Evening star., 1915-02-03
Pittsburgh No Longer in DAN
ger as Result of Swollen
Rivers.
THOUSANDS OF FACTORY
MEN NOW OUT OF WORK
Several Hundred Families Driven
From Their Homes in Vicin-
ity Of Wheeling.

PITTSBURGH. Pa. February 3.-The
flood which inundated the low-lying
sections along the Allegheny and Ohio
rivers began receding slowly early to-
day. and Forecaster Henry w. Penny
witt declared all danger had passed.
The crest was reached at midnight,
when a stage Of 2S.5 feet was regis
tered.
Some suffering was reported from the
flooded districts. but policemen in
boats took food and fuel to families
who had been Imprisoned in the upper
stories of their homes during the night
There was little actual damage along
the rivers. however, warnings having
been giver in ample time for precau-
tionary measures
Thousands OF men were thrown out
OF work when mills along the Allie
gheny river were flooded, but it was
believed they would be able to return
to work within a few days.
According to the police, no lives have
been lost In the flood. although there
nave been many narrow escapes. A re-
port to the police last night said that
two women frantically calling for help
were seen on a horseboat which was
oeing swept down the Allegheny river.
The boat was not located and the ru-
NOR was generally doubted.
Thousands Out of Work.
WHEELING. W. Va. February g.
Ten thousand men in factories in and
around Wheeling and fully double that
number along the Ohio river between
here and East Liverpool. Ohio, were
temporarily deprived of employment
today by the food
Wheeling Island was almost entirely
inundated. and it was estimated that
two thousand persons had been driven
from their homes. Schools were closed
and public buildings thrown open for
the refugees. There was a vast deal
of Inconvenience but very little actual
suffering. except on the Ohio side,
where a large number of striking
miners families were driven out. A
free restaurant was opened at Martins
Ferry for the destitute.
One Fatality Reported.
The only fatality reported was from
Mingo. Ohio. where an unidentified for
eigner was drowned in the back wa
ter.
The crest of the food passed East
Liverpool at o'clock. and was ex-
pected to reach here this afternoon,
with maximum of AZ feet.
EVANSVILLE. Ind. February 3.-The
Ohio river at this city today passed
the flood stage and was rising at the
rate of three-tenths of foot an hour.
Weather bureau officials say the flood
will not equal the record of 1913, when
4S feet was reached. Residents were
moving today from outlying sections of
the city which will be inundated by
high water.
Menace Interests Coast Guard.
The menace of the flood situation in
Ohio is giving concern to the coast
guard, which will be called upon to
give aid in case the angry waters
spread damage to property and cause
loss of life. Already Capt. E. P. Ber-
tholf, commanding the coast guard. is
occupied in planning relief measures,
should the intervention OF the coast
guard become necessary.
The present situation is pointed to, to
emphasize the need of fiat-bottom coast
guard cutters on the headwaters of
the Missouri. Mississippi and Ohio
rivers. frequently recommended to
Congress as invaluable in determining
the physical conditions preceding
foods. to permit warning of prospec-
tive high waters in the rivers. and to
give active aid in conserving life and
property in case of catastrophe. The
absence of such craft, especially eff
cient for the situation along the Ohio
river, Is keenly felt by the coast guard
at this time. when it is preparing for
whatever may come.
The lifeboats Of the shore service of
the coast guard must be relied upon
to give whatever succor is demanded
in any arising peril. The men of the
former life-saving service. stationed
on the great lakes and on adjacent
rivers. have been put on notice to be
prepared for duty.