Evening star., 1936-03-19
TURNS
TO FLOOD CLEANUP

SsSSi SAFitAss "a &tJ ~SN
Overnight, Surveys rs
Million Damage.
Copyright. 1896. by the Associated Press)
PITTSBURGH, Pa, March 19.-
Americas steel capital threw all its
resources into relief and rehabilitation
work today as a great flood rolled back,
leaving six known dead and damage
Of more than s25, ,000, 900.
The renowned Golden Triangle,
wealthy business center, was under
martial rule with more than 1000 Ma
tional Guardsmen holding back all
unnecessary trafic and keeping out the
populace.
BY proclamation Of Mayor William
N. McNair 1t was legal holiday and
the business section was almost de-
serted.
There still was no electric power for
the great metropolis Of 100000 in
habitants and little prospect Of any
for day or two.
Gas Supplies Low.
Gas supplies were low and nom
existent in some homes.
Hospitals were not affected by the
cessation OF power which plunged the
city in inky blackness throughout the
night They all had emergency sys-
TENS Of their own.
Many institutions became havens
for food refugees, injured or those
suffering from exposure after fleeing
their homes.
The greatest food in Pittsburgh's
history hit 45s feet. 20.9 feet above
food level, before the backward move
ment began. BY daylight the stage
was down 4 feet and falling at the
rate Of half a foot an hour.
Transportation and communication
agencies hoped that by nightfall they
could restore at least partial service.
Water was being pumped from the
Bell Telephone Co.'S exchange to al
low resumption Of emergency service.
Much Suffering Reported.
Reports of suffering poured in from
all sides to the burdened Red Cross
agency. Fires and explosions injured
at least half O hundred parsons. and
entire families were dependent upon
what food could reach them from the
relief agencies.
Two million dollars was available
from the city and Federal govern
ments to aid the helpless and indica-
tions were It would all be needed.
Pittsburgh was orderly.
City in Darkness.
Last night all lights flickered out,
plunging the city into darkness.
Transportation and communication
systems failed almost entirely.
In suburban Braddock more than
2,500 persons were forced from their
homes by the swollen Monongahela.
Fifty blocks in Braddock were under
water. Two hundred special officers
aided in guarding flooded buildings.
The Edgar Thompson works of the
Carnegie Illinois Steel Co. were closed
by flood waters, throwing $500 men
out Of employment.
About 500 men, women and children
were reported marooned in the Blaine
School in suburban McKees Rocks.
Red Cross officials said calls for aid
said water had reached the second
floor of the structure. They said no
rescuers could reach the school be-
cause Of the high current and debris
In the street.
Boats Due From Cleveland.
The officials said they were waiting
for power boats expected from Cleve-
land.
A houseboat dweller drowned in the
Ohio River in vain effort to rescue
his wife, who toppled from the boat.
Witnesses said the man plunged into
the swollen stream and swan to the
wornan,s side. Both were swept down
stream. Neither was identified.
At suburban Sharpsburg. one un-
identified man drowned and between
500 and 400 persons were friarooned
in the upper floors of their homes and
branches Of trees. Rescuers went to
their aid in small skiffs.
Safety Director Dunn ordered that
until the food subsidies, police must
devote all their efforts to prevent loss
of life. He forbade efforts to save
property Immediately.
Motorists Stranded.
Hundreds of motorists found them
selves stranded, unable to buy gaso-
line because storage tanks were
flooded.
An almost holiday atmosphere had
prevailed yesterday before the city
realized the extent Of the food.
Thousands thronged the streets, re-
leased from their jobs In stores and
business places. They talked glee-
fully of the unexpected holiday, and
wished for more "breaksqike this"
Then, as the power failed. dismay
came. Water companies warned of
shortages after debris clogged pump
ing lines. Gas companies reported
pressures might run low. Electricians
said days may elapse before power
and light can be restored.
Fire added to the terrors. One
blaze, preceded by the explosion Of a
submerged eaapyns tank car. injured
nom than seoFs. Destroyed four