Altoona Tribune from Altoona, Pennsylvania • Page 1

THE WEATHER SPRING'S DEBUT (SI Cloadjr, colder ia aouth portloa St-ardajr; aaew Saturday maralaf; Sua-day geaerally lair. TESTERIMT-S TMfPKKATUKES A. M. It Nooa P. M.

45 Midaifht 4 CHICAGO, Mar. M. (AP Sprint made a punctual advent today at p. eeatera. standard time despite flood, and other reminders of winter's long and costly visit.

A VIGOROUS NEWSPAPER IN A PROGRESSIVE TERRITORY A TTirw A'C Only Associated ALTOONA, SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH 21, 1936 PHONE 8181 Coattaaoaaly Pabllaked 8iac Jaaaary 18M HOMELESS 50,000 FEDE1RAL ASKS EA1RLE Sunbury Quarantined As Pestilence Grips City; Williamsport in Ruins River Runs Wild- A Flood Tragedy 1 Iwf II! VV V4vS Sser xf4 1 II T. Vm )) Vigilantes Battle Food Raiders in Flood Area PRICE, TWO CENTS AID HARRISBURG, Mar. 20. (A.P.) The department of health announced tonight that Sunbury; has been placed under strict quarantine because of an outbreak of scarlet fever and diphtheria. Sunbury officials reported tonight that many cases of illness are being cared for in hospitals and homes and that as many refugees as possible are being taken to Shamo-kin and Mount Car-mel.

A special train carried 400 persons to Shamokin tonight. Desolation and death mounted hourly In the wide flood-torn eastern-central Pennsylvania area tonight as subsiding rivers revealed more and more of the tragic toll tney naa tan a tnree-aay rein of ruin. So great was the destruction and so huge did It threaten to become, that Governor Earle wired an appeal to Washington for a federal fund to help the commonwealth In Its fleht for relief and recovery. The fatality total In the area jumped from 26 to 29 at nightfall with the death of two men, on a mercy errand to feed cattle near Wilkes-Barre, and the finding of a fifth body at Sunbury, where three others lost their lives during the day. The list of homeless grew to well over 50,000, and loss and damage estimates were in the millions.

The Susquehanna raging torrent that had torn at Pennsylvania from its New York boundary to its Maryland border was definitely on the way down, although with maddening slowness, as was the Juniata, which had surged through the central area. But the historic Delaware near Philadelphia, showing little sign of giving in, took the life of man a few miles upstream, and then inundated the Quaker city's river front. Virtually every activity except flood relief was paralyzed or criDDled in the stricken sectors. Food and water supplies were threatened in many sections. Gas and electric services were crippled or shut down completely all through the region.

The recession of the rampant waters was so slow that any work of reconstruction was impossible. All forces were concentrated on the relief of suffering and the major problem of preventing the spread of disease which faced nearly all communities. The military guarding against looting took control of a 15-mile stretch in the doubly-stricken Wyoming valley anthracite area of northeastern Pennsylvania, where Wilkes-Barre and Its neighboring communities were hard hit only a week ago. Fourteen thousand were homeless there. The gas supply was shut down for the second straight day.

Power and JlgSi facilities were crippled. The Susquehanna's waters were still three to four feet deep all over west and south Wilkes-Barre, and covered the west side of the river, opposite, ten or 11 feet. Coast guard men and boats rushed their rescue work throughout the region, as more rain was forecast for tomorrow. At Williamsport and other places in the still virtually Isolated valley of the Susquehanna's west branch In central Pennsylvania, conditions were appalling. The first direct word from Williamsport told of three days of fire, flood and near destitution.

