Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-17
PORTO R|CAN DEATH
LIST PUT AT 1000;
ISLE FACES FAMINE
ToWner Sends Plea for Aid.
Martial Law May Be
Declared.
By the Associated Press.

SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, Septem-
ber 1.-THE death list of the
tropical hurricane in Porto Rico
was increased today with the re-
ceipt of reports that at least %
persons were killed in the town OF
Comerio.
Frederick Krug, manager of the
hydro electric plant at that place,
reported that the bodies of % per-
sons were discovered near the
plant by a search party which was
seeking the bodies of seven men,
bers of one family known to have
been washed away in the vicinity.
No alarm previously had been felt
for the safety of the % found.
Krug expressed belief that more
dead would be found in the neigh
borhood of Comerio.
With the entire death toll con-
servatively estimated at 1000, the
specter of famine stalked through
Porto Rico today. At least 100000
persons were stated to be hungry.
Disease was threatened.
Half of the islands population of al.
most 100000 was thought to be home
less. 1t was feared that the property
damage would pass S10o,000,000.
Declaration of martial law, requisi-
tioning and rationing of food and draft
ing of all able-bodied men was urged
upon Gov. Horace M. Towner by a
group of leading citizens.
The group, in petition, asserted that
SO far neither the Government nor any
other agency had taken adequate steps
for relief to prevent sickness and starva-
ton nor to ascertain the facts as to i'm
mediate needs. The National Guard has
been ordered out to protect property
from looters. Efforts were made to stop
profiteering
News Trickles In.
Nine of the islands n towns reported
more than $50 dead. Others reported
no loss of life, and communication with
others lacking. 1t will be weeks before
accurate reports can be received from
the rural section, in which more than
10 per cent of the people live.
Physicians and others familiar with
conditions said that a death toll with
1000 as a final figure was conserva-
tive estimate. No continental Americans
have been reported either killed or in
jured.
The known dead in the various towns
reporting were: Cavey, IS; Guayama
60; Humacao, so; Ponce, 25; Arec.bo
Piedras, S. and Fajardo, 3.
Most of the food crops were destroyed
Half of the homes, even those of thatch
were destroyed or damaged beyond re-
pair. Probably the most seriously stu
ated were the "iivaros," the poor cotln-
try folk, numbering nearly 100000,
who have no resources. Talks of their
suffering were reaching San Juan.
Joaquin Villanueva, university in
structor Of Vega Baja, said the country
people were coming into town by hun
dreds, begging for food. Hard-pressed
merchants gave them as much as they
were able. Villanueva with his family
walked most of the Is miles from Vega
Baja to San Juan.
Man With Food Mobbed.
Paul Maloney, who motored from
Naguabo, on the East Coast, said man
with bag of rice, bag of beans and
side of pork was literally mobbed by
$50 homeless and hungry people at
Naguabo Playa.
A petition to Gov. Towner said that
100000 persons were hungry and would
have nothing to eat for another week
unless immediate and drastic action was
taken
These four proposals were laid before
the governor:
One. Martial law throughout the land
be declared, with officers of the 65th
Infantry in command.
Two. All food. supplies and materials
in the island be requisitioned to be
issued only on permit following def.
mite plan of rationing.
Three. Vessels in San Juan be
loaded with food and medical sup
plies and sent to other ports for dis
tribution for relief in the interior.
Four. The army plan followed dur.
| ing the San Ouriaco hurricane of 189e
be followed to include drafting of al
! able-bodied men for employment Ii
public works. on farms, or elsewhere
as need, with payment in food ano
commissary stores.
Await Assignments
The petitioners asserted that while
all organizations, government of.
ficials and employees and citizens gen
orally were ready and eager to coop
crate in plan for relief, they wer'
still awaiting assignment for duty
The communication was signed b.
Manuel v. Domenech, president o
the Chamber of Comerce; c. G
MacRae, president of the San Jnar
Clearing House Association: E. B
Thomas, manager of the Federal Lane
Bank; Francisco Soto Gras, vice presi
| dent of the American Bar Association
! for Porto Rico; F. j. Cartier. presi
dent of the San Juan Rotary Club
Thomas E. Benner, chancellor of tn
University of Porto Rico, and Frede
rick Krug, manager of the Porto Rlc
Railway, Light g. Power Co.
Gov. Towner announced later tina
he had invited leading citizens an
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