Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-30
FLOODS CAUSE DAMAGE
TO AUTO TIRE WORKS
Akron Factories Badly Dam
aged by Water-LocaI Deal.
ers Bring Flood Stories.

With the receding of the waters in the
Buckeye state, informa ton is arriving in
Washington concerning conditions at the
various tire and rubber plants at Akron
Ohio.
r.. A. Garlock, manager of the Impe-
rial Motor Company, returned Thursday
noon from a flying trip to Akron. He left
this city last Monday evening at 6 o'clock
and was unable to get into Akron by
reason of the flood Getting within TWEEN
ty-one miles of his destination. he left
the train and drove eighteen miles in a
carriage in the direction of Akron. When
within about three miles Of the city he
was compelled to leave his carriage and
walk the remainder of the distance.
Bridges were washed away in every
direction" he said Yesterday, in speaking
OF the flood conditions, land when final
iy entered the city proper 1t was over a
small, narrow bridge which was being
repaired by the firemen, policemen and
militia. 1t was frail and swinging in
midair with the assistance of strong
cables. and only one person at time
was permitted to cross it, and then only
those who had business In the city. The
city was without electric lights, while
the electric cars remained in exactly the
same position as when the storm broke
The streets were full of strikers and
strikebreakers, many of whom occupied
the street cars to sleep and lounge in
during the night.
Conditions at Akron.
Akron is surrounded by seven lakes,
two Of which are used as reservoirs.
One Of these broke just before my ar
rival, and in order to relieve the
strain on the other one the fire plugs
were opened on every street 1t was
quite sight to witness streams Of
water pouring from the fire plugs at
every turn flooding the streets. The
Goodyear plant was eighteen feet I'M
der water, and it will probably be
about three weeks before the company
Will be able to turn out a tire. The
kelly-Sprihgfield plant was slightly
under water. while the Swinehart
plant was unable to operate because
the water had Quilted the furnaces and
put the boilers out of commission. It
was necessary, also, to remove all the
DOCKS and papers to upper floors.
Work will be resumed, however as
soon as conditions will permit. In
o'clock. rained constantly during
my stay there and the scene was, In
deed, dismal one
Joseph NJ Stoddard of the Cook &
Stoddard Company likewise returned
from the flood districts Thursday noon,
after an eventful trip. He left Wash
ington last Monday evening at Gas
o'clock. arriving in Cleveland the next
morning. Leaving there that evening
| he arrived in Detroit Wednesday, and
departed the same afternoon for home.
Instead of returning via the same
route he was compelled to continue
into Canada, returning via Buffalo He
saw the flood conditions all along the
route. and observed them particularly
at Cleveland and vicinity. Every
where the lowlands and roadways
were inundated, with the tree tops
turn trip he noticed the Susquehanna
river, which was over, it's banks at
many points He said he was glad
when he pulled into the Union station
in this city, although a few hours late.
Word was received in this city yes
terday that the plant Of the Firestone
Rubber Company escaped the floods at
Akron by reason of being situated on
high grounds, and that the plant will
continue to operate on a twenty four
hour basis
Marooned In Indiana.
A telegram was received yesterday aft
ernoon from John Harry Miller of the
automobile firm of the Miller Company,
stating that 1t was impossible to leave
Indianapolis, Ind, as the bridges were
all washed away and no trains running.
Harry s. Elkins, local representative Of
the Esterline Electric Company, with Of
fees at 7:35 18th street northwest, Mr.
Miller stated in the same telegram. was
marooned at Lafayette, Indf He conclud
ed his telegram by stating that Outside
of this everything was all right
Mr.. Miller left Washington Saturday,
March 22. accompanied by J. B. Flick,
George G. Humphrey and Harry s.
Elkins. all of this city. They left to visit
the factory where the Stutz car is made,
for which Mr.. Miller is representative In
Washington. The entire party expected
to leave Indianapolis Tuesday last and
proceed to this city. Mrs. Miller has also
been advised of the predicament of her
husband In the west.