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Missoula, Nov. 2--(AP)--Students and faculties of Helena's two earthquake-ruined colleges, Carroll and Intermountain Union, have been invited by acting President F. C. Scheuch of Montana State university to use the facilities of the Missoula institution until such time as reconstruction can be completed, it was revealed here today.
Telegrams sent Friday afternoon to the Rev. Emmett J. Reilly, president of Carroll college, and the Rev. Jesse Bunch, president of Intermountain Union, said:
"Montana State university invites Carroll and Intermountain Union colleges of Helena, Mont., to make use of its facilities during the present period of trail and distress."
The invitation was extended, Scheuch said today, in the face of the present crowded housing conditions at the university. However, the university's acting president feels that temporary arrangements can be made to handle the increased classroom load by arranging late afternoon and night classes during the period of emergency. There will be no attempt to assimilate the classes of the two Helena institutions with those of the state university. The state university would simply make possible the use of classrooms and equipment by Carrroll and Intermountain Union student bodies and faculties to carry on their regular curricula.
[Helena Independent; November 3, 1935]
Deer Lodge, Nov. 2--Miss Marie Kirwin was brought from Helena to Deer Lodge last evening in an ambulance. Miss Kirwin received severe head injuries on the night of the first bad quake in Helena and has been a patient at St. John's hospital in Helena since.
Miss Kirwin is being cared for by a nurse from the Helena hospital and will remain at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Kirwin, until fully recovered.
A man and two women, patients at St. John's hospital in Helena, were brought to Deer Lodge last night in a taxi. They will remain at the local hospital until recovered.
A number of other persons motored to Deer Lodge yesterday and spent the night with friends or at the hotels.
[Helena Independent; November 3, 1935]
Prepared To Maintain Communication If Wires Fail
Standing ready to do its part to help sufferers during the Helena earthquakes, is the Butte Radio club, with which is affiliated the Butte Amateur Radio club, according to word received here yesterday. These organizations are the largest of their kind in the United States with over 2,700 members.
On Thursday afternoon, Carl J. Trauerman of Butte, president of the Butte Radio club, in conjunction with Ben Hardin, head of the naval reserve radio operators in Butte called out all amateur, short-wave operators asking them to stand by and establish contacts with Helena short-wave operators, in the event that all wire communications to the state capital should be cut off. Contacts may be established either directly with Helena wireless stations or by relay with operators in other parts of Montana or in nearby states.
While a great many of the Helena operators may be effected by being cut off from electric power, a number of them have installed battery sets and can act efficiently independent of central power service.
Among those in Butte who were active Thursday night were Operators Crouter, Foster, Kistler, McKinnon, Sewalson, Gallinger, Cooper and station W7CHF and Assistant Operator Chevigny.
Operators in Helena are asked to establish Butte contacts, the Helena operators listed being:
Call No. Name Address
7AFQ-- Ray Stedman . . . . . . . 566 Highland
7AWM-- L. O. McCormick . . . . 611 Broadway
7BAS-- M. W. Kroll . . . . . . . .
7BBS-- W. A. Robinson . . . . . Pleasant Terrace
7BCH-- Norman J. Holter . . . . 522 Monroe
7BEM-- Glen C. Henry . . . . . . Kenwood
7BFA-- Richard Johnson . . . . 1206 Lamborn
7BIZ-- Fred R. Jeswine . . . . . 1125 Lexington
7BJC-- Ray O'Donnell . . . . . . . 837 Ninth
7BVQ-- S. V. Murphy . . . . . . . 556 Hillsdale
7BYR-- Jack Thompson . . . . . . 724 Monroe
7CLQ-- Robert W. Templeton . 216 N. Ewing
7EAI-- W. H. Steele . . . . . . . . . 719 Broadway
7EAL-- O. M. Woods . . . . . . . . 816 N. Rodney
7EKZ-- L. L. Stanley . . . . . . . . . 320 State
7MC-- Thos. G. Eckles . . . . . . 324 Clark
7TU-- V. K. Roberts . . . . . . . . 107 N. Warren
[Helena Independent; November 3, 1935]
Schools To Be Closed Until November 11 Is Report
Until such time as other arrangements are feasible, students of Helena's public schools may attend classes on the half-day plan, it was announced yesterday by R. O. Evans, superintendent, after a meeting of principals and instructors of the various institutions.
Mr. Evans also announced that as a great amount of repair work to the grade schools must be done before classes can be resumed, the schools cannot possibly be reopened before November 11.
Under the proposed half-day plan, classes for the high school students would be held at the Central and Hawthorne buildings. The grade school students of those buildings would use the school during half of the day, and the high school students would attend classes in the buildings during the other half of the day.
Following the demolition of the Bryant school by the earthquake of October 18, it was decided to take care of the students of that school at the Central and Broadwater buildings. Under the proposed half day plan, those students who would have been placed in the Central school will attend classes in the Jefferson and Emerson buildings.
"This plan will have to be adopted as an emergency provision," Mr. Evans stated, "although some of the teachers' work will have to be rearranged, and some sacrifices probably will have to be made on the part of a few students.
[Helena Independent; November 3, 1935]
Readers of The Independent will recall that NEVER during the last three weeks has this newspaper ever pretended to predict or indicate as to whether there would be more major earthquakes in this area. On the other hand it has condemned those who thought they knew something about the caprices of Nature.
After the first major quake, The Independent sought the aid of the Associated Press correspondents all over the United States to interview the leading scientists with regard to the history and records of other destructive quakes.
The verdict of these men was that there was no record of one major earthquake following another after an elapse of a reasonable time--twenty-four hours. On the other hand they represented that always after such a disturbance there were "vibrations" not so heavy and gradually diminishing in force, sometimes lasting for several days, at times for several months.
With two major earthquakes following one another in ten days, and more than seven hundred minor quakes and vibrations which were recorded, the Helena area has broken all records, perhaps set the scientists at naught.
But bear this in mind--The Independent gave the record and the experiences during and following other major earthquakes, which were to the effect that following the quake of October 18, it was not likely that another major earthquake would be experienced for many years. If the record went wrong, it is up to Nature and not to those who thought they knew something about earthquakes.
