The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-21

cities of Lowell, Lawrence and Hav- erhill, the latter being hardest hit.
 More Newspapers Out
 The Lawrence Telegram, the Lawrence Eagle-Trlbune, and Hav- crhill Gazette were added to the growing list of newspapers whose presses were stilled by power fail- tire. In each case emergency meas Ires were being taken to publish skeleton editions.
 The waters of the Merrimack, choked with the wreckage of hous. es, barns and dead and dying cat- tie, pigs and dogs, swirled through Haverhill's business district ata a depth of seven to nine feet. More than 5000 of the city's 49,000 resi- dents were homeless, and both Hav- erhill hospitals were lightless. Fam inc threatened as the city was com- pletely isolated.
 Planes Grounded
 The emergency relief program suf- fered a critical blow when, with ceiling virtually zero, airplanes which had done valiant service in lieu of fiood-stalled trains and trucks were grounded throughout New England. Indications were that none would be able to take of during the weekend, Boston airport officials said.
 With fresh rains in New Hamp- shire, fears were renewed for the safety of Amoskeag dam in indus trial Manchester. Debris from up- river had been hammering at this vital bulwark for several days. Should the huge dam go out, the full force of the Merrimack would be loosed on Lowell, Lawrence and IIaverhill as well az smaller Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire com munities. The Amoskeag Manufac- turing companys Boston office re- ported shortly after 10:30 a. m. that Insofar as 1t knew the dam still was intact.
 No Gas, Electricity
 At Concord, to the northward, New Hampshire's capital still was without gas and electricity, though restoration of both services was hoped for by nightfall. The Mer- rImack had receded five feet dur ing the seven hours ended at 10 a. m, but 1t was raining intermit- tently.
 In Maine, where at least 16 com fnunities were isolated, the Andros- coggin, affecting Lewiston. Auburn, and Brunswick, had receded two feet during the night. The Kenne- bec, which caused tremendous dam age in Gardner and Hallowell and less serious damage at the capital city of Augusta, had receded five feet since D. m. yesterday but still was four feet over flood level. The Penobscot, affecting Bangor, was un- changed at the 11-foot level going over the city's dam.
 Saco River Feared
 Maines greatest immediate flood threat was the Saco river. compar- atively small but nevertheless vital water which rises in New Hamp- shires mountains, courses through southeastern Maine, and empties into the Atlantic near Biddeford and Saco. At West Buxton the Saco was flowing at the rate of 65,000 cubic feet second and was five feet above yesterdays level. It was ris- ing at the rate of ono and a quar- ter inches an hour. The water was up to the girders of the Boston & Maine railroad bridge in Biddeford.
 Saco, a manufacturing community with q population of 1000, had it's regular water supply cut of entirely and drinking water was being ra- toned. Only emergency trucks were permitted over weakened bridges in the Saco- Biddeford area.
 Roads Suspended
 All rail service between Boston and Portland, Me, beyond Newburyport on the eastern route and beyond Lawrence on the western route was suspended by the Boston & Maine railroad today when the Merri- mack's flood waters pounded the east end of a railroad bridge at New buryport. The span was closed at high tide unti lthe water had re- ceded enough to permit inspection of damage.
 The Boston & Maine reported the following lines still open:
 Boston to Newburyport.
 Boston to Gardner.
 Boston to Worcester freight oniy).
 Greenfield to Troy, N. F., and points west.
 IsnSger of milk shortage in metro politah Boston was diggipated when De BoaEon & Maine reopsned gerv- Dc on fts Conway. N IT,, brafich hon nortsmouth to Inyervale. n. H. This line taTw vital milk aowfceg supplying many of metropolitan Bos- tunia 1. .7l0. .coa inhahlkanka