The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-22
FIRE SWEPT CITY
WANTSNOCHARITY
Atlanta Declares Its Ability
to Care for Its Own.
DYNAMITE ENDS DESTRUCTION
Exodus Of Msnaced POpulacs Sug-
gests Hegira Of Belgians.

ATLANTA, May 22.-Atlanta's dew
astatins IRE was brought under con-
troll early today by the liberal use
OF dynamite after structures covering
seyenty-nve blocks had been burned.
Attention turned today to relief for
the thousands homeless.
expressing appreciation for offers
OF outside help, Mayor Gambler de-
clared atlanta could care for its own
Considering the swiftness with which
the fre moved, the small number Of
casualties was q surprise. Only one
death was reported. Miss Bessie
Hodge died OF shock, but more than
sky persons were taken to hospitals.
Few In the path Of the IRE saved
more than they could carry. People
were slow to appreciate the rapidly
OF the fre's approach, even hours
after its start. Moving as fast as a
man could walk, the flames licked up
household goods that had been hur-
rigdly piled in the streets. The de-
parture OF families, finally, however,
began in every kind OF a conveyance.
The exodus became general. Any at
tempt now to make an estimate Of
the loss would be useless as to ac-
curaey. That It would run into mil
lions was generally conceded.
Looting H. Prevented.
Guardsmen and men from the Of |
ncers' training corps camp at Fort |
Mcpherson today were in control OF |
the situation. Little looting was re- |
ported. The only arrest for vandalism |
was that Of q man who tried to cart |
away . piano he found on q sidewalk. |
Liberal use Of dynamite finally con
trolled the FIRE, which, famed by a
gale, Threatened the entire city. Acres
OF beautiful homes were scared from
their foundations IN twelve hours.
apparatus from neighbor.
ing cities, however, gave heroic aid
today and continued to direct water
on smoldering ruins.
Starting in the Skinner storage and
plant, near Decatur and
Fort streets, the blaze quickly spread
Dry as finder, they added fuel to theI
flames, which rushed north and north
eastward on the wings of gale.
A path Of smoking ruins six blocks
In width and twenty-four in length
extends today from Decatur street to
yedado Way.
An almost endless stream of auto
mobiles filled leading thoroughfares,
driving toward the safety zones up
Town, bearing valuables and furnish
ngs. The flow Of the homeless afoot
Ponce De Leon avenue, sug-
rested thought Of the exodus from
INVADED Belgium
Wind Flights Fer Chaos.
F1urries OF wind famed the blaze
o unmansgesble power. Tongues Of
lame sent showers OF sparks to en-
,eiop vast spaces, igniting buildings
Elsewhere.
Scores Of fremen. soldiers. and civil
ans were overcome.
1t was no uncommon sight to see a .
lreman in khaki or nremen in ulsters
wing on the pavement.
The Georgia national guard, the
seventeenth United States Infantry. .
nd men from the Officers Reserve ..
orps camp at Fort Mcpherson, fought
he blaze and rescued imperiIed fam !
lies.
Atlanta will not ask outside aid in
ts emergency.
When the alarm reached the fire de-
artment much apparatus and many
nsn were fighting two other blazes.
Funds were being received today E
y the local Red Cross and the Asso- :
lated Charities for the care of the =
omeless. Thousands were fed at the =
Armory. Homes were y
brown open all over Atlanta last :
light to house the unfortunateA
Today relief measures were direct :,
d toward providing permanent shell \
er for the homeless. Clothing must
e provided. 7
OneFB Are Generous.
The finance committee of the Red
ross has had many offers from peo-
les throughout the country offering
, help US in our present crisis in any
mount we might wish, even to hun
reds of thousands of dollars. Ths
'mmittse wishes publicly to thank
lie spirit which animates such Eener-
Iity. Great as our calamity may be,
le Bed Cross committee. acting in S,
injunction with the committee on ii
lblic safety, feels that ATLANTA can &
Ike care of the situation and that our ii
enerous people will so respond TO the OIL
III made upon them that for the
resent we can attend to all needs" m
President Ivan E Allen, Of the Allan II
Chamber Of Commerce, announced 10
at 9 meeting Of citizens will work out b
ans to meet the situation. IL
In . very few weeks" President Al
n said. Il expect to see Atlanta rising G.
ON the flames more progressive, more is
nhdent. more beautiful than ever" q
Mayor Gambler said that apparently U
ere are from $500 to 5000 homes lost pi
ID that q conservative estimate of the rs