The Independent does not pretend to know, even now, about the frequency of earthquakes, neither do the almanac makers, other newspaper editors, and sometimes we doubt the exactness of scientific knowledge on the subject.
[Helena Independent; November 3, 1935]
There is a beautiful tradition in the United States, intensified by the people who dwell "out where the West begins." It is the tradition of helping our neighbors. This dates back to the time when labor was scarce and farmers, as well as small town folks, would band together in harvest time, in barn raising, it erecting a school house or a town hall.
The willingness of the American people to come to the aid of those in need is too well known to be discussed here. It has become an American by-word to be a good neighbor.
This has been demonstrated in Montana during the last two weeks when Helena has been shaken many times by devastating earthquakes. As soon as the news of the first earthquake reached our neighboring city of Billings, a check was immediately forwarded to Mayor C. J. Bausch for a substantial sum. Other cities have followed. Business organizations have met the moment they received news of these earthquakes, and not only passed resolutions of sympathy, but arranged to give financial aid to the city in caring for the needy. Stories sent out over the radio led other Montana cities to believe the business district of Helena was in ruins. Merchants in these cities offered stocks of goods. From far away New York came a check from a necktie manufacturer to the Christie Company, to help in any way needed. Newspapers in Montana offered aid to the papers of Helena--offered anything required or requested.
For all this assistance and offers of assistance, the people of Helena are deeply grateful.
Those who today live in more fortunate surroundings, whose food is clean and certain, whose homes and beds are warm, must realize that there are in Helena scores of people who must be cared for promptly. The relief organizations are caring for these people. In that way Montanans are continuing the tradition of being good neighbors, as suggested by President Roosevelt.
[Helena Independent; November 3, 1935]
Old Jack Dalton, who put on his red mittens and galloped away with the U. S. mail, has nothing on the clerks and carriers at the Helena postoffice, who have given the people here regular service, in all departments, despite the disruption in general activities occasioned by the earthquakes.
Postmaster Harry Hendricks, as well as several Helena people, yesterday commended the force at the Helena postoffice for their work during the emergency.
Hendricks said that everyone has been on the job as usual every day, and that not a single clerk or carrier had made a "kick" about having to work during these times.
Dick Tinker, a carrier, was at Lennox during the Thursday morning quake, and was hurt when some falling brick struck him. His leg was badly bruised, but Tinker carried on with his work without a whimper.
"This," Hendricks said, "has been the attitude and the loyalty of every postal employee during the emergency."
[Helena Independent; November 3, 1935]
MORALE OF CITY FOUND EXCELLENT
Self-Reliant
Workers Begin Survey Of Relief Needs of Helena
Helena's morale is returning.
That was the encouraging message brought back yesterday by a group of 40 grade and high school teachers upon completion of one-half of a comprehensive survey of the city.
The work is being carried on under the direction of a committee composed of Hugh R. Adair, chairman; Fred O. Robinson, Tate W. Peek and P. C. Albertson.
"Nearly everywhere the teachers went, they found a spirit of optimism, a desire to rebuild damaged properties as soon as possible, and a recovered morale," Mr. Robinson said.
Late yesterday afternoon the committee made its first report, some of the districts being entirely covered during the day. The survey will be finished by tomorrow. Information obtained yesterday was classified last evening, the urgent relief needs being turned over to the Red Cross and reports on dangerous properties given to the ERA "wrecking squadron."
"Many refused assistance, determined to go ahead by themselves in rebuilding and repairing their homes. Only among the jobless did the survey workers find immediate relief needs," Mr. Robinson said.
"You get me a tent now," one smelter worker said, "and when I've rebuilt my home I'll give it back."
In one small frame home, survey workers found 11 persons living as a family, but warm, comfortable and in good spirits.
A meeting of the workers was held at the Placer hotel yesterday morning before the survey was started. The object of the canvass was explained and full instructions were given.
"The actual purpose of this special committee is to speed the actual activity of getting rehabilitation in Helena started," Mr. Robinson explained. "After we find out what is needed, efforts will be made to get money for rebuilding and reconstruction."
Speakers at the meeting yesterday morning included: Stuart Bingham of the RFC, Norman Winestine of the Capital City Rehabilitation corporation, Barclay Craighead of the Federal Housing administration, E. S. Transue of the Red Cross, Judge A. J. Galen, who presented a picture of the job awaiting the workers after he and Mr. Adair had made a preliminary survey Sunday; O. C. Lamport, secretary of the chamber of commerce, who advised the group that the facilities of his office were at the disposal of those undertaking the work.
Everything north of the Northern Pacific track, Main street to city limits east and between the Great Northern and Northern Pacific tracks, the triangle formed by the G. N. tracks and Helena avenue, the triangle bounded by Helena avenue and Rodney street, between Rodney and Montana, between Eleventh and Helena avenues, from Townsend avenue to the G. N. tracks between Montana avenue east to the city limits from Townsend to Eleventh between Montana and the city limits, from Davis to Montana between Sixth and Eleventh, from Montana and Eleventh east including Lenox, from Davis to capitol between Sixth and Broadway, between Davis and capitol and from Broadway south, from Davis to the business district between Eleventh and Broadway, from Broadway south between Main and Davis, south of Lawrence from business district out, between Benton and G. N. from Neill to Carroll college and including the G. N. bunk cars, from Benton west and Hauser boulevard north, East Helena.
Information received in the survey is to be classified for the benefit of Helena residents in an effort to help get them started on the road to rehabilitation.
Following the meeting it was announced that Miss Ora Conway will be stationed at the chamber of commerce office in the Placer hotel and that it will be possible to fill out blanks there if any person is not at home when the workers call.
Efforts are being made to contact every person in the above districts so that they will know what to do and where to go for assistance, it was stated at the meeting.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
Scores Busy
Great Activity Noted In All Parts As Crews Speed
There was no room for the jitters in Helena yesterday as the Capital city definitely entered upon the first important phase of its reconstruction program after the interruption occasioned by last Thursday's heavy earth contortion.
