The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-03-31
Garrison, WORK
NEARLY FINISHED,
Returning Home
Secretary Of War Wires Opt
mistic Report on Flood Con-
ditions to President.
STARTS EAST TOMORROW
Situation Can Be Taken Care Of by
Mis-, Boardman and
Her Aids,

Secretary of War Garrison is so en-
couraged by conditions now existing in
the flood districts of Ohio. that he in
tends to begin his return trip to'Wash-
ington Tuesday morning, unless Presi-
dent Wilson wishes him to remain there
longer In his daily report to'the Presi-
cent. received at the White House last
night, Mr.. Garrison sad:
II think II proper for you to announce
il you desire to do so, that Hamilton
as well as other places seriously affected
by the flood have found themselves and
are tending toward normal conditions
rapidly"
Despite his encouragement at the con-
oitions he finds now existing in Ohio, the
Secretary evidently regards the outlook
for disasters along the Mississippi River
as serious. He advised the President in
his report last night that he was pre-
pairing to hold reserves to meet emergen-
cies on the river. He said the War De-
partment has experienced men along the
Mississippi. together with boats and sup
plies sufficient to deal with any emer-
Eency that may arise. He requested
the President to send to him all reports
on conditions along the Mississippi,
which were sent to the White House be-
fore ordering any action from Wash
ington.
IN
The Secretary returned from Dayton
to Cincinnati. and will go to Columbus
today. He has devoted the last twenty
four hours mainly to investigating con-
ditions i'm Hamilton. GAINESVILLE, and
Chillicothe. He reported that the loss
of life in Hamilton will not reach eighty,
and that the water and lighting systems
are practically restored to normal opera
ton.
In his report, the Secretary expresses
the opinion that had it been possible for
the telegraph and telephone companies
10 transmit fuller news on the flood con-
ditions. the conclusions drawn by the
people outside of the flood districts
would not have been so gloomy.
Secretary Garrison reported that he had
been in communicat ton with Miss Mabel
Bosrdman, chairman. of the relief COM
mittee of the Red Cross Society, and he
was convinced she and her aids can
take care of the situation after the
emergency has passed and the War De-
partment' forces have been withdrawn.
This was the Secretary's report:
From a personal inspection. made in
company with Maj. Gen. Wood, / find
the situation at Hamilton, Ohio, to be as
follows: The forde OF the water here
was very great. The flood area was wide
and the destruction to property very
large. Forty-five bodies of drowned have
been SO far recovered. The debris has
not all been searched as yet, but i think
il is safe to estimate that seventy to
eighty will be the outside limit of the
number OF dead. The public spirit dis
played here is of the highest and most
commendable quality, and the citizens
are enthusiastically cooperating with
the National Guard officer m command
of the situation. Our officers are work
ing in concert, we having medical offi-
GERS, Hospital Corps men, noncommis-
stoned officers Of the line. and engineer
officers here. There is an abundance of
food, shelter. medical supplies. physi-
clans and clothing Nothing needed for
the existing emergency is lacking. Col
Charles r. Hake, jr., retired, of the Ohio
National Guard, came in at the begin
ming and took charge, doing excellent
work until Col Zimmerman, Ohio Ma
tional Guard, was sent in to command.
He at once established martial law. and
was handling the whole situation with
skill, courage, AMI resorrcefulness. He
has placed the sanitary situation under
the control of Maj. Hendley, and he has
districted the city. and is utilizing our
medical men and Hospital Corps men, and
the noncommissoned men We sent in as
aids to his own men and the local people
who volunteered in the most cheerful
spirit.
Situation Is Met.
1--WE have met and are prepared to
meet the whole situation efficiently and
completely. We have placed at their
disposal all resources in the way of
supplies they may need. The water eys-
tenn has been re-established, and will be
normal by night. The lighting system
will then again be put into operation.
The citizens as whole have shown
such a fine spirit that / have no doubt
the matter Of restoration. rehabilitation
and repair will proceed under the best
OF auspices, although they may need
and may avail themselves of the serv-