Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-02-06
FLOOD WATERS
 BEGIN RECEDING
 MORE RAPIDLY Decrease in River Stage Causes Fall in Waters in
 Lakebed Section.
RELIEF WORK IS
 BEING PROSECUTED
Little Rock Cooperating with Pine Bluff in Extending Aid to the Vic. timS of the Flood Situation in
 the City Is Better.

The f!Ver is continuing to fall her., and at Q more rapid rate now than at any time since the flood waters began receding.
 The manner in which the water ;s reducing it's depth in the old lake he'd section is deceptive, as it seems to be falling at the rate of two feet or more per day. AS a matter of fact, the water in the overfloWed section Of the lakebed is flowing into the river at a very rapid rate, but this does not mean that the river has fallen so much or so rapidly. A few inches of water in the river adds very great eXpanse to the overflowed section in the lakebed, and a fall of three or four inches makes a cor responding big increase in the area from which the water recedes.
 The weather forecast now is for rain in this section, and should the fall be heavy, it may cause the flood water to remain here a bit longer taan will otherwise be the case. Oklahoma also is due to have rain, and ether sections in the Arkansas valley, but not very great fall is anticipated by the weather bureau.
 The mild weather of yesterday sided the flood sufferers materially. The very cold weather of the past few days has added to the sufferings of these who had been driven from their homes, and who we're necessarl- ly poorly clad, poorly housed and poorly fed The extension of the re- i'ef work, the donations of clothing. food and fuel, and the mild weather all aided in ameliorating the condi- tens among the refugees, urban and rural.
 Relief Work Is Rushed. The energies of everybody yester- cay were directed toward the exten- sion and carrying out of relief work in the city and county. In this work, there has been the heartiest of CO operation between Pine Bluff and Little Rcck, the city authorities, board of trade, chamber of commerce, the Little Rock Gazette, The Graphic Mayor c. B. Taylor and Mayor Simon Bloom, all are holding several con- ferences daily by telephone. and all working along the same lines, to ex- tend aid and relief to the flood suf- lCIGIS III lIlC Nd0L CAIOAC Ol SONACAJ south of Pine Bluff which is now under water.
 Boats are plentiful now in the flooded sections, and are manned by experienced boatment. A score or more of these boats were sent from Pine Bluff A score, or more Pine Bluff men are actively engaged in the rescue work. All are keeping In oirect touch with the directing heads oi the work, here and at Little Rock. The relief work in Pine Bluff is well under way, and if there is any enc suffering for necessities, 1t 1s only because he or she has not made the case known to any of the several committees or organizations attend ing to the work.
 The Graphic's relief fund commit tee, the Associated Charities, the col ored relief committee, are the three central bodies, and each is taking ac- tive part in the relief work. The Craphic's fund is being expended even more rapidly than it is growing, as aid is being sent to the country sections in large amount. The re- sponse yesterday to the appeals was generous, but big amount is needed, and it is hoped more money will be forthcoming at once, as the cries TOT food are becoming more numerous and more insistent, as the remote sec- tions are being reached by the rescu- ing parties.
 streets Being Cleared.
 Great quantities of silt and drift wood. as well as other trash, is being left in the streets as the water re- cedes, and the work of removing 1t will be heavy. It is the intention Of Mayor Simon Bloom and the heads of city department to use every effort to clear the streets at the most rapid rate.
 It is expected the city will suffer severe damage, through caving or washing of unpaved streets, and the sinking of sewer, gas, waterworKs and other trenches, below the city street level. This will mean work not only for, the city. street depart ment, but for the public. utilities com panies. This' Is tb be attended to at the earliest opportunity, after the waters recede.
 Wholesalers Return.
 The back waters between Third and Fourth avenues from State street east several blocks have receded to the .cint where the wholesalers, whose warehouses are situated in this area, feel safe in moving their stocks back in the buildings. The Riley Commission company and the High tower Grain & Feed company began moving yesterday and the work will be continued until they are again comfortably settled. BOX cars were utilized to store most of their stocks during the high water. and these cars are being switched into place and the work of unloading is being pushed.