Gov. Nice Makes Personal Inspection Of Flood Areas, 3-20-1936

Gov. Nice Makes Personal Inspection Of Flood Areas

Arrives At Point Of Rocks To Find Water Ten Feet Deep In Streets; Issues Formal Statement Calling On State Legislature To Take Emergency Action; Asks $3,200,000 Bond Issue

Point of Rocks, Md., March 20 —Scenes of utter desolation greeted Gov. Harry W. Nice in Western Maryland today as the executive, accompanied only by a state trooper, arrived unexpectedly for an inspection tour of the flood-stricken Potomac valley.

Thousands of homeless, beleagured citizens looked eagerly to the Governor for rehabilitation aid as the murky waters of the historic river receded grudgingly from scores of battered cities and towns between here and Cumberland.

In his first official act after arriving on the scene, Governor Nice issued a formal statement calling on the state legislature to take emergency action. He asked that a $3,200,000 bond issue be authorized for repair of highways and bridges.

Arriving here at 7:30 a. m., the Governor found water ten feet deep in the streets. He conferred first with Charles L. Blentlinger, school principal, who had organized relief work, and promised the state's cooperation.

The Governor watched milk being served at the school building to the young children of homeless families.

He inspected the national guard and American Legion emergency kitchens and the Lutheran church where 25 women refugees spent the night on cots furnished by the Red Cross.

Touring the town, Nice conferred with and questioned officials of the Red Cross, Salvation Army, American Legion and National Guard, all aiding in the rehabilitation work.

Yesterday, after receiving telegraphic pleas for financial assistance from Cumberland, he wired the state's congressional delegation to seek federal funds. One thousand families were homeless in Cumberland, and losses ran into millions of dollars.

Leaving Maryland's second largest city, the flood crest swept down through the valley and on to Washington, ripping out bridges and inundating town after town. Here, the water reached a depth of 30 feet in main street.

The Governor planned his arrival to coincide with the serving of breakfast by three national guard field kitchens. Over half of the 600 residents were driven from their homes and were totally without resources.

Dr. E. C. Kefauver, Frederick county health officer, ordered every resident inoculated today against typhoid fever.

Lieut. Col. Elmer Munshower, ranking national guard officer, made plans for a provisional government in the community until the water has gone down and refugees have been cared for. Pour of the 75 houses here were swept away and (Continued On Page 12)