Throughout the city was to be heard the pounding of hammers, the shrill ripping of saws, the clang of pick and shovel removing fallen debris, as hundreds of workmen bent to the gigantic rebuilding task.
Activity was to be seen everywhere and many factors entered into the picture--the weather that emphasized the need of permanent housing for homeless families, the desire to rehabilitate homes and buildings not severely damaged before further loss should occur, and the desire to return to normal business and social life as soon as possible.
Once more Helena was demonstrating its great recuperative ability, its supreme confidence in its future and its unshakable spirit of self-reliance.
A total of 300 men, under the supervision of F. H. Marvin, ERA director for Montana, and Tom McCabe, head of the relief organization in Lewis and Clark county, were at work in Helena yesterday tearing down hazardous walls, segregating usable bricks from damaged ones, and hauling away debris.
In many parts of the city last night could be evidenced the fine work of these crews, which aided in restoring general order here.
James H. Rowe, the federal official in charge of the rehabilitation work, said yesterday that where houses are beyond repair and are endangering adjoining property, it is requested that owner of the property in danger get in touch with Secretary O. C. Lamport of the Chamber of Commerce immediately. Crews will be sent out right away to remove any such dangers.
Mr. Rowe yesterday highly commended the men who are working for him in the rehabilitation work. He especially praised Mr. McCabe, and Riley Mapes, state director of transient relief, who, he said, have been working night and day keeping the crews on the go.
He also pointed out that the moving of the orphans from St. Joseph's to Boulder Hot Springs had been successfully done by Supervisor Lou Boedecker of the highway patrol, State Treasurer James Brett, and the members of the patrol.
Another who have been giving constant aid to Mr. Rowe is Miles Romney, director of the state emergency council.
An added impetus was given to reconstruction plans when a force of six engineers and inspectors was made available for City Engineer Oscar Baarson.
Yesterday Mr. Baarson had the services of two new engineers authorized by James H. Rowe, representing Frank Walker of the new deal. The state highway commission again donated the services of two engineers, E. F. Moyle and Maxwell Mason, who assisted the city before. In addition he had the promise of F. H. Marvin of the ERA of perhaps half a dozen more engineers or inspectors.
Crews were engaged in tearing down dangerous buildings and walls on the request of property owners. This work will be done free, but the owners must sign a waiver relieving the city of all responsibility and liability. The work is being done by crews under the supervision of Commissioner of Streets Noble Evans.
Little has been done since Thursday in the matter of inspecting buildings for the issuance of certificates of occupancy, but this phase of the will be started again immediately. It will mean examination of practically all the principal buildings of the city for the second time.
There was ample indication on all sides of the improved morale of the people of the city, of lessened nerve tension and of a growing feeling that the worst was over.
While many persons were still out of the city, it was surprising the number who went about their usual routine with no show of the hidden fear that has lurked during the last three or four weeks.
Nearly everyone fell in step with the belief, "It might have been worse."
Here families were permitted to "bed down" at will, some taking a section of four to eight or ten cots. Some, seeking privacy, erected temporary blanket barriers but generally the sleepers rolled into their beds unmindful of who the person next door might be.
In one corner of this great room maintained by the Salvation Army was a colony of Chinese from Helena's famous old Oriental section. Ancient men, several stooped with the years and with grizzled mien, sat swathed in blankets by roaring fires as younger women sought solicitously to help them. One old man, they said, was nearing the century mark.
It was a jargon of jumbled words in this corner of the great room and no one but the colony sought to interfere or ask questions.
Slant-eyed youngsters, usurping the belief that "ne'r the twain shall meet," scampered over the feet of dozing elders; ran behind chairs or under cots and otherwise unleashed themselves with children of their new white neighbors.
Midway in the huge building a cook kept cauldrons of stew and coffee ready for any and all.
In the rear of the building a white clad nurse ministered to the ill or injured, victims of Thursday's fatal blast.
In a firm looking two-story building could be found several score youngsters soundly in their slumbers, wholly unmindful of the worry of those entrusted with their care. They were the children from the Montana Deaconess home in the Helena valley, a fireproof three-story building and annex, both riddled by the quakes.
The home given them was once the palatial dwelling of a Helena physician.
Just a few blocks up the street in the west side residential section slept more than 80 girls from the home of the Good Shepherd. Their abode, one of the finest of the old brown stone dwellings of another era in Helena, was built by a Montana pioneer, T. C. Power. For years it was dark until the quakes permitted its opening to shelter the unfortunate wards.
In the guild halls of St. Peter's pro-cathedral were temporarily housed the 60 girls of the Crittenton home. A massive kitchen and a huge assembly hall provided them every convenient facility. However cots rested their bodies.
Physicians believed she would recover if removed from the quake zone. Her husband also is a refugee.
The Red Cross emergency branch was jammed with unfortunates seeking aid in restoring themselves and their families. Transue said registrations neared 225 and that it was a good indication.
"It means," he said, "that people are now determinedly going ahead to find a way out of their difficulties."
The Red Cross has promised to help all who are victims of the earths almost constant tossing.
The Helena slogan, he said, is rightfully, "Meet the need."
Director Rowe also assigned a force of men Monday to finishing the interior of the Montana Children's Home hospital on Helena avenue for the use of St. John's hospital. It will provide from 40 to 50 additional beds under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy whose building on Catholic hill was virtually destroyed.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
UP TO ICKES, TRUSTEES TOLD
Difficulties and problems that face Helena's badly battered school system were aired last night at a meeting of the trustees, who were advised by J. H. Rowe, a personal representative of Frank Walker, that the matter of the government financing the repair of the high school and of rebuilding the Bryant school has been left to the decision of Secretary Ickes of the department of the interior.
Mr. Rowe received a call yesterday morning from Col. H. B. Hackett of the Public Works administration that was most encouraging, and Hackett said that he would take the matter up with Secretary Ickes on Wednesday, when the latter returns to Washington.
Hugenin explained to the board members the damage that he had found since the second big shock.
