Evening star., 1927-04-23
RAILROADS GIVEN
FREE REIN IN FLOOD
|. C. C. Orders Them to Disre-
gard Freight RuIes-Hoover
Heads Relief Work.
By the Associated Press.

| Commerce Commission decided today
and railroads affected were authorized
| to disregard until further notice al
usual conditions affecting the routing
I of freight.
| The commission notified carriers
| handling traffic from or to Arkansas
| Louisiana, Missouri and Mississippi
| to route it by the best way, without
REGARD to directions OF shippers OIL
other roads. All regulations with
respect to car service in the affected
territory were suspended. Railroads
were directed TO make adjustments
among thmselves of Joint rates.
Buchanan Is MarOOned.
A telegram received at American
Red Cross headquarters here today
| said that r. r. Buchanan, assistant
national director Of disasters, Is ma
rooned at Greenville. Miss, where
the levee broke last Friday night. he
| was on his way to point outside
the city with 200 tents furnished by
| the Army for refugees.
The total number of refugees from
the flooded areas to date, Red Cross
officials said, is approximately $4,000
10000 Are Endangered.
The greatest emergency, officials
said, now centers about Greenville,
where the lives OF 10000 persons were
ieopardized when the Mississippi
jumped its banks. The problem now
facing Army and Red Cross workers
is to hasten the evacuation.
In this connection telegram from
Henry NJ. Baker, national director of
disasters for the Red Cross, who has
been at Memphis. Tenn, since Tues
day, stated that all Greenville citizens
except about 500 are being taken off
secoud-story houses, and that special
scaffolds have been rugged on one
story dwellings, to assist the rescuing
boatmen. From the surrounding
country 900 refugees have been as
scmbled on the levee ready for evacu-
alton.
Radio Calls Craft.
Baker further said that he had
radioed a special call for all craft on
the lower Mississippi to concentrate at
Ereenvilie. with the result that Bu-
chanan, from that point, reports
enough large steamers for the preg-
ent. BY dark last night. he said, 5000
refugees had been evacuated and the
rescue work was being carried on
without abatement during the night
and today.
From GreenviIle, Director Buchanan
sent call to Memphis for 25 small
motorboats, stating that this was
his only immediate need. A feet OF
was Immediately dispatched, and,
according TO Bakers report, they
should have arrived by daybreak to-
day. An additional 10, he said, We're
being sent by special train and q
indifHfRd
Cleveland, Miss, with boats increased
the number by 10 more.
Two Weeks Supply.
A two weeks supply of food is
said to be on hand at Greenville
and medical supplies, physicians and
nurses. are adequate for the present.
The situation. generally, 1t was
added, is as we'll in hand as can be
expected.
Red Cross officials here praised the
cooperation they are receiving from
Army Corps commanders. They de-
clared that it would be impossible to
carry on the rescue work without the
Ariny's aid and that of the. Coast
Guard. Mr.. Baker has been in con-
stant communication with Army of
fieers. A conference yesterday be-
tween Red Cross workers and Army
officers resulted in the establishment
Of Army headquarters at Memphis as
an observation center to aid in keep
Ing up lines Of communication with
the inundated areas. 1t was said that
all Army officers are showing an in
creased desire to cooperate with the
Red Cross in every way.
Result Of Evacuations.
T3nF,raan Fun,a, tounu aasirnatad b.,
the Red Cross as the eastern branch,
show that up to today 400 were evacu-
ated from WycIiffe, KY; 100, Barlow,
KY: so. La Center, KY; 500. Colum'
bus, Ky; 1900, Hickman. KY: 400,
Ridgeley. KY; 200, Tiptonville, Tenn;
900, Dyersburg, Tenn; 100, Shelby,
Tenn; in Mississippi, concentrated at
Vicksburg, Greenwood and Greenville,
q, 900, and in Louisiana, concentrated
at Marksville, Harrisonburg and An.
COLA. 10000.
The mldwestern branch has report
ed 500 from Cape Girardeau, Mo; 500,
Mississippi County, Mo-; 1000, New
Madrid, Mo; 10000, st. Francis Basin
Eastern Arkansas; 3,000, Clarendon,
Ark; 1900, Wynne, Ark; 500, Mari
anna, Ark; 5000, Helena and Desha
Counties, Ark; 1000, Cotton Plant,
Ark; 200 Little Rock. Ark; 200, Fort
Smith, Ark. 1000, Cairo. III.
The first call for nurses to do duty
In the refugee camps was sent TO the
Red Cross by the Governor of Ar
kansas today. Louise Kinney was
sent to take charge OF the sttN
ton at Wynne. Four others will be
dispatched today to Forrest CITY,
Ark.
M Gerio,.s niSeamp
The Red Cross has been advised
| that National Guard medical ON
| GERS have been detailed for SAM
tation work with the Red Cross in
refugee camps and that the Missouri
| Health Board was also aiding. No
serious disease problem has as yet
| developed, 1t was said, and all pre-
cautions are being taken to prevent
| outbreaks of sickness. Mass feed
| Ing will start today in the larger
| camps.
Airplanes are reported to be in use
| throughout the inundated areas for
| transportation purposes. The Red
| Cross chapters at Little Rock and
Pine Bluff, Ark, are using them to
| take food to refugees in their vicinity.
Government engineers and Red
| Cross workers predict that the food
will become more serious hourly. The
| spread of news OF the disaster today
resulted in cablegram from the
League of Red Cross Societies, of
WHICH the American Red Cross is a
member, which read:
'Our sympathy to sufferers In the
| Mississippi foods. Admiration for
prompt relief measures organized"
! The league represents Red Cross
| societies of 81 nations.
Coast Guard Assists.
A relief party composed OF the en-.
tire personnel and all vessels of the
Louisville station OF the Coast Guard
was ordered to Cairo today to aid In
relief of victims Of the Mississippi
! Valley flood.
An emergency force to man the
| Louisville station in the absence of