Arizona republican., 1913-03-29
Leading Citizens Insist Not More Than Two Hundred PeIished While Under takers Run Figures up to Over Eight Hundred
TAKE BODIES TO
 GEN ERAL MORGUE E.
Believed Now That Regular City Water Will Soon Be Turned on and That Re building of Sewer System Will Begin Quickly
IAssoctArEp PRESS DIsPArcH1

SOUTH DAYTON, March 2S-The Dayton loss of life probably will not exceed two hundred. This estimate is based in the personal canvass of almost one hundred of Dayton's leading citi- zens who have been engaged in relief and rescue work in every section of the city since the waters invaded the business district.
 Flight hundred dead is the average estimate of seven eighths of Dayton's undertakers who were called together for conference tonight. It is reported that eighty-two bodies have been re- covered Individual estimates of the undertakers run from five hundred to one thousand. but the consensus of opinion is that eight hundred would be a conservative figure. Exploration of several recesses of the city today by the newspaper men would hardly justi- fy such an estimate.
 Orders were issued that all bodies be brought to the general morgue es- tablished in a garage. This has not been needed as less than half the num- Der of bodies found, according 10 the undertakers. had been brought there tonight There is keen competition among the undertakers in possession of unidentified bodies and many were taken to the undertaking establish nents not under water. Thirty under takers were present at the meeting and all are said To have based their es- inmates of the dead on q general sur Vey of the situation.
 The property loss here, tangible and real probably will not exceed fifty mil lion dollars. This includes the damag 10 real estate, public works. personal property. manufacturing. mercantile, jewellers stocks and public utilities equipment.
 The loss of life is confined almost entirely to North Dayton inhabited by foreigners and laborers West Dayton which comprises districts of more substantial character and Riverdale In Dayton View and other residence dis tricts there was almost no loss of life
 Daytons period of reconstruction will run into months. according to en- gineers. The disposition of dead ami mals and the dininfecting of thous- ands of submerged homes. presented pressing problems. No attempt for the rebuilding of the sewerage system will be made for several days. Until this is accomplished the menace of disea SC is not to be lost sight of. Because of the strict martial law. only under ex- traordinary circumstances are persons permitted on the streets after six o'clock.
 Reports of footing in the Centra Dayton district persisted. but the in stances are believed to be few. One man who is said to have filled severa suit cases with jewelry was arrested Reports that several looters were sho are not confirmed. A bulletin issued by the citizens relief committee gave particular warning against disease. II is announced that an attempt will bt made to start the city's water supply tomorrow. After the meeting of the undertakers the unidentified bodie. which have been held at the undertak ing establishments were brought to tn. general morgue.
 Rush currents claimed the greates toll Of lives, judging from the posi- tions of the bodies. Most of these wer washed to the banks of the rivers O were found buried in the debris. I'm body of an infant one day old wa found in a gutter The body of mai seventy years old was found claspet in the arms of his dead wife.