The Washington herald., 1913-03-29
Law SECONDARY
TO Saving LIFE
On This Theory Secretary Nc
Adoo Sends Crews to the
Flooded Districts.
FIRST TIME INLAND
Employees of Treasury Department
Send 81 ,439 to Aid of the
Victims.

Regardless of the authority of law,
Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo, act
ing with the approval of President VIII
son, Is bringing practically the entire
Hle-saVlnS service of the Central West
ern States, and the Atlantic coast from
Norfolk TO New York into use to render
aid to the people of the flooded dis
tricts in Ohio, PENNSYLVANIA. and West
virginia. Orders went out to all sta
tions in this territory last night to hold
themselves in readiness 20 embark at
once. with motor boats. RATS and COM
plete equipment, upon a call from the
Governors of the fiood-stricken States.
The Governors were asked to designate
places where they will be most needed
This is the first time in the history of
the ife-saving service that II has bee n
called out for work in inland territory,
and. os far as is known, there is no ex-
listing law to warrant it. When thousands
OF lives are imperiled Is ne time for quib-
bling over the letter of the law, in the
minds of President Wilson and Secretary
McAdoo, so they will proceed to save life
first and Justify the act by law afterward.
III necessary, special act will be asked
of Congress to make legal the Use OF the
life-saving service in the flooded districts
and to reimburse the Treasury Depart
ment for the money expended.
This spirit of acting first in such an
emergency and consulting laws after
ward is displayed even by the keepers
or life-saving stations, the one at Chi
cago having rushed in the middle of
the night to Fort Wayne. Ind, even
without receiving or asking for orders.
BY this prompt action he saved sew
enty-tive inmates of the Orphans
Home at Fort Wayne at o'clock this
morning, and then reported his move
ments to the Treasury Department.
The life-saving crew. composed of the
keeper and sex men. stationed at Louis
willie. who We're ordered Wednesday to
proceed directly to Dayton. Ohio
reached that city Thursday night, after
much delay. caused by croppled railroad
service. They took with them power
surf boats and complete apparatus. The
action Of the Chicago life-saving station
rushing to Fort Wayne was highly COM
mended in kilograms received at the
Treasury Department yesterday from
Representative Madden of Illinois, and
Representative HobsOn of Alabama, both
in Chicago
Nor word had been heard from SURG
Gen Rupert Blue. of the Public Health
Service, who left Thursday night. ac-
cOmpanied by Assistant Surg Gen.
Rucker for the Ohio and Indiana flooded
districts. to take charge of the work of
fighting off diseases that are regarded
as certain 10 follow. They carried with
them large amount of smallpox and
typhoid vaccinee. disinfectants, and other
prevcntives against pestilence. Passed
Assistant Surg. c. W. Willie. who was
ordered from Cleveland to Columbus
Wednesday. reached that city last night
and the following report was received
from him this afternoon:
conferred with Gov. Cox and DR.. Nc
Campbell. secretary Of the State board
OF health. and with local health authori-
ties. Dill cooperate with above in MAX
ing survey ot flooded district tomorrow,
reporting result to Governor"
a balance of sl.iG9 left over from the
inaugural parade viewing stand enter
prise of the employees of the Treasury
Department was sent Yesterday by Chief
Clerk Wi!muth to Miss Mabel Boardman. !
chairman of the executive committee of |
the American Red Cross, to be used for |
the benefit of food sufferers. Heretofore !
the balance from the sale of seats has |
been distributed pro rata among the sub |
sCribers. but at a meeting of the en- |
plOyes it was decided to turn the fund |
over TO the Red Cross