On motion of Trustee Alex Wardlaw, the board decided to employ an engineer to go over the high school and other school buildings to determine what had to be done to make them safe for occupancy.
This engineer will also investigate the construction of the high school. Since the earthquakes caused the damage at the new half million dollar structure there have been many rumors and stories afloat as to faulty construction, and it is hoped that the report of the engineer to be employed will clear up the matter once and for all.
Architect Hugenin said that he gladly invited a thorough inspection of the building.
Chairman E. M. Hall of the school board said that Engineer Hein of the treasury department, who was sent here to look over the federal building and assay office after the big earthquake, told him that there was "no criticism at all on the construction of the high school building." At the time that it was erected, Helena was not considered in an earthquake zone, it was pointed out.
Dr. Thomas L. Hawkins was named by Chairman Hall to secure a competent structural engineer to inspect the high school and other buildings of the system.
When the report of the engineer is made, it will be published.
As to the opening of school, the board announced that classes will be resumed as soon as buildings have been repaired and thoroughly inspected and not before.
Aviation classes in the high school, however, are expected to start next week at the hangar of the Helena airport. William Fahrner, the instructor, said that the schools could use the hangar for the payment of approximately $20 a month for heat. On motion of Trustee Hawkins, the plan was approved.
Trustee L. S. Hazard made a motion to have the fire insurance on the new high school building reduced from $388,000 to $200,000, and this was approved. The insurance on the equipment, however, remains at $12,000.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
IS DUE FOR FINAL PASSAGE
If the city council is successful in organizing itself today, it will hold a meeting at 10 o'clock a.m., in the water department offices to consider upon second and final reading the passage of a proposed amendment to the local building code providing for earthquake resistance construction on new buildings and repairs on damaged properties.
The amendment was passed on first reading a week ago. It is patterned after the Long Beach, Calif., ordinance, drafted by capable structural engineers following the 1933 earthquake, and altered here to fit Montana's particular types of construction and the cold climate.
It is thought that if the council manages to get together today, when the earthquake resistance building amendment is slated for final passage, other important matters in connection with the city's catastrophe will be discussed, including plans for a temporary or new city hall, providing more clerical help in the city engineer's office, and passing a supplemental emergency ordinance to pay the 41 national guardsmen who gave such good service until released Saturday evening.
The national guardsmen were released Saturday evening when Mr. Rowe was able to authorize the employment of five patrolmen and their cars for the city. The Montana highway patrol, summoned by radio to concentrate in Helena after the first of a series of destructive earthquakes, has been on 24-hour duty since and is helping the city during the emergency. Eleven patrol cars are on duty each night, including the five obtained by Mr. Rowe and paid for the government.
Fortunately the patrol chief said, looting has been held to a minimum with but two arrests for attempted pilfering of damaged places.
Though Helena was thronged with sightseers a week ago Sunday, there were but few largely because of a request broadcast by the patrol to avoid congestion where every effort is being made towards restoration.
There is also some confusion in the minds of city officials whether or not the council must approve releases for liability, signed and sworn to by property owners, before razing work can be done. Commissioner Shellady said yesterday that it was his opinion that such approval was unnecessary, although they must be filed with that body. Such releases, however, must be notarized.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
At midnight last night the Helena weather bureau reported that it had recorded the 836th distinct tremor since Oct. 12.
There was some cheering news in the report that the mercury stood at 30 above at midnight, and indication that it would go above the freezing mark today. Better weather will greatly facilitate rehabilitation activities in the city.
There were 28 tremors recorded at the weather bureau for the 24-hour period ending at midnight, three of which were classified as "strong." The strong ones occurred at 4:23 and 5:42 yesterday morning, and at 10:36 last night.
The shakes yesterday morning were severe enough to awaken many who said that up to that time they had succeeded in sleeping through the minor jolts.
It was said that the 5:42 tremor was felt at Butte, Bozeman and Missoula.
The early morning disturbance caused damage at the Denver block, which heretofore had escaped any great injury. The place was roped off as the east wall bulged. The wary roomers left in an orderly fashion, and later returned to gather up their possessions.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
Exaggerated and untrue radio broadcasts about Helena's plight after the recent earth shocks were yesterday condemned by Norman Winestine, president of the Helena Chamber of Commerce, who stated that news services have access to all of the facts of the disaster, and should be content with telling the truth about the city's condition.
"The majority of the news services have given accurate accounts of the recent happenings here," Mr. Winestine said, "but, there are a few stations which are not content with telling the plain truth, and their malicious reports are doing Helena a grave injustice."
Mr. Winestine said he had been receiving telephone calls from places as far distant as Florida, inquiring as to the safety of the city's residents.
"Many of the persons calling," he stated, "had been informed by radio broadcasts that the city was leveled, and that the ruins were being consumed by a great conflagration."
"We have made no attempt to cover up the facts of the situation here," he concluded, "and all that we ask of the news services throughout the country is that they give us an even break."
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
Drummond, Nov. 4--Thursday's earthquake caused little excitement among Drummond pupils as the teachers have been giving them drills regularly since the quake two weeks ago. Each child at signal gets under his or her desk. When the building began rocking the pupils immediately got under the desks and after the shocks ceased they were dismissed until after the lunch hour.
Plaster in the school building has some new cracks and a few old cracks have enlarged some, but to date no serious damage has been detected. The high school students upstairs felt the shock much more than those downstairs. No other buildings in town sustained damage. Many families from Helena having relatives in Drummond came back Thursday after the second quake, having felt it was safe to return to the capital last week.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
Yellowstone Park, Nov. 4--Yellowstone National park, with its geysers and thermal activities, is not the source of the recent earthquakes in western Montana, Dr. C. Max Bauer, park naturalist said.
Dr. Bauer, geologist with considerable experience in the study of earthquakes and their behavior, and other members of the naturalist department, have kept close check on all park features. The results of this investigation are disclosed in a report just submitted by Dr. Bauer to the park superintendent. The report was completed prior to the second big shock in Helena on October 31, but which was not felt in the park itself.
