The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1936-11-27
THOSE RUMORS FROM EMOTION

In the face of disaster nerves become taut; the
specter of tragedy creates feeling that nothing is
adequate Human efforts somehow seem ineffective,
no matter how efficient We urged by very
natures to demand and more That natural
instinct for haste and speed under unusual circum
stances often leads to unfair and unwarranted criti
csm. 1t is the history OF catastrophy down through
the years.
1t is not at all novel that such condition arose
in Juneau in the present avalanche emergency 1t
is but human nature AS time heals the wounds the
folly of our own remarks will become apparent That
demand for superhuman effort will have passed
We all whipped to state of frenzed agony
late Tuesday afternoon when the word from
the scene Of death and destruction that the little
Lorraine Vanali had been heard in the mass of debris
The fact that it humanity impossible to the
child Immediately only caused all of to become
impatient. 1t the cali of our kind to baby in
distress. No is too hard, forsaken woman
too cold to answer that plea.
AS we in the community waited hour after hour
for that little girl be brought alive builded
in our minds the bugaboo of inefficiency Some of
us under the strain Of suspense lost control momen-
tarily of better judgment We revealed by ugly
words the shortcomings OF mankind We heaped Goals
of fire on the heads of frantic men who doing
their best and doing great deal better than most
of us could do. We created rumors and the rumors
grew in volume and vieiousness as they went the
rounds By Wednesday morning, after death had
closed the eyes of ttaIe lorraine Vana those
had reached nasty and unfair heights. The who
had directed that dramatic rescue were being flayed
with stinging words for noble work well done The
fact that their efforts had been futile in restoring
life only made of us the more bitter Juneau
will know any more scathing and unwarranted
denuncation than that which was hurled at those
who had worked almost ceaselessly day and
night since the disaster struck Some of roasted
them like the oft depicted picture of devils toastng
lost souls on the hot Goals of hell We recognized
only that little girl haa suffered and died So we
directed anger for that tragedy at the men who
had done everything humanity possible to rescue her
Now day of Thanksgiving has come and passed
The pause in daily tempo has ratonazed our minds
The men whom we had castigated stayed on the job
during the holiday carrying on the tragic work
Most of us recognize TODAY get our feet on the
ground, what we have known All along that they are
due the utmost praise for their sterling work No
human could do more than has been done in this
crisis.
1t is not the purpose of this comment to call
attention to the specific efforts of any individual
is not necessary 1t is sufficient to say that every
person involved in the work clearing away
the wreckage on Lower Franklin Street has done his
human best. Some have had important role
than others, but not has shirked his full duty
Each has done his full share and more and it may
hoped that the ugly rumors definitely dead. We
have more important work to do in this community
than to hurl unfounded charges at men who are
doing their best