An appeal was broadcast for Immediate medical supplies, clothing, stoves, food and medical personnel. The river, dropping back to its banks after covering Wll-Hamsport, Revono, Lock Haven, Sunbury and every other community in the sector, left behind (Caatlaaaa aa Fas t. Cat Defense Reveals New -Angles Altoonan Testifies In Own Defense at Night Court; Tells Story of Mrs. Moore's Death A new was revealed in the Strawmyre murder trial at the evening session yesterday, when Attorney Samuel H. Jubellrer, in opening the defense side of the case, said that Strawmyre did leave Mrs.

Viola Moore, whom he is accused of killing, out of his car, when he took her home, at a point near her residence, but that she got in again and the pair proceeded to the vicinity of the ore holes, East Altoona, where after a time he had intimate relations with her and soon after she fell on the road and he with difficulty got her in the car and came to Altoona with her in an unconscious condition. And after driving about for some time finally placed her in the The attorney said his client did not tell this story before, as he was afraid, after the reception he got at city hall, where his story was not believed. He vehemently told of rough treatment Strawmyre got at the interview with Captain Carey and other police officers at city hall and said he would show that his client is Innocent of the crime with which heis charged. Strawmyre wis called to stand nd told a clear story in a measured manner, seemingly being greatly affected and displaying considerable nervousness, pausing frequently, as If making a strong effort to keep from breaking down. At the conclusion of his story, when accusing District Attorney Puderbaugh of hounding him at city hall, especially in glaring at him and gruffly asking what he killed the woman for? lost control of himself completely and apparently gave way to a nervous breakdown.

-Standing up and wildly waving his arms in a voice tense with emotion, he violently accused Mr. Puderbaugh of brow beating him one of his swinging arms struck a paper cup filled with water and hurled it across the bar, causing much excitement among the big crowd that filled the court room to overflowing. Judge Patterson remarked to Mr. Jubellrer that he could not allow such a demonstration In the court room, when the witness who calmed down, profusely apologized to the court, remarking that he had lost control of himself, and was extremely sorry to have created a scene. Strawmyre told his movements of the fatal night in detail.

He told how he met the woman at the Crystal hotel, stating he did not know her previously. He said they sat at a table and drank beer and danced. When dancing he noticed her standing very close to him and was suspicious of her action. She remarked, "does this kind of dancing make you feel funny?" Told of her suggesting, they go to the Hollywood Inn, he saying that he did not care to go there, but finally agreed to go, and they reached the Inn at about 12:30 a. m.

where they danced also. He said the woman was in a very hilarious mood and attracted con siderable attention by her action. She remarked she believed there was something wrong with her heels, when dancing. He said they both drank beer at the Hollywood. She told him to (Coatiaaed ea Pare Col.

1) Strict Ban Placed In Johnstown Hundreds of automobiles Jammed the downtown section of Johnstown yesterday, hampering workmen "vho are working day and night in an effort to clear the streets of huge piles of debris. The state highway department announced last night the following order: No automobiles will be permitted in the first, second, third and fourth wards of Johnstown city until further notice." The only cars permitted in this section will be those bearing doctors, nurses and relief workers. Passes, which were issued during the past three days, will not be recognized, the patrolmen said. By The Associated Press The crests of death-dealing floods neared the Atlantic ocean and the Mississippi river today, (Saturday) leaving scores of stricken towns in many states too busy with rescue and relief work to start reconstruction. The death list stood at 152.

The broad valley of the Ohio river eased the tension of the torrent in the Alleg-henies, but a north-and-south strip down the center of New England was a virtual lake and eastern Pennsylvania had meager reports from several darkened, famine-fearing isolated towns. Vigilantes in Leetsdale. fought food raiders from another town. Groups of men, identified by Police Chief A. W.

Nolan of Leetsdale as being from Ambridge, invaded the little town on the Ohio river below Pittsburg. National guardsmen hurried from Pittsburg in answer to Nolan's call for help. After a battle, nine of the invaders were arrested. Hartford, was in darkness. The last electric generator surrendered to the waters of the raging Connecticut river.