"Several visits have been made by the park naturalist to Norris Basin, Canyon and Lake and several calls on the phone to the Old Faithful ranger, who is a geologist, to inquire if any changes have taken place and a special inspection of the Upper Geyser Basin was made by officials of the park service. The results have all been negative.
"It is true that an old geyser crater in the Norris Basin became active during the last week. But such changes are common in the geyser and hot spring activity in the park and cannot be ascribed to earthquake activity in the Helena region.
"It is well proven that earthquakes in the park region have been prevalent in the geologic past and might, if they should occur again, change things in a remarkable way. But the fact remains that the earthquakes of the Helena area have not been felt in the park region and have not had their source in the park.
"This is the usual cause of earthquakes. There is another cause of earthquakes in regions of active volcanism. Such quakes are caused by more or less violent explosions in the active volcanoes. This kind of earthquake may be felt in Japan, Sumatra or in any country where violent volcanoes are now active.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
A standard recording thermometer in the poinsetta house of the State Nursery and Seed company greenhouses west of Helena served as a "seismograph" during the earthquakes of the last week, Bill Mills said yesterday. Whenever a shock of any intensity occurs, the needle on the thermometer makes a straight line diagonal to its regular course. The shock of last Thursday, however, nearly emptied the ink supply of the machine on the recording paper.
Mills said that the greenhouses and the down town store survived the quakes in good shape, although the foundations under the boilers at the greenhouses were considerably damaged.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
Missoula, Nov. 4--Buildings of the State university were not damaged by the earthquake Thursday morning, according to a statement made by officials. In the chemistry building plaster fell from the ceiling of one of the rooms. Expansion joints in the auditorium of the Student Union building show evidence of slight heaving.
The tremors were felt in classrooms of buildings throughout the campus. In Main hall the telephone switchboard was disconnected a few moments. There was little confusion among students although some classes were dismissed before the hour was finished.
Dr. J. P. Howe of the State university department of geology said that following a severe tremor there are many slighter ones due to the continued settling of the ground which might last for a year or more. Dr. Rowe is interested in the reports that cracks in the ground have been discovered in the vicinity of Helena.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
Officials of Helena Masonic lodges said yesterday that with the exception of Algeria temple, their buildings were not badly damaged by the series of earthquakes last month.
At the Masonic temple on Broadway, the principal damage was cracked plaster and loosened partitions. The Consistory, on Jackson street, survived the first major quake without injury, but the second one shook down some mortar above the stage. There was no structural damage so far as can be ascertained.
Additional plaster fell at the Masonic home in the Helena valley, but the structure withstood the shaking. Good morale has kept up at the home, where many aged people live, despite the shocks.
It was announced that a careful investigation of the Algeria temple will soon be made to determine the loss.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
Employees at the federal building were assured that the structure is safe, and that it was not structurally damaged during the earthquakes last month, when W. N. Collier of Kansas City, construction engineer in charge of the treasury department in this district, gave a talk in the court chambers yesterday. Mr. Collier's talk was based principally on the construction of the building, and his assurance set the employees back to work without fear that the shocks had did any damage that might make occupancy of the building risky.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
One hundred and fifteen youngsters, boys and girls, made homeless by the angry tossing of the earth last Thursday, Sunday night were enjoying the warmth and shelter of the Boulder Hot Springs hotel opened to them by Senator James E. Murray of Butte, the owner.
They were the wards of St. Joseph's orphanage in the Helena valley, one of many semi-public institutions made uninhabitable by the long series of damaging earthquakes.
In two great motor busses brought here from Anaconda, the youngsters were moved under the direction of Lou Boedecker of the state motor patrol. A convoy of patrolmen preceded the caravan to assure safety through the canyon.
Since Thursday the children had been quartered in warm coaches shunted to a track in the Northern Pacific yards. Prior to the removal, army trucks moved beds and clothing, food and supplies and other essentials.
Sixty-five hotel guests were requested to relinquish their quarters to provide adequate space for the youngsters.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
Governor Cooney Will Turn Check Over To Deaconess School
If distilleries selling their wares in Montana would follow the lead of the Glenmore Distilleries company of Louisville, Ky., relief rehabilitation in Helena would make rapid progress and many of those made homeless by the recent earthquakes would soon be "on their own" again. A wire was received yesterday from the Kentucky firm donating $500 to the city.
As soon as the check arrives, Governor Cooney will turn it over to the officials of the Deanoness school on North Montana avenue in the Helena valley for their use in repairing their properties severely damaged by the quakes. The children of the institution, between 50 and 60 are now being taken care of in the old Salvail hospital.
In its wire to Governor Cooney the distillery company said, "We are distressed to hear of the suffering of your citizens due to the recent earthquake. We are sending you our check for $500 and ask that you utilize this for relief purposes to the best advantage. If suffering is acute and additional funds required call on us."
Replying, Governor Cooney said, "The people of Helena keenly appreciate your thought of them and your generous donation. Rest assured that it will be judiciously applied for relief of suffering. My heartfelt thanks to you also."
The governor, in commenting on the donation, said that it was a splendid gesture and one worthy of commendation. Of the hundreds of liquor firms doing business in the state, it is the only one to date cognizant of the city's plight and anxious to aid in the emergency.
[Helena Independent; November 5, 1935]
SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM IS RISING
Tremors Go On
But All Activities For Reconstruction Are Moving On
Radiating a constantly growing optimism, those directing reconstruction of this quake-torn city yesterday could already visualize a new Helena emerging from her ruins--a stronger, sturdier, finer, more beautiful city.
Plans already under way indicated that the coming year will see the greatest building boom in the history of this 71-year-old city, and as a matter of course its greatest era of prosperity.
This fact is admitted by those who have looked at the situation cold-bloodedly and conservatively; who, having confidence in the courage and character of the pioneer stock inhabiting the city, have considered every angle of the picture and have found only cause for faith and optimism.
"Six months or a year from now, if we have no more devastating tremors such as the last two, you won't be able to find a trace of the quake damages," declared Associate Justice Sam V. Stewart, former governor, now chairman of the city's emergency reconstruction committee.
