The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-07-25
4luo Thirds OfUnited States M Heat WaUe
Most of That Section Started Another Day of Torture; Over 800 Are Dead-Cattle in Many Zones
 Are Dying or Are Put to Death

yCcpyright 1884 by United Prcssl
 Kansas City, Mo. July 2S.-(UPl ~-Alrnost two thirds of the Unlteo States today entered another oay of torture comparable to existence
 U;thin n blast furnace. Little re- lief was promised, from an un- prdcedented drought and heat wave that has taken more than 800 lives cost millions, and inter fered with the lives of thousands of Americans, all within a ten day period.
 The heat area extended from wyoming and New Mexico east to fhe Allegheny's, taking in the southwest and great part of the south. Temperatures exceeding 100 degrees were the usual thing. Complicating the suffering was an ac,lte water shortage in parts or thd middle west and the southwest from long drought that has re- tiuced thousands of acres or other wise fertile farm acres to desert like stretches.
 51S Died From Heat l "A United Press tabulation of deaths, carefully compiled eacn day the heat has persisted, stood at'513 early today and was increas- inr almost hourly as additional vic- tims died in hospitals in St Louis, Chicago, Kansas City and smaller places throughout the vast area.
 Cattle markets here, at Chicago. and other places were Jammeo with thousands of heads shipped by distressed farmers unable to
 fhnn1. The animals looked like famine beasts and many were so weak they could not keep up with the herds. These stragglers were shot.
 4 United Press survey of the drought and heat areas showed an alarming increase in the costs or foodstuffs to housewives. Grocers and wholesalers, with an eye to the thousands of acres of destroyed crops, predicted prices would con fin1ie to increase. Since May 1, they have gone up from to 10 per cent in Dallas and 20 to 25 per cent in Omaha.
 Hunt For Water Acute shortage of water for hu- man consumption was reported In many sections and throughout Oklahoma and Kansas where river beds are practically dry, a frenzied, life and death hunt for water was under way. Hundreds of wells have been dug in the last week and crews of diggers scattered over the prairies were reminiscent of oil boom days when wildcat wells reputedly were sunk in every township.
 Oklahoma may get light showers today but a deluge would be need ed to put water back into rivers and streams and revitaliZe farm acfas. Slightly lower temperatures may give a little relief to Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, Minnesota, wyoming, Ohio, Wisconsin, Me- braska and Missouri.
 Tn addition to the more than 500 dead from causes directly trace able to heat, deaths by drowning were far beyond normal in all sec tioas. More than 100 drownings have been reported within the last weeks.
 Cattle Ranges Suffering
 Cattle ranges in Kansas, Okla holna. Wyoming and other states were scenes of poignant suffering. Dying animals bawled pityingly for water man was unable to supply. Railroad shipping points and trucking facilities were over taxed by herds being rushed to market. Ranchmen with rifles ended the eufferings of vast numbers. Many ranches hoped to save their herds by sinking as many wells as needed.
 Federal and state agencies mus tered all resources to relieve hu- man suffering. In Washington re- lief officials estimated that 1,60O,- 00O drought victims are entirely dependent on the federal emerg- ency relief administration. The Government has spent $20,000 in the last month.
 The heat created other hazards fos threaten the existence of man and beast. A fierce prairie fire spreading over 35 by 15 mile Area ragged near Antlers, Okla, en- dangering cattle herds and farm homes. Almost all of the middle west and southwest was as dry as finder. highly susceptible to prairie ard forest fires caused by sparks ffbm locomotives or carelessly thrown cigarette butts.
 Temperatures Yesterday
  fefday were unbelievable. At Vim. it&, Okla, the mercury reached IF degrees. the 36th day of tempera- trTes of 100 degrees or more. Nowata, Okla, had 116 degrees. In St Louis 54 year record fell when the thermometer mounted to llO.2 degrees. Kansas City's air. port station registered 110 degrees. A 32 year record at Chicago fell when the mercury passed 104. CATTLE DIE BY HUNDREDS V Chicago, July 25.-(UP)-Twen- ty.five thousand head of cattle Starved, thristing, dying by the CHAIRMAN CRARY