Daily Kennebec journal., 1925-03-02
PANICKY FEELING

Washington, Feb. 28-Experts at
the Georgetown University observa-
tory obtained records Of the earth
tremors which were described as
most severe, for this section of the
country. The tremor was most pro-
nounced from 9:24 to 9:28 o'clock at
point about 500 miles from Wash
ington. in the vicinity of Boston. The
instruments were reported as re-
Cording tremors of less severity at II
o'clock.
Earthquake shocks, varying in in
tensity and lasting from 20 seconds
in some places to more than two
minutes in others, rocked Boston and
the northeastern part Of the United
States between 9:20 and $3.50 last
night, and brought panic to thous-
ands of the populati ton in localities
where such severe tremors are la
most unknown.
SO far as is known no buildings
collapsed. but minor damage was re-
ported all over New England, espec-
tally in the northern states, and the
telephone companies in many of the
larger New England cities began to
report wire and cable trouble a few
minutes after the first shock was felt.
In Boston the results of the quake
and its effect on the people varied.
Many persons on the street or on the
lower floors of buildings apparently
gave the tremors no thought. Others,
especially those in the higher build
1ngs and those packed with thous-
ands of others in the theat tres, dance
halls and other gathering places,
paled and many hastily sought the
open air.
Passengers in trolley cars and
trains and in automobiles felt the
shocks. Many motorists grew panic
stricken and brought their cars to a
halt. Inside the down town buildings
more especially on the higher floors,
the swaying was sufficient to bring
slight dizziness.
All reports agreed that the motion
of the buildings was lateral, and even
In the suburban districts terrified
householders felt their homes swing
back and forth in a seesaw movement.
= Less than minute after the first
shocks felt in Boston the streets were
hlled with wondering people. many of
them frankly terrified. Newspaper Of
fees were bombarded with inquiries.
as were the various college observa-
tories. the weather bureau and other
information points.
The telephone operators, many of
them forced to fight panic and hysteria
as switchboads trembled before their
eyes. struggled valiantly with the flood
of calls, but were soon swamped with
the unprecedented press Of business.
Tenants rushed from buildings, here
and there women became hysterical
and screamed. In some of the apart
ments and hotel buildings along the
river bank and in the Back Bay hotels
men and women ran into the streets.
many scantily clad as though running
from fire.
The earthquake put an abrupt end
to what had started to be n quiet eve
ming for the police department. AS the
headquarters and station house build
ings rocked and swayed lights on the
switchboards flashed one after the 9TH
er as the patrolmen out on route began
calling their houses for instructions.
Every police station was swamped
with an avalanche Of telephone calls,
from nervous residents. and at head
quarters visions of bomb plot or big
explosion disaster somewhere in the
city led the officers on duty to begin a
quick checkup all over the city.