All activities seemed to gain momentum yesterday and the morale of the city improved proportionately as another 24 hours passed in normal manner. True, the tremors continued and two or three fairly sharp jolts were felt during the period but this condition has come to be regarded as a matter of course and the inhabitants of the city paid them only passing notice. The city has become definitely hardened to the minor demonstrations of the earth's acrobatic ability.
Business throughout the city was excellent and automobile traffic on the streets was fully as heavy as under ordinary conditions before any of the tremors visited the city. Many business establishments reported a lively patronage and people generally were exhibiting good spirits and a greatly lessened tension.
More than 500 men were at work yesterday removing debris and repairing buildings it was estimated. Through the efforts of J. H. Rowe, 325 laborers were engaged in the work of erasing the scars of the earthquakes--hauling away the debris and razing dangerous buildings.
City Engineer Oscar Baarson and his staff are concentrating for the present on the removal of ruined and dangerous buildings and this work is being pressed with all possible speed. Already nearly 50 homes and buildings have been razed with the consent of the owners and many more will be removed in the days to come.
With the government providing the labor to tear the buildings down, scores of property owners who had held off because of the cost are now voluntarily asking that buildings damaged beyond hope of repair be taken down.
Today, two of the larger structures will be eliminated as hazards. The Crago building on Broadway, formerly the home of the Elks lodge, will be torn down entirely, and the two upper stories of Mayor C. J. Bausch's building on South Main street will be removed and the remainder of the building reconstructed. This latter structure is the Old Cosmopolitan hotel, a landmark of the city and once considered the finest west of the Twin Cities.
However, reconstruction went ahead at such a rapid pace that stocks of building materials on hand were becoming low and rush orders were being placed by local dealers with manufacturers and mills.
Either of two things were being done to the quake-shattered buildings and homes. Those damaged beyond repair were being wrecked and those which can be made habitable once more are undergoing a thorough program of reconstruction.
E. S. Transue of Denver, Red Cross disaster representative, said the latest figures available to him showed 170 homes badly damaged. Many of these, he said, must come down and the others may be rebuilt if the owners decide the expenditure would be justified.
The 700 or 800 unable to live in their own houses have found other quarters here or in nearby cities and not one is living in discomfort because of necessity.
The population of refugees at the relief shelter warehouse decreased each night and only a few remain in the steam-heated railroad coaches and bunk cars.
Returning peace of mind has sent hundreds back into their own houses, while others, made nervous by the earth jerks of the last few days and nights, have gone to the hurriedly established refugee quarters so they could get a night's sleep.
Twenty artisans were placed at work finishing the interior of a new annex to the Montana Children's home to be occupied soon by St. John's hospital. At St. Peter's hospital another crew worked feverishly to place the interior in shape for another 20 beds.
City Engineer Baarson, with the aid of a group of engineers, will continue with the task of re-inspection but said it would take considerable time to properly examine 1,000 or more buildings for which certificates of occupancy will be issued if found structurally unimpaired.
The blood feels like it was instantaneously turned to ice water, but the doctors say there's nothing to it.
"It's all mental," they say, and there is no physical or organic change in the human makeup.
Apprehension alone is the root of the alarm that comes with each earth tremor, they explained. Elderly people not in the best of health suffer the most in this respect, they said.
No one escapes entirely, however.
Restless, irregular sleep contributed to everybody's general "state of nerves."
The strain will leave no permanent affect and the gradually worn down systems will be right back in condition, say the doctors, when the continual pounding ceases and people can convince themselves the earth has settled down once more.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
From Survey
Out Of 1,000 Families Seen, 800 Need No Help
With its survey of the quake-damaged areas of the city virtually completed, members of the special committee appointed to do this work reported to Chairman Hugh R. Adair last evening that of 1,000 families contacted, approximately 800 had declined financial aid in rebuilding or repairing their homes.
Of the total number of homes visited in the quake-torn districts of the city, but 75 would require some private or governmental assistance in repairing or rebuilding their homes, Chairman Adair said.
Workers found a total of 85 families in immediate need, because of the earthquakes, of such requirements as shelter, food, fuel, clothing and medical attention.
All but one of the 17 districts reported the survey complete yesterday. The survey embraced only homes and dwellings and did not include the business districts, apartments or hotels, Chairman Adair explained. He said that the entire survey would be completed by noon today.
In many districts there were a number of vacant homes and the survey workers were unable to get in touch with the owners or tenants. Chairman Adair asked that any person missed in the survey make his report to the chamber of commerce or the Red Cross as soon as possible. He estimated that the survey is approximately 80 per cent accurate.
Once again the survey workers brought back an optimistic picture. Fred O. Robinson, member of the special committee, said last night that the great majority of those whose property was damaged were already making plans to rebuild and repair at their own expense. "They are grinning and taking it on the chin," Mr. Robinson said.
In all cases where immediate relief was needed, the reports were given to the Red Cross and will be quickly acted upon. With 1,000 families contacted and 800 of that number listed as not needing any assistance of any sort, survey workers praised the character of the people visited highly.
Those making the survey are by districts: No. 1, W. L. Fahrner; No. 2, Miss Theo Smith and Miss Mable Smith; No. 3, Tate W. Peek and Katherine Allan; No. 4, F. P. Martinson and C. H. Marple; No. 5, J. C. Coleman and Katherine Blacker; No. 6, John W. Grosse, Dan Bock, A. Salvail and H. E. Benson; No. 7, Alice Israel, Alice Schreiner and F. V. Milner; No. 8, Tena Calander and Margaret Reess; No. 9, Jesse Morgan and Christine Smith; No. 10, Blanche Nowell and Eva LaReau; No. 11, Bay Butler and Clarise Mark; No. 12, Margaret Knudsen and Selma Israel; No. 13, Fred O. Robinson; No. 14, Edith Bray and Pearl Lee; No. 15, C. R. Anderson and Paul Davee; No. 16, Ethel Mellor, Mrs. Grace Muth and Jessie Bayha; No. 17, (East Helena), Andrew Mackanich and teachers of the East Helena school.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
Sen. Murray At Work In Washington
Washington, Nov. 5--(AP)--Senator James E. Murray, Montana democratic, came here today for conferences with federal officials in regard to plans for rehabilitation of the quake-ridden city of Helena.