National guards were increased to prevent looting. Middletown, below Hartford, with its 25,000 inhabitants had no electricity. Williamsport Digs Out Of Mud WILLIAMSPORT, Mar. 20. JP) No story could tell the story of this once spotless town attempting to purge itself of mud, slime and devastation wrought by 36 feet of Susquehanna flood water.

The streets of the business section were free of water tonight and pumps of every type and description were as much in demand and as valuable as boats of yesterday and the day before. Two Weeks ago the city organized for serious floods threatened by the ice breakup end it was only because of this preparation that only two died in this later unexpected flood which drove from their homes. Schools and churches have sheltered the refugees and there is ample food, but the need for clothing is great as the homeless return to damp, cold structures that once were homes. Mayor Charles D. Wolfe estimated the damage at $2,000,000 but others placed the loss as high as three millions.

Two thirds of the city, from door to door throughout business and residen-(Contlnaed an Pane t. Col. I) Keith Band Gives Concert in Johnstown The Keith Junior High school band was taken to Johnstown yesterday afternoon to give a public concert in the flood-stricken city. Brigadier-General Edward Martin commanding the 55th Infantry brigade of which the Altoona units of the 110th Infantry are a part made a special request that a local band be sent there. He felt that music would cheer the people of the prostrated city and would help raise the Johnstown Seeks Flood Victims JOHNSTOWN, Mar.

20. UP) An unofficial revised and corrected death list of victims in the Johnstown flood as announced by city officials follows: Drowned: Walter Billenti, 18, of Beaver-dale. Faber Eckenrode, farmer of Lor etto. Louis S. Ansman, farmer of Loretto.

Daniel Gallagher, motorman of Johnstown. S. W. Buohannon, merchant, Johnstown. Peter Kostof, merchant, Jdhns-town.

James Langham, aged 10, Johnstown. Mrs. Cecelia Wehn, Johnstown. An unidentified man of Patton, Pa. Died Of Shock: Mrs.

Murray Engleheart, 69 Johnstown. Mrs. Anna Kristof, 44, of Johns town. Mrs Laura Clark. Pneumonia Deaths: Anthony Galardo, 6, Johnstown.

Accident Death: Joseph Yenovlch, 19, died of fractured skull, Johnstown. Suicide Deaths: Samuel Isaacson, 58, of Johnstown. By MARBEN GRAHAM Mar. 20 (IP) The deceptive little Conemaugh slid placidly along well within its banks tonight, after causing wreckage, death and horror in its three-day rampage here. Damages estimated at between $30,000,000 and $50,000,000 was left in its churning wake.

Mayor Daniel Shields started desperate action to prevent the "flood city" from becoming a derelict town, ita business and industry crushed, its inhabitants Impoverished. He presented an urgent plea to President Roosevelt for a special $10,000,000 rehabilitation fund. He sought the money to restore public buildings, sewers, streets and bridges wiped out by the flood. He planned also to save tottering business and industry with loans. Many business men previously asserted they faced certain economic ruin with this added blow (Continued on Page I.

Col. t) PRR Speeds Track Repair Work Late last night Pennsylvania railroad officials were still struggling desperately in an attempt to resume service between this city and the east. Traffic to Harrlsburg, Philadelphia and the coast cities has been at a standstill since Tuesday afternoon. Movement was expected to begin last night over the Harria-burg-Philadelphla division. The washout of the tracks occurred near Schumann's Bridges about a mile and a half east of Barree.

There the Juniata river sweeping eastward after passing under the twin bridges had completely washed away the earth supporting the eaatbound tracks and undermined those which carry westbound traffic. For a distance of about 150 feet the tracks are suspended in air. Hundreds of workers are on the scene and every effort Is being made to trestle the gap. All kinds of supplies have been rushed there and workers are being fed and sheltered In the vicinity. At least two other tracks have been made available for traffic at all other points where washouts W'aatlaaas aa face Cat Top, a rained cottage blocking the.

