The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-04-04
BEGIN WORK OF
REBUILDING OMAHA
WRECKED HOMES TO BE RE-
STORED AS FAST AS WoRKMEN
CAN BE SECURED.
Restoration Committee to Provide
Funds for Those Who Were Bank
rupted by Destructive Tornado and
Would otherwise be Homeless.

Omaha, Neb.-The work Of rebuild !
ing that portion of the cry wrecked
by the tornado of March 20 has begun
in earnest, and every available work
man has been pressed into service.
one hundred and twenty-five dead
have been identified in this city.
while Council Bluffs and other adj
jacent cities report forty-fve, making
a total of ITO lives lost as a result OF
the destructive storm.
At least 1000 people suffered Sc
we're financial loss, many being made
homeless, and at least 260 lost every
thing they possessed and are abso-
lutely destitute.
The city of Omaha was one of the
heaviest losers, while the losses of
many of the weather. citizens was
enormous. The total monetary loss
will be between ten and twelve mil
lion dollars.
Nearly thousand carpenters went
to work Friday repairing the buildings
only partly wrecked by the storm, and
1000 laborers began clearing away the
debris of demolished structures. Hun
dreds of roofs were being restored
and the work of replacing many homes
to the foundations from which they
had been twisted was begun.
That the destroyed portion of the
city will be rebuilt better than ever
was the general impression, and the
alacrity with which the task was be
gun bears out that belief.
Members of the various building
trades unions held meeting Friday and
Il was decided that any attempt to
raise the price of labor at this time
would not be countenanced. The reg
liar scales of wages in vogue among
-hese unions were made public, with
he statement that any attempt at ex-
tortion would be frowned upon by the
| unions.
Large corporations have begun to
! open their purses freely. The Inter
national Harvester company sent
check for $1,000, with the statement
that it would be glad to help Ne
brsaka farmers in the storm-ravaged
districts. The Union Pacific, North
western and Rock Island railroads
have sent $4,000 each to the commit
tee, and the large packing house in
/ terests have made liberal donations.
The fund, including appropriations
by the state and city, has reached
S260,0O0
An army of builders continue their
work and hundreds of new and par
TALLY new roofs and other indications
Of reconstruction have begun to APP
pear.
The appearance of crooks from all
parts of the country is being met by
the police and soldiery in no uncer-
tain manner. Stricter lines are being
drawn and soldiers now do patrol
duty with loaded rifles and six-shoot-
ers in their belts Arrests are made
of all suspicious characters and loot
ing is being held at a minimum
The general relief committee issued
the following formal statement:
"The general relief committee in
the city of Omaha has matters well in
hand. With the funds which will be
available for that purpose, they will
be able to provide all necessary food
clothing and shelter for those who
need such assistance. Considerable
amounts of money are being received
not only from Omaha, but from all
over the country, and are being CRATE.
fully accepted"
1t is estimated that near 1000 per
sons will require assistance until per
! manent relief is arranged for them
The work of relief is being organized
systematically. Nearly quarter of q
million dollars has been subscribed
for this work.
Additional tents arrived Friday and
those who have not been provided
with better homes will be housed in
tents for the present. Appeals fol
funds for relief of tornado victims
continue to pour in, nut the RELIEF
committee sees necessity for a great
deal more money and is making add
tional appeals for outside assistance.