The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-27

of stopping the break, as the leves lis point and is crumbling rapidly.
 The break occurred at an unex- pected point and very few men were on duty in that section For while there had been some topping of ths ombankment there, but 1t was said there were no signs there of weak ness.
 On account of the nearest tele- phone line going out of commission soon after the crevasse was reported. confirmation of the break could not be made for half an hour and many residents of Ferriday went to the scene of the trouble in the hope that it was only a rumor.
 The flood will inundate all of Con- cordia parish q large part of Ten- sas, a part of Catahoula and possibly a part of Franklin and Avoyelles pa- rishes.
 The section behind the break
 Is one of the richest farming sec
 tions in Louisiana aud is largely
 devoted te cotton planting. In the
 immediate path of the flood are
 the towns of Ferriday. Junks,
 Clayton, VIdaIis. WildsvilIe, and
 Frogmore. VidaiIa Is n town of
 about 2,0OO population, Ferridsy
 500, and the others are small vil-
 lages.
 The United States steamboat Tuni- ca has left the government fleet at Natchez for the scene of the crevasas and every power boat in Natchez is hastening to the affected territory for flood relief work.
 Train Service Suspended
 Ferriday the nearest town to the crevasse, is about eight miles from Vidalia which Is just across the Mis- sissippi river from Natchez It is the junction of the Louisiana and Arkan- sas, the Missouri Pacific and the Texas and Pacific railroads. Service had been suspended on all except the Missouri Pacific on account of back water and tonight the last train of this road left the town.
 Gov. John M Parker. of Louisiana, was notified tonight of the break in the levee and was told that an at tempt would be made to tie the ends to prevent further crumbling. Tho governor gave the assurance that every possible aid the state could render would be extended.
 Reports received here tonight from Ferriday and Vidalia say that break in the line has been anticipated for the last week and that most of the people have made ready by build- ing scaffolds on which to elevate their belongings and will not leave their homes.
 At Ferriday some of the citizens are of the opinion that the flood waters will not rise to greater depth than four or five feet in the houses Reports of the crevasse have been spread through the area ex- peeted to be affected and it is be- lieved that every one will be warned in time to bring livestock to the levees to be transported to the safety of the Mississippi hills of Natchez.
 Relief Funds Raised
 Notwithstanding the heroic fight which has been waged In the Louis jana territory adjacent to Natchez for the past ten days. the belief has been held by some here that the dikes could not stand the terrific strain of the unprecedented stages of the river and with this in view the lccai chapter of the American Red Cross has raised an emergency re- lief fund to take care of the imme- diate needs of flood sufferers and m addition to this has been in touch with the national headquarters of the Red Cross.
 Later reports from eye witnesses of the creyasse stated that the break is 150 yards wide and the flood waters of the Mississippi river are pouring through in tumbling pillows four and five feet high. Negro cabins be- hind the levee were swept away like straws and a number of families of tenants barely reached the levee In time to escape In the vicinity of the erevasse not only many negroes. but number of white people are on the levees awaiting to be rescued by boats.
 In one house in the path of the flood seven white people-three widows and four children, one of whom was i'll. huddled in terror. They were discovered by H. B. Con- nor, of Vidalia, who was in the vii cinlty Of the crevasse at the time 1t occurred and was riding ahead of the flood to give warning. They were told to get on the levee and await rescue.
 It is estimated that water will enter Ferriday tomorrow morning and reach Vidalia in the afternoon. At present the flood is going in the direction of Clayton and Junks n Concordia parish.
 It is indicated that the break in the levee above Ferriday will greatly in- crease the volume of water going down the Atchafalaya river and in crease the seriousness of the flood situation in that section.e
 It was stated tonight by Rabbi Will liam Alderman. chairman of the Natchez Red Cross. that tents will be erected here immediately and provi- sions made to take care of all flood refugees coming to Natchez. BREAK IN LEvEE
 TO PRoLONG FLOOD
 Washington, April 26.-The flood in the lower Mississippi and Atchfalaya