William Penn hlphway along the Frankstown Juniata near Point View is shown in the above photograph, taken Wednesday morning by Arthur Nler. Below. Volunteer workers are shown here claiming the body of D. C. Johnson, manager of Alfarata park, about seven miles west of Huntingdon, who was drowned Wednesday.

Mr. Johnson was believed to have been trapped in a building at the park, after going to the center to inspect the buildings after they had been flooded during the pist week (Photo by Arthur Nler). Hundred Tons of Flood Relief Supplies Sent from Here Governor Bans Beer, Liquor Sales Recovery Speeded by Tyrone Smoke again belched from chimneys of mo Tyrone homes last night as the borough speedily shook off effects of its most damaging flood in history and rekindled furnace fires extinguished by Tuesday's high waters. Notice that Tyrone wanted to emerge "on its own power" was implied in a warning issued last night by Burgess Raymond A. Hagerman that the borough would not tolerate the presence Of "curiosity seekers." National guardsmen patrolled the streets again yesterday and will remain on duty, until all danger of looting' is passed.

A 7 p. m. curfew is in force until such a time as all windows have been restored and merchants and householders have the situation fully in hand. Lacking gas service, Tyrone housewives turned to coal oil stoves, electric percolators and hot plates yesterday to provide hot food for their families. Burgess Hagerman estimated last night that no more than 100 home till tenanted were without furnace fires.

Numerous families (Cratiaata aa rasa S. Cat, state emergency relief in Blair and Bedford counties, yesterday placed his resources at 'the disposal of the central relief committee which Mr. Perry heads. He urged cooperation among all agencies to cut down duplication of effort. Mr.

Jones stated that the visitors of the local relief organization are contacting all relief families involved in the disaster and cutting all red tape in an effort to relieve suffering. The local relief organization has met the requests of the local chapter of the Red Cross for personnel. Several persons have been borrowed by the latter organization for clerical work. A number of persons recently released as the relief work dwindled have been reemployed. Special disbursing offices have been established in Bedford and Riddlesburg by the state relief organization and persons in distress are being aided.

In sections where the Red Cross is not operating complete relief work is being undertaken by the state group. Mr. Jones when asked yesterday what effect the disaster would have upon the relief rolls, said, "I am in no position as yet to state how much the case load will Increase One hundred tons of flood relief supplies, the gift of the people of this city, were dispatched from Al-toona to the desolated cities and towns of the central Pennsylvania district yesterday. Cash amounting to $4,500 has been received by the local chapter of the Red Cross, according to David Perry, general chairman of the local relief com- mittee. Many tons of food, clothing and bedding have been collected in the city and are being held at the emergency relief storage headquarters of the Red Cross in Mc-Naughton's old store on Twelfth street near Twelfth avenue.

Local Red Cross authorities last night stated that these supplies would be distributed in those sections most in need of immediate assistance. They stressed the fact that recovery from a major disaster such as the floods of the past week can not be accomplished overnight and stated that the residents of the districts that were hardest hit will need aid continued for a long period. Of the 100 tons of supplies sent out yesterday by the local Red Cross chapter about 40 tons were foodstuffs and the remainder bedding and clothing. William J. Jones, supervisor of While flooded areas of the slate are suffering from a water shortage this city is faced with a beer and liquor drought.

In accordance with Governor George H. Earle's proclamation closing the liquor stores and all beer and liquor dispensaries for the duration of the flood emergency, local police were busy last.night enforcing the edict. The police were swamped with calls from persons who wer unable to understand why this city which is not a severe sufferer from the flood should be included In the area made dry by the governor's order. It was explained to them that the entire county of Blair was included in the 18 in which a state of emergency was proclaimed to exist The duration of the dry spell Is not known as another proclamation from the governor is necessary to lift the ban on alcoholic beverages. The state liquor stores here closed Immediately upon receipt of instructions from the proper authorities.

ea Page CeL S)..