The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-02-12

New York, February IL. - A story
Of the tense behind the-scenes fight
to overcome the chaotic effect Of
floods on food distribution is Strik-
ingly told In modest but graphic
reports to the Milk Industry Foun-
dalton.
As milk routes, dairy plants and
producing farms were engulfed by
the flood waters In many Ohio-Mis-
sissippi valley areas, war-like erner-
gency measures were taken by the
dairy industry TO supply milk TO
devastated communities.
One Of the main detectives was to
keep supplies OF pasteurized milk
moving to the flood-marooned to
safeguard health. Train loads OF
bottled milk we're shipped to the
outskirts OF cities where some pas
teurizing plants were under water.
Trucks pulled by tractors then
ploughed through the flood as lar az
possible to points where boats and
RATS picked up the milk cargo Tor
distribution.
Trucks Rushed
Milk was sent as far as Louisville
from Chicago by rail in bottles ready
for delivery. Big 2,000-gallon
glass-lined milk tank trucks OF Chi
caRo dairy firms also rushed fresh
water supplies TO Evansville and
other Indiana cities where water
shortages were acute. Tank trucks
OF Louisville diaries carried fresh
water for the Red Cross supply
there. Louisville dairies carried
fresh water for the Red Cross supply
there.
"As city pumping plant out OF
commission we are supplying pure
tested water from our deep wells TO
Red Cross and hospitals" came the
report from Evansville, Indiana.
Abundant milk supply, but deliv-
eryimen wearing hip-boots and using
roWboats and motor boats TO reach
babies and others. Also doing rescue
work. Three Of our people have had
nervous breakdowns because OF con-
tinued strain and under doctors care
with nurses. Large number en-
ployes and others sleeping In Our
auditorium. Maintaining emer-
gency steam equipment for refriger-
alton, etc, In case electric power
discontinued
Emergency Depots
At Louisville bottled fresh mix
was stacked along railroad tracks
and at emergency food depots on
Islands Of dry land spotted through
out the city. ready for holBe-to-
house delivery by boats.
In many sections executives OF
dairy companies and their routemen
because OF their special knowledge
Of distribution problems, were placed
in command OF emergency supply
depots and directed the distribution
OF milk and other foodstuffs." the
Louisville report said.
THE principal supply came IRON
Chicago as trains could cross TIT
Ohio on the high Kentucky anf
Indiana railroad bridge. One un'
loading point was at Market stree
and the railroad tracks and tractor
hauled the milk TO deep water where
Il was transferred TO boats. MIX
men then carried on the dStriou
ton down water filled streets u
families marooned ON the secont
floors OF their homes with deliver.
In baskets lowered 10 the boats.
In Relays
Milk was also unloaded from rail-
road cars at Garland street TO coas
guard surf boats commanded D!
Boatswain J. q. Brown OF FOR
Huron, Michigan. The coast guar
fought swift currents on Broadway
principal street. 10 reach Eigh
teenth, where the milk was loade'
into trucks plying through shalloy
water. BY relays Of boats mill
reached as far as the Brown note
In the heart OF the city.
"Seyeral dairy plants turned truck
and wagons over TO the Red Cros
TO aid distribution OF emergency sup
plies OF all kinds TO families on higi
land who were suffering from TN
paralysis OF the city's Distributing
system. II. B. Sawyer, head OF
Louisville dairy company, was II
charge OF major relief work AZ pres
idert of the Louisville Red Cross.
1.-TWO thousand-gallon milk TAM
trucks from Chicago supplied fresi
water" report from indiana
stated, "by driving daily to the IN
tersection OF two main thorough
fares while thirsty citizens were no
Titled by radio. Men, women a1'
children flocked 70 the emergenc.
water depot with pans and pals.
Chicago also sent a truck loade'
with 400 empty ten-gallon milk can
TO tn. southern Indiana borde
where the milkmen operated be
tween small towns hauling Il
emergency supplies OF fresh water.
In Cincinnati milk delivery wa
maintained under difficult cordi
tions through the cooperation o
producers, dairymen and delivery
men.
Round About
Milk was sent daily TO suburbai
Mount Washington, ten miles away,
the report stated. but the 100
necesestated Q circuitotis route Q
NO miles. The same condition OK
tsted In other Isolated suburbs. Z.
"A fleet OF flatboats delivered mill
70 niarooncd homes. 'Deisyerie