The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-03-31
DAYTON Relief
WORK GOES ON
Situation Well in Hand, Says
Chairman Patterson, Of
Committee In Charge.
WORK BEGUN
Food for 10000 Necessary for Week.
More Supplies Are Wanted,
but No Sightseers.

Dayton, Ohio, March 30-John r. Pat
terson, chairman Of the Dayton Relief
Committee. held a consultation this
evening with the heads Of the relief divi-
sions, sanitary officers, military author
titles and representatives of the press,
who have been scattered today through
out the entire city. At the end Of the
meeting he gave out the Following state
ment:
The entire situation is now COM
pletely in hand. Thanks to the prompt
action of President Wilson in co-operat-
ing with us in sending Secretary Of War
Garrison, Gen. Leonard Wood, Surg. Gen.
Rupert Blue and his associates to us, the
work of cleaning up the city is proceed
ing satisfactorily.
Immediately upon the arrival OF the
Secretary Of War, Gov. Cox promptly ad-
vised him by telephone to use his own
Judgment in appointing chief sanitary
officer.
City in Sanitary Districts.
Maj Thomas L. Rhoades, who was
appointed chief sanitary officer, has di-
vided the entire city into sixteen dis
tricts, each in charge of a district SAM
tary officer and each sanitary officer
has his own staff selected from among
local physicians and volunteer physicians
from other cities.
instructions in brief form have been
sent broadcast over the city. giving def
mite directions to the inhabitants for the
safeguarding Of health. The sewers and
water systems are rapidly being opened
and will probably be in complete work.
ing order tomorrow.
"The telegraph and telephone COM
panies have been rushing operators
into the city, but so far have been
utterly unable to handle all the tele-
grams received asking for informa-
ton. This has been particularly hard
on relatives OF Dayton people, but to
relieve the anxiety as far as possible,
conservative estimates of the dead in
dictate that the number will not total
more than 200.
Need More Supplies
I'VE will have 10000 people to feed
for a week. We will have 10000 peo-
pie who will have BE fed and clothed
for several weeks. and eventually
financed in order that they may be
re-established in housekeeping.
I'VE are in fairly good shape as far
as clothing is concerned, but could use
more underwear, blankets, shoes and
stoves.
Whatever food should be sent should
be imperishable. The suffering through
out the city is very much relieved and
with the organization tndC we HOW nave
everyone Will soon be properly clothed
and housed. No particular sickness has
been reported beyond the normal sick
rate. There are enough doctors in the
city to take care OF all medical work.
We are also fairly well supplied with
nurses. although nurses competent to act
as instructors would be welcomed.
Little Flood Insurance
THE city has suffered a greater finan-
cial loss by the flood than it would had
fire swept the same area. as there
was practically no insurance carried in
the city against flood.
Perfect order is being maintained, and
the city will remain under martial law
indefinitely.
THE train service is improving, al
though 1t will be quite some time be-
fore there will be any regular train
schedules.
Dayton does not want sightseers. The
militia is impressing sightseers, as well
as citizens, into service. Any one who
comes as a sightseer may have to as
sist in cleaning the streets and aiding
in sanitary relief work.