Evening star., 1937-04-28
River
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committee and Representative Driver,
president of the National Rivers and
Harbors Congress, who held the figure
inadequate
More Flood Funds Held Need.
Twice that much is needed, Copeland
said, declaring 80 million dollars would
be just flea bite"
Prepared for any eventuality, despite
predictions that the flood would not
be as serious as last years, more
than 1000 men threw up sand bag
dlkes in West Potomac and Rock
Creek and Potomac Parkway late yes
terday and last night.
After the abutments were COM
pleted, the flood army continued on
duty throughout the night. ready to
take further protective measures if
necessary
Clearing skies and the absence of
winds were seen as important factors
IN the prevention Of serious inunda-
tons. An east or strong southeast
"lnd would have backed up the
waters and perhaps caused damaging
oVerf1oWS.
Trio Rescued.
The woman and two men rescued
by Williams were Mrs. Josephine
Leopold, Is; her husband, John 35. a
cab driver, and friend, Thomas Fen
ton, "a, all of Rosslyn, Va.
They were thrown into the river
when their canoe capsized above Kew
Bridge as they attempted to paddle
down the river to friends house boat.
The misnap was witnessed by T.
Keith Shreve, Arlington, Va. who
notified Park Policeman H. M. Berger
Racing to Memorial Bridge, Barger
met Williams. and both tossed life
preservers to the three as they hoated
downstream holding to the over
turned canoe.
When these rescue attempts proved
unsuccessful, Williams grabbed a rope
and drove with Berger along Me-
mortal Highway, almost to Highway
Bridge
Carrying the rescue line, the bridge
tender plunged into the swift current
and swan into the path OF the Leo
polds and Fenton, who were still cling
ing to the canoe. A crowd which had
gathered on shore pulled them to
safety.
The Leopolds and Fenton were treat
ed at Emergency Hospital for exposure
but Williams proceeded to his home at
1924 Fights street.
The Office Of Maj Walter D. Luplow
district engineer for the War Depart
ment for the Washington area, said
that by tomorrow the volume of water
in the Potomac here will be materially
reduced.
Tidal Action Registered.
Tidal action was registered on the
gauges Of the United States Engineer
Wharf near the Navy Yard at o clock
this morning, when the reading was
9.4 feet, compared with earlier read
ings at S am. Of 81 feet.
At Great Falls, in the March, 1895
flood, maximum of feet was reg
istered, but at midnight last night
the crest reached only 8 feet, and by
6 O'Clock this morning had dropped
to IT. feet. At Key Bridge, in March
1885, the greatest reading was 1873
feet, but at o'clock this morning
when the crest reached here, the best
the waters could do was 1873 feet
and by 8 o'clock this morning, there
was a drop Of tenth of foot.
A lessened flood this year COM
pared with last Spring was illustrated
at the Arlington Memorial Bridge
when the raging waters reached 1876
feet over a year ago and at O'Clock
this morning there were only 11.7
feet.
The peak at the United States En-
gineer Wharf was reached at 3 am
also, the reading there being 81
feet.
Maj. Luplow had predicted yester.
day that the food crest would be
"dattened out"-continuing for q lons
time. This Is precisely what ha,
happened. the Army engiaeers say
and Is very close to what they ex-
pected.
c. Marshall Finnan, superintend.
ent of the National Capital Parks
and his assistant, Frank T. Gartside
were in general charge Of the flood.
control work. There were 1000 Works
Progress Administration workers, toaa