST. Louis still the
potent factors OF industrial construction and for
in East ST. Louis and will remain there leading agei-
cics In the energetic work of rehabilitation The same
practical business and manufacturing influences that
we're part of East St Louis life when the flood came
will be an even more aggressive and helpful part
of that life now that the flood will have gone.
The one thing certain is that the East st. Louis
protng by the lesson Of the past week will hereafter
he so firmly bulwarked against the Mississippi that
repetition of that lesson of disaster will he rendered
impossible This is the great good that will come out
Of evil The East st. Louis, fiourshnG. indomta
bic safe against future foods will he the sure and
logical development of the present situation big
fire in any city OF the size would cause greater
permanent loss than East St Louis has suffered from
the Notwithstanding high of 1864 repetition OF
which will happen for twenty years and will find
| 4 fully protected town when it does happen