The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-03-31
Conditions In Dayton.


water in the flooded rivers RAPIDLY
falling to their normal stage this city
has a tremendous task on hand,
The officials say the death list will
not reach 800. while those in charge
of the morgues estimate the dead at
250. Others equally familiar with the
situation, especially those active in
the rescue work and the search for
bodies, insist that the number OF dead
will not exceed $50.
Here is the problem presented to
Dayton, as summarized by George F.
Burba, secretary to Governor Cox, and
representing the latter in Dayton:
Forty thousand persons must be
fed, clothed and housed for a week
more.
Twenty thousand persons must be
cared for indefinitely. These are per
sons who lost their all when their
household goods were swept away.
They must be provided with a few
necessary household articles, such as
bedding, pots and pans, stoves and
few dollars A half million dollars
could be used in this way by the re-
lief committee. Fifteen thousand
houses and other structures, or what
remains of them, must be railled
down 9
Thousands OF tons or debris lssst
be removed.
Following are some of the accom-
plishments since the flood broke over
Dayton:
The water works pumping station
is in operation, but the distribution
of water is greatly retarded by open
pipes in wrecked houses. The pres
sure is feeble, but growing stronger
as leaks are checked.
The main sanitary sewer is in oper-
alton, although many of the laterals
leading from houses are clogged with
mud and backed up water.
Telegraph service is fast catching
up with requirements, which have
been and are still enormous.
No braver services have been per-
formed than those by the telegraph
and telephone linemen, who made pos
sible the dissemination Of news to
hundreds of thousands of friends and
relatives of Daytonians. They waded
and swan icy floods and entered tot
tering buildings unhesitatingly In pur-
suit of their duty.
John H. Patterson, chairman of the
general committee, found operators
who had not removed shoes or cloth
ing since last Tuesday. There Is
enough food and clothing for present
needs, but relief will be required on a
diminishing scale for at least another
month
Chairman Patterson announced that
W. F. Bippus will act as treasurer for
all contributions and will make
strict accounting to all contributions.
BY order of Governor Cox the reign
of martial law over Dayton was ex-
tended to take in the whole county.
The flood did more than sweep away
property, for it swept away the city
administration, temporarily at least,
and brought in what amounts to a
commission form of government.
The extension Of the area under
martial law developed from action
taken by local dealers, whose places
are closed. They complained that sa-
looms In the outskirts were sending
whisky into the city and that consid-
erable drunkenness had been observ-
ed. Adjutant General Wood reported
the situation to the governor and his
action was prompt and decisive.
Coroner J. w. Mckemy estimated
that 100 bodies have been recovered,
though there are records of only ".
He said that many had been buried
without usual official action and that
in many cases he did not expect to
get records.
Hundreds of persons still looking
for relatives, passed along the lines
at the morgues, fearing they should
find their loved ones there. Only
few bodies have not been identified.
Eight persons suffering from diph-
liberia are at the Miami Valley hos
pital. Seven of them were caught in
house with a person who had re-
Gently become i'll with the disease.
Four persons hemmed in with one
who had the measles are suffering