Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-12-09
ASTORiA FIRE
lcontInued from Pags 80

@-AA+AA --41 VI AOAAA~E 41NE 49,
thrown open 20 those made desti-
tute BY the blaze and ali public
buildings available will provide
sleeping and eating quarters foI
the several thousand persons. Al
though not many residences were
In the path OF the flames. apart
ment houses. hotels and frame
tenement structures were destroy
ed. and residents OF Astoria who
made their homes in these strue-
lures barely had time to escape
with their lives.
Relief measures consisted Of or
ders to commander all OF the
eity's food supplies at once to be
gathered together in the Lowell
garage BUILDING, one OF the largest
unburned structures. From here
the supplies will be distributed to
the hungry Ropulaee upon written
orders issued by the relief COM
mittee. which has taken up perma-
nent headquarters in the Y. VI. c.
A.
Difficulties OF obtaining money
for the thousands who have been
deprived OF banking privileges
through the destruction Of the
fire banking institutions were
taken up and committee. headed
by c. r. Higgins. president OF the
Astoria National bank. was ap-
pointed. Officials OF the other
banks will assist on this commit
tee.
Word was dispatched immedi-
ately by this group to the Oregon
Hotelmen's association in Port
land, which telegraphed that it
had contributed $1,000 to the re-
lief fund to send the currency.
Banking headquarters have been
temporarily established in the Y
VI. C. A. and from this point funds
will be used as needed.
Long lines Of hungry persons
waited In front Of the Y. M c. A.
where they were being fed with
sandwiches and IOaves of bread.
Inside many OF the buildings. in
cluding church buildings near the
scene OF the terrible blaze, women
and men worked tirelessly in an
effort TO provide for those with
out a home. The problem Of pro-
viding provisions for the hundreds
Of residents of the city now pre-
sents itself to the relief commit
tee.
Several grocery stores and
small markets in the outlying
districts suffered an unprecedent-
ed rush and police authorities, by
way Of precaution, issued orders
against any possible profiteering.
AS soon as systematic operations
can be started by the relief or
ganizations it will be possible to
receive aid through the Red Cross
Looters Arrested
Frantic efforts by telephone
and electric light workmen had /
partly restored the lighting facil- |
tiles OF the city here last night, /
but throughout the remaining |
district heavy guard Of soldiers
md special policemen had been
to prevent looting the
destroyed area OF the city. Chief
II Police Leb Carlson said IA men
lad been arrested by his officers
turing the confusion and that all
we're attempting to carry away
articles from stores within the
iistrlct.
Fire fighting apparatus was all
working at full speed at a late
hour and will be kept constantly
IN the job until all the embers
have been extinguished.
Wire Service Restored
Despite an almost complete de-
itruction OF their local lines and
centralized equipment. both the
Pacific Telephone and Telegraph
and the Western Union
Telegraph company reported to-
lay that reconstruction at Astoria
vas already under way and that
" this afternoon tney would bel
n position to handle all busi-
less offered.
The Western Union before the
lanes had halted. had opened a
emporary central office in the
spokane. Portland and Seattle
passenger depot and was operat-
ng two wires. Linemen and ad-
lIional equipment arrived here
IN the special relief yesterday
.fternoOn and the work on emer-
'eney installation went on all Of
ast night
The loss in equipment and lines
; estimated at not less than SI0,-
100 All files were destroyed and
hough this does not represent IL
iancial loss. it is a serious incon-
.enienee to the company.
Phone System Rebuilding
Though temporarily paralyzed
y the destruction OF IT'S Astoria
ines. the Pacific Telephone and
telegraph company resumed ser
ice in this city yesterday after
oon- For a time its wires were
he only source Of communication
nth the outer world. Losses are