Evening journal., 1917-05-22
DYNAMITE HALTS
atlanta FIRE; 70
BLOCKS ARE Gone
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(Continded From First Psge)
tho local Red Cross and tho Associated
Charities for the care Of the homeless.
Thousands were fed at the Auditorium
Armory this morning. Both white and
black were cared for.
Homes were thrown open all over At
lanta last night to house the unfortu-
nates. Today relief measures were di-
rectcd toward providing permanent shell
ter for the homeless. Clothing will have
to DC provided as many lost all their
possessions except the clothes they wore,
The great fire was no respecter OF
persons Il swept Negro shacks and
costly homes OF the well-to-do whites
alike.
A path OF smoking ruins six blocks
in width and twenty-fOur in length
extends today from Decatur street to
Neda Bow way. Included In the Pom
peiian swath are the ashes OF humble
cottages and those OF mansions.
Heroism faced the advance OF the
flames at every turn. Personal be-
longings OF inestimable value were
lost in hundreds OF homes. The flow
OF homeless afoot through Ponce De
Leon avenue resembled a hurried eX-
odus OF refugees from invaded Bel
GUM.
Flurries OF wind which sprang up
famed the bfaze to unmanageable
fury These gales caused tongues OF
Flames to leap great distances ahead
OF the main fire. Lashed by the wind
burning structures sent showers OF
sparks to envelope vast spaces pre-
cipitating countless unnoticed fires
which rose beyond control before tho
FIRE fighting forces could cope with
them.
Scores Of hremen. soldiers and
civilians we're overcome. II was no
uncommon sight TO behold a man in
khaki or fireman in uniform prone
on the pavement while mnistering
fellows endcavored to resuscitate him
The gongs Of hurrying ambulancos
mingled with the incossant clang OF
the fire bells.
The Georgia National Guard or the
18th u. S Infantry and the men from
the officers reserve camp at Ft Nc
Pherson did noble work IN lighting
the blaze rescuing imperilled fami-
President Ivan r. Allen, OF the At
lanta Chamber OF Commerce, today
announced that a meeting OF repre-
sentative citizens Will be held today
to work out plans to meet the situa
ton.
I'm a very few weeks" President
Allen said, expect to see Atlanta
rising from the flames more progress
sive. more confident, more beautiful
than ever"
Mayor Chandler said today that ap-
parently there are from 25O0 to 5000
homes lost and that a Conservative
estimate OF the damage is 100000.
Barney Houston. chief Of the Gin
cinnati Fire Department, a visitor to
Atlanta, extended a hand OF congratu-
lation to Fire Chief Cody when the
blaze was at its height. He said IL
was the most able fire fighting he had
ever witnessed.
mo FIRE department on earth could
have controlled il earlier" Houston
said
The citizens Red Cross working
with the Associated Charit' es, started
systematic relief work today. Desks
have been Established at the Auditor
ium Armory. which is relief quarters.
There is one desk at which offers Of
automobiles may be made. AT another
auto trucks are rece we'd for service
At another offers OF accommodations
for the homeless are taken and those
needing homes are allotted.
Another desk keeps list OF all
those who are searching for missing
relatives and friends
To-day" said Joseph c. Logan, sec
rotary OF the Citizens Red Cross, eve
shall have ample food supplies for all
the needy. They have simply to APP
ply here and we will take care Of
them. We have established relief
stations in the devastated district
Everyone applying for aid will re-
ceive an Identification card stating
how many members OF his or her
family there are These cards will be
good for that number OF rations at
any relief station. Right now we
need money money and more money