The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-02-04
AID FOR GORGE
WRECKED TOWN.
Legislature Rushes Through Bill
Appropriatlng $4,000.
COMMITTEE VISITS THE SCENE:

Relief for the people of Port Deposit In
their distress land loss from the recent
flood was on Friday provided by the
General Assembly in the passage Of a bill
appropriating $4,000 for that purpose,
being, rushed through both chambers by
suspension of the rules. An engrossed
copy was at once taken to Governor
Crothers for his signature, and the money
is now at the disposal of the stricken city.
Prepared and introduced by Mr.. Bepson,
the bill provided for placing $4,000 at the
disposal Of the Board of Public Works of
Maryland and Senator Jesse D. Price,
chairman of the Committee on Finance.
and Carville D. Benson, chairman of the
Committee on Ways and Means. This
sum, says the measure, is to be used ito
relieve cases Of. destitution and ned and
employees may be enlisted in the work as
needed.
On the bill being referred to the Com
mittee on Ways and Means, Mr.. Benson
asked that the committee be permitted to
withdraw for meeting, and within five
minutes the bill was returned with APP
proval. In quick succession, suspension
| Of the rules and roilcalls followed, until
the bill was passed, when it was sent over
to the Senate chamber. There, equal
celerity marked its progress. and only
few minutes was required to prepare a
copy for Governor Crothers. who imme-
diately signed the document.
The special committee of the Legislature
visited Port Deposit Friday on tour of
inspection of the damage done. This
committee consisted of Senator Charles A.
Andrews, of Hartford county, and
Delegates w. F. King. of Worcester;
Henry A. Osborn, of Hartford. and
Charles Main, and Secretary Leon Hecht.
After the inspection short conference
was held with Mayor.D. R. Armstrong,
and others active in the relief work in the
offices of the Jacob Tome estate.
The committee was met at Perryville
/ by committee of residents of Port De-
posit. The trip along the river was q
succession of surprises and wonderment.
Astonishment was expressed by the meme
bere at the sight of the masses of ice piled
along the tracks of the Pennsylvania
Railroad.
The attention of the committee was
called to house after house which had
been destroyed In many instances the
ice was still jammed up TO the second
story windows of the homes, while the
occupants, leaving their furniture and
clothing, had fed to places of safety.
Before making the inspection, the MEM
bers were taken to the Jacob Tome Insti-
tute, where they were given a luncheon
! by the officials of the school. After this
an inspection of the damage tot the town
was made. Soon the end Of all paths
had been reached and the members were
! forced to climb at times over ice 80 feet
thigh.
Regardless of pitfalls, the committee,
led bytMayor Armstrong struggled on
ward to the end of the town, distance of
more than half mile. FL ss
The joint committee. at the session of
the Legislature on Monday night SUBJ
mitted its report.
The report recited that after careful
inspection of the ice gorge and food
stricken town, it found conditions much
worse than anticipated and said that the
State should undoubtedly come to the aid
of the sufferers. The committee paid a
tribute to the mayor of Port Deposit, and
the local relief committee as body of
substantial business men fully to be
trusted in the relief work. The report
was ordered filed and copy sent TO the
State Boardof Public Works, which will
aid in expending the $4,000 appropriation.
The Board of County Commissioners in
special session. Thursday of last week.
voted to appropriate $I2oo to the town of
Port Deposit, to help repair the damage
done by the ice gorge.
Treasurer Bond of the relief committee
reports that he now has total of $Is4r
in the relief fund, subscribed from vari-
Gus people in the State. He is of the
opinion that with the $4,000 which the
State has given for relief the town can
get on its feet once more.
Contributions of clothing, food, etc.,
have also been received from various
sources.
After an investigation by Ernest P.
Bicknell, its agent, the National Society
of the Red Cross has come to the con-
clusion that its aid is not necessary in
Port Deposit.
The first train over the Columbia &
Port Deposit Railroad since the ice gorge
was run up from Perryville as far as Port
Deposit on Thursday evening of last
week A large number of men are still
at work. Trains began running through
on Sunday.
Since the gorge many of the residents
of Port Deposit, have been leaving their
houses wide open in order to allow the
air pass through them and thus dry up
the water left by the flood. AS result a
number of robberies have occurred. AS
yet no arrests have been made,
The town is rapidly recovering from the
effects of the severe flood and ice gorge.
A large force of men is at work cleaning
up streets.
With the railroad running on schedule.
there is now no danger of nncb eufFar;rr.