Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-09-12
Rescue Workers, However,
Estimate That the Total
Toll of Lives Lost Will Be
Approximately 25O,
PROPERTY DAMAGE is
5 MILLION DOLLARS
CITY, Is in a Crippled Condi-
No Lights Nor Street
,SlSbrs Due to the Lack of
s y .iectric Power.
(By The Associated Press.)

list of known dead from saturdays
flood had advanced to forty-seven
late today. The dead and missing
are estimated at approximately
ESQ by rescue workers. while Po-
lice Commissioner Phil Wright said
they might total 500. Many resi-
dents, however, consider these fig
ures high.
The property loss was placed at
$5,000,000 by some business men,
but both lower and higher esti-
mates were made.
Soon after daylight today search
ers on the Alazan creek found three
bodies in the driftwood and wreck
age on the banks and another was
found near the San Antonio river.
Other bodies were recovered. While
it has been declared that possibly
the majority of the estimated dead
floated down the streams, search
ers believed that as the wreckage
is cleared away others will be
found.
Bodies Are Recovered.
Rescuers today confined their
efforts principally to recovering
bodies, work of rescuing the ma
rooned having been completed yes
terday.
Rescue and relief work continued
all last night and today. Hun
dreds of Mexicans and the poorer
people who lived along the Alazan
are homeless and were given as
sistance by relief headquarters es-
tablished downtown.
The fact that most of the bodies
recovered have been fully clothed
shows that the victims were either
warned or heard the approaching
rush of water in time to make
preparations to leave.
The city proper has been in a
crippled condition all days from
the flood. There have been no
| lights nor street car service be-
cause of lack of electric power.
Water has been running into the
mains in parts Of the city and the
| pressure is weak at these places.
However, city officials said that
| the water pressure would be turned
on before tomorrow and it is
thought electrical current will also
D6 dNdlldUlo lOlllOlIOW.
Jitneys Are Prosperous.
City Building Inspector j. l..
Richter estimated the damage to
buildings at approximately s7O-.-
900. He said no large buildings
have been permanently damaged.
Jitneys have been doing a rush
in business because Of the lack of
street car service.
Investigation divulged today that
hardly any of the damaged busi-
nesses carried flood insurance.
Damage to the street paving is
estimated at approximately $780,
900, most of which resulted when
wood pavements were washed up.
Much of the business section was
paved with wooden blocks. Labor
ers have been engaged in moving
away what remained of the blocks.
Sanitary Precautions.
Every sanitary precaution is be-
ing taken. City Health Officer w.
A. King issued an appeal to the
citizens to be especially diligent in
draining off water where mosqui-
toes might find breeding place.
The cleaning up proceeded in
every pdlL VI tHe puoiiiCSS uiStiiSN
today. Proprietors of business es-
Establishments and employees were
sweeping and brushing out the
water and debris while pumps
were forcing water from base
ments. Elegant office furniture
lined both sides of the main streets
with employees scrubbing them to
remove dirt and slime. In con-
trast to the damage to the larger
establishments, there were the
damaged fruit stands. curio shops
and smaller establishments. Here
and there a man was found clean
ing his small place, aided in some
instances by his wife, sons or
daughters.
One Bridge Washed Away.
A check by City Engineer d. d.
Harrigan showed that thirteen of
the twenty-seven bridges spanning
the San Antonio river practically
unchanged. Only one bridge was
washed away. Others were lifted
from their piles and set at differ
ent angles on the banks.
The rapidity with which the
water receded is accounted by the
fact that the city Is at the head
waters of three streams.
Because of the many curiosity
seekers and others visiting the dev-
astated district this morning,
rigid restricted area was roped off
and guarded by policemen and SOL
diers.
The Red Cross and other organi-
ZatiOns oDened relief headuuarters
yesterday and all last night and
today assisted flood victims. Bread
and clothing were distributed.
Former Service Men Help.
Members of the local American
Legion post aided in clearing away
the debris, and did patrol duty In
sections of the city. They also aid
ed in recovering bodies.
Many pathetic scenes were
enacted Mt the Red Cross head
quarters and at the morglies.
Mexican families from which
a number were missing called
in q body at both places and in
broken English asked about
the missing. One Mexican and
his wife told of seeing their
four children swept away just
as they neared safety.
Limited telephone service was
available today. The power for
dynamos and motors of the tele-
phone company was cut off, but
officials used automobiles to op-
crate the dynamos.
Stores to Reopen Today.
City offtcio1s estimate that the