The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-25

Street. between Clay and Brown
Streets. to the city authorities for re-
lief This relief was given at the City
Home to those who accepted the tnvi-
tation of Mr.. Hirschberg. Mr.. Hirsch-
berg and three other members of the
board went yesterday afternoon to the
tscene-Messrs. MCCARTHY FoIkes and
Hobson. Mr.. Bec had gone into the
bottoms on Sunday, when conditions
were at their worst.
What they saw convinced them the
situation was a serious one. They
called upon Mr.. Bluford to give them
such information as will aid the board
in correcting Shockoe Creek condi-
tons. Mr.. Bluford said late yesterday
that he has much to say to the board
and a number of suggestions to make.
Suffered Heavily Last Year.
In the floods of year ago he was
loser to the extent of $4,000. ac-
cording to his estimate after last Au-
gusts waters went down. The
storms of Saturday and Sunday put
the waters up to within FIVE inches
Of the main floor of his shops and
similar losses threatened.
He saved himself. and perhaps the
city. hundreds of dollars by actiny
promptly. when the waters rose he
called upon his force of men to aid
him in clearing from the rushing Ma
tiers large timbers, barrels, boxes bits
of wood and other debris which might
choke the open way under the arches
that cover the creek under the streets
in the lower section of the city. Mr.
Bluford personally directed the work
of clearing the creek, but despite all
that they could do the waters backed
up. threatened the plant and actually
filed lower floors of the tenements Of
the colored people of the valley.
All sorts of smaller furniture. chairs,
tables. washstands and mattresses.
bedding and other home-makiny equip
ment doated away. Yesterday morn
ing found many of the negroes desti
tute Their condition was reported
by Mr. Bluford and representatives OF
the city government went to their
Fire Engines Might Help.
When administrators. health de-
partment inspector. Building Inspector
Butler and others arrived in the bot
toms they found that many of the
self-reliant Inhabitants had cleaned
UP or were cleaning up. Mud had been
or was being washed from floors. Such
articles of furniture as had been saved
from the rush of waters were being
put IN place.
Groceries and otner provisions tnat
had been ruined or washed away were
being replaced. In several OF the
houses. whose hrst floors stood under
| feet of muddy water the water was
being pumped out. and the suggestion
was made that one OF the FIRE engines
! of the city might be used well in help
Ing clean up.
| Or the score or more of families who
were stricken by the food waters there
were but two or three who took ad-
vantage of Chairman Hirsohhergs Of
Ter OF provisions and comfort at the
City Home. These left tho bottoms
late yesterday and only after they had
been convinced that they could not
at once rehabuitate themselves In their
homes.
! There may be others today who will
accept the city's relief offer for last
nights rains were heavy ana waters
cleared by pumps from lower floors
were replaced by little more than an
hours downpour. For the people in
I the bottom the situation is critical.
Elsewhere in Richmond there is little
danger OF food suffering.