The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-14
CONN. RIVER IS
 GROWING WORSE
Continued from Page l) limantic and Hartford where several hundred were without food or shelter.
Stricken Families

Stricken families at Willimantic were housed temporarily at the American Thread Company plant,
 The crest of the Connecticut river flood was expected to be reached early tonight. The peak level of 29.4 feet of 1927, however, probably would not be equalled, weather ob- servers said.
 Available information indicates that the Hartford crest will be somewhat above 24 feet" Federal Meteorological Leslie P. Conover arl- nounced.
 With exception of the Connecti- cut, rivers throughout the state were receding and more than 1000 WPA workers engaged in rehabili- tating destitute families, clearing highways and debris.
 Body Not Fouad
 The body of Harry Anderson, 26, Brooklyn, N. r., Q mechanic at Si- korsky Aviation Corp, Stratford. had not been recovered today from Housatonic river where he was drowned while attempting to launch an Amphibian plane. Three con1- panions were rescued.
 Damage statewide ran into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and the loss at the Connecticut Light & Power O., plant at Scot- land Dam was estimated at more than $200,000.
 Disintergration of ice relieved the tension in almost every section where the highest waters in more than 30 years had been reported. In New England Boston, March 14.- (UP)--The swollen waters of the Merrimack river--greatest threat in New Eng lands flood area-began receding gradually today.
 Though this promised temporary relief, forecast of rain for tonight caused fresh apprehension through out the six northeastern states where flood waters have taken nine lives, resulted in millions of dollars property damage, left thousands homeless and more thousands job less.
 At Haverhill the Merrimack re- ceded four inches between s and a. m. Slight recessions likewise were reported at Lowell and at Manches- ter, N. H.
 Colder weather overnight also brought some improvement in the flood situations along the Andros- coggin and Kennebec rivers in Maine.
 Two Drownings Two drownings had increased New Englands death toll to nine. Arthur Lamere, West Windsor, Vt., line- man. perished in Williams river near Bellows Falls, Vt., and Edward Gus teau of Milton, N. H., was swept of dam to his death in the Salmon river.
 Tn Haverhill alone 380 families were ordered to evacuate their homes.
 It was estimated that at least 75,- 900 New Englanders were jobless be- cause of inundated mills.
 Relief Plans Pushed
 Relief plans were pushed by both federal and state governments. Red Cross officials organized ex- petitions to relieve suffering of homeless families. Three coast guard amphibians were held in readiness at the Salem base for emergency rescue work in the flood areas.
 In some communities officials con- | sidered possible appeals to the fed- eral government for army bombing planes to break menacing ice jams.
 The current floods differ from those of 1927 in that the rivers are now choked with ice. Scores of bridges and several buildings have been battered down in Massachu- setts. Maine and New Hampshire by these ice foes.
 Concord Hard It
 Concord. N. H.. was especially hard hit. Conditions there were described as fully as serious as in 1927. No less than 5000 families were forced to abandon their homes. As far as transportation was concerned, the city last night was cut of from the outside world
 Lawrence's water supply was inc lsarilled as fec cakes damned and blocked the inflow i1to reservoirs There was enough water in the res- ervolrs. however. to last four days, city officials said.