The senator said despite the damage "the people of Helena are not deterred. It has been a serious shock and continued tremors naturally prolonged the mental and nervous strain."
"The people of Helena, however, he said, "are meeting the situation with courage. As a consequence of the rebuilding and reconstruction work that will go on the city will be teeming with prosperity in the near future."
He added the Red Cross has responded effectively and is giving aid to all those who have been made homeless and destitute as a result of the quakes. This, together with the $100,000 set aside by the president, Murray believes, will insure that no one will suffer from the hunger or cold.
He emphasized the seriousness of damage done to public institutions and quasi-public institutions such as the Deaconess School for Children, parochial schools, Intermountain and Carroll colleges and other institutions supported by donation and endowment.
"The existing relief agencies, of course, can render no help in such cases and it would require an act of the state legislature or of congress to authorize the use of public funds in such instances," said Murray.
He said he was prepared to aid in carrying out any rehabilitation plans which may be submitted by the people of Helena to the federal government.
The senator said he also planned conferences with officials of the works program in regard to various Montana projects, particularly Buffalo Rapids and the Chain of Lakes.
He said the Buffalo Rapids project is now in the hands of engineers who are attempting to work out a plan by which the beneficiaries will be able to repay funds advanced without assuming too heavy a load.
Murray has not decided how long he will remain in the capital but plans a vacation before congress convenes in January.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
TO REBUILD OLD CITY HALL
Helena's need for a modern and centrally located fire station was forcefully stressed in a letter received yesterday by L. B. Tipling, local representative of the Board of Fire Underwriters of the Pacific, from Charles W. Cook, district secretary of the board.
When informed of Mayor Bausch's proposal to rebuild and remodel the badly damaged city hall for a fire station, Mr. Cook wrote Mr. Tipling, explaining what he thought of the plan, as secretary of the board for this district.
The letter says in part:
"I am greatly surprised to learn that there is any thought of rehabilitating the old fire station, due to the poor character of its construction, age and location, as well as the fact that it is unsuitable for Helena's present needs."
Principal among the factors mentioned was the fire station, even then considered unsuitable by the board. The letter further states:
"The location of the old city hall is unsuitable; egress being poor, coupled with the necessity of transversing narrow, crooked streets, and the problem of heavy traffic in responding to alarms at the north end of the business district."
Amos Shellady, commissioner of public safety for the city, has proposed the erection of a new city hall in the vicinity of the Great Northern depot, west of the Knapp service station. The fire, with other city offices, would be housed in the proposed structure.
"By all means the old station should be condemned and abandoned and serious consideration given to the erection of a new modern fire and earthquake resistant structure, located near the Great Northern depot. A station in this vicinity would not only be more centrally located, but would also expedite the response to alarms in all sections of the city and would obviate to a large degree the heavy traffic which is encountered from the old station."
The Board of Fire Underwriters, set up by the fire insurance companies, fixes the insurance rates for dwellings and business establishments in the cities under its supervision.
The rate of fire insurance is affected by many different factors, each of which is brought into consideration in the making of rates, or the changing of rates.
In the order of their importance, as listed by the board, they are as follows: Fire department, including personnel, equipment and station; water supply, which includes also the distribution system; fire alarm system, including fire alarm boxes over the city and the headquarters of the system, the fire station and the conflagration hazard.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
Amended Ordinance To Be Presented Today At Session
After a brief session yesterday afternoon the city council adjourned to take under consideration a proposed amendment to the city ordinance providing for the condemnation of damaged buildings and this afternoon it will be formally presented to the city fathers.
Reluctant to proceed by itself with condemnation proceedings and the wrecking of hazardous properties, the council yesterday asked State Auditor John J. Holmes and his assistant, Jean D. Kelley, to work out a method whereby such condemnations could take place.
Under the proposed amendment to be considered today the matter of condemnation would be made easier and would embrace masonry structures as well as frame and log buildings.
"Liability to fire and consequent damage to adjoining property are the only considerations governing the state fire marshal's activities," Mr. Kelley asserted. "And in any event, the property owner has his day in court."
"Where the property owner is obstinate in regard to removal of hazards, the city can apply to the state fire marshal's office for quicker action provided the hazard involves one of fire and danger to adjoining property," Mr. Kelley said.
Under the plan set in motion Monday, the government, through FERA labor, will defray the cost of removing dangerous structures. Property owners are urged to cooperate with city and state authorities in such matters.
The city council October 21 passed an ordinance declaring an emergency to exist and giving the city engineer, as ex officio building inspector, full power to order the condemnation and demolition of structures or parts of structures deemed dangerous to life and property.
The state auditor yesterday announced that State Fire Marshal Arthur Parsons and the facilities of the state insurance commissioner's office would be at the service of the Helena reconstruction commission, headed by Justice S. V. Stewart of the state supreme court.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
LET GOVERNMENT PAY, MOTTO
By unanimous vote the Helena city council yesterday finally passed and approved an amendment to the building code which provides for earthquake resistant construction of masonry in all repairs or erection of new buildings. No one appeared before the council in opposition to the amendment.
After the council had acted, sponsors of the measure commended the city administration for its interest in safer construction. They assured the council that their only interest in the building ordinance was to create safe construction of earthquake resistive nature. They promised cooperation with the council and the city engineer in assisting in the interpretation of its provisions and helping educate citizens of the city in good construction.
"From time to time, newer and more structurally sound methods may be evolved," it was stated. "I will be glad at that time to help the council enacting amendments to the present regulations."
"There is no question of it," Commissioner Shellady said, "the city of Helena has been slack. This authority should have been created long ago by the mayor. It is never too late to start. I therefore move that the mayor appoint a housing commission."
There was no second to the motion made by Commissioner Shellady. Although Helena has suffered a great catastrophe, the motion of Commissioner Shellady fared no better than it has during the past two or three months.
Commissioner Shellady again made his motion but Mayor Bausch curtly ended the discussion by turning to his junior commissioner, Noble P. Evans, and saying, "Have you anything this morning, Noble?"
"No," Commissioner Evans replied.
With pay claims written up for those who guarded Helena's property during the crisis of the earthquake, Mayor Bausch flatly refused to pay them until they had been presented to the government and refused. Commissioner Shellady had asked that a supplemental emergency ordinance be passed so that a fund could be created in the police department against which the warrants could be issued.
"The government will pay them. I think the government will be just in this matter," Mayor Bausch said. "If my building was knocked down I would leave town unless I could get government aid to rebuild it."
"I know the government will be just so let us pass this emergency ordinance. Let us go as far as we can in our own behalf," Commissioner Shellady replied.
Noticeably disgruntled over the entire earthquake situation and the fact that capable men had stepped in to relieve the pressing problems by virtually taking the entire work set-up from the hands of Helena's officials, Mayor Bausch launched into a terrific tirade against Commissioner Shellady, Helena newspapers, and the slow "red-taped" government. Shouting at the top of his voice, Mayor Bausch said, "People know what we are faced with. The people know that the mayor is doing a good job. We (pointing to Commissioner Evans) are saving the taxpayers a lot of money, and we plan to use it in the next campaign."
to the public or to the papers. I want things done in an efficient, business-like way. That is all. We have lost the confidence of the people. We have not done our part," Commissioner Shellady said in reply.
"Who told you that?" the mayor asked.
"No one had to tell me that."
"If no one told you, you don't know it," Mayor Bausch retorted."
Yielding a bit, the mayor said that there was s special fund in the budget providing for the expenditure of $1,000 for repair of the city hall. "This is an emergency and I guess we can use that to pay some of these warrants," Mayor Bausch said.
"One thousand dollars," Commissioner Shellady said, "That is only a drop in the bucket. We may have the militia to pay for."
"I am taking it for granted that the federal government will handle that," the mayor said.
"This is no time to take things for granted," the commissioner of safety said.
"The people are not opposed to it," Commissioner Shellady countered. "A higher power put that debt against them. We must help in this crisis and keep our citizens here."
"We will work out our problems," Mayor Bausch said. "The banks will help the people, the government will help. The people know their mayor is on the job. And you are talking like a chicken."
Commissioner Evans, who remained silent during the exchange, entered into the discussion when the mayor charged that Helena papers were misrepresenting the work being done. After the mayor had pointed to him and said, "This boy is doing good work," Commissioner Evans said , "I am not a manager, I am a worker. "There are too many managers on the job now."
Feeling that it was proper time to introduce his personal difficulties, the earthquake problem was put aside as the mayor resurrected the typhoid fever epidemic of six years ago and commenced a tirade on how, if others had not intervened he would have been able to settle with all the typhoid fever victims on the basis of 10 cents to the dollar and would have kept the attorney fees down and "R. Lee Word from riding in a $5,000 car."
People drifted in and out of the council chamber as the mayor's voice rose.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
Twenty-six tremors for the 24-hour period ending at midnight were recorded at the Helena weather bureau yesterday, bringing the total since October 12 to 863.
Two of those reported at the weather bureau for the 24-hour period were described as strong, and two others as moderate. The others were weak or barely noticeable. Strong ones occurred at 1:58 and 4:44 yesterday morning, and moderate ones were at 4:45 yesterday morning and 1:53 in the afternoon.
Up to midnight, the last tremor, described by the weather bureau as "very weak," was at 11:40 o'clock.
Epicenter of the latest tremors has not been located, nor their intensity determined, Dean S. Carder, San Francisco, of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic survey, said yesterday.
The latest aftershocks have widened the cracks in several buildings, but inside of houses have done no more than to rattle dishes and chinaware.
Strong quakes in Helena yesterday were both felt at Great Falls, and reports were received that they had also been felt at Butte and Livingston.
The city council at Great Falls was somewhat concerned with the intensity of the tremors there, and ordered an inspection of school houses. Strong earth movements yesterday were reported to have damaged some plaster in the Falls, and to have cracked an occasional foundation.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
Parents are urged to keep their children from playing in buildings damaged and made unsafe by the quake, by Tom McCabe, county relief director, following numerous reports of workmen yesterday that small children were endangering their lives in such a manner.
Many of the buildings damaged by the recent tremors have loose brick and rock and to play in them is extremely dangerous, Mr. McCabe said. He also pointed out that some of the vacated homes contain personal property that should not be meddled with by youngsters.
He asks all parents to speak to their children and instruct them to stay away from such structures.
Warning to parents to keep their children from coasting in Helena streets was issued yesterday by Commissioner Amos M. Shellady. No coasting streets have been designated this year and no warning signs have yet been posted.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
Usual After Effects Not Present Here
"Contrary to the general rule, conditions in Helena are favorable considering the disaster through which the city has just passed," was the statement issued last night by Dr. W. P. Shepherd, secretary of the western branch of the American Public Health association, who came here from San Francisco to investigate health conditions in the city.
"None of the after-effects usually present after a disaster of any kind is visible in Helena," he said, "and I find that the local health authorities, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have the situation will in hand.
"Cold weather has undoubtedly added to the discomfort of those people who were rendered homeless by the temblors, but, at the same time, the cold weather has helped keep down a terror worse than earthquakes--disease.
"There is a terror which accompanies earthquakes that is peculiar to them alone, but if people will stop to realize that fewer people have been killed by earthquakes than by any of the other disasters which happen, their morale will be greatly strengthened.
In 1930 Dr. Shepherd checked every authentic earthquake report in the United States, and found that the deaths caused by those shocks were far outnumbered by the number of persons who met their deaths by leaping from the Brooklyn bridge in the same period.
"I have not the slightest doubt," Dr. Shepherd concluded, "but that Helena will rebuild into a greater city than the present Helena, and if past records hold true, the city should enjoy a brisk business during the next several years."
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
The FERA crew assigned to tear down hazardous brick and stone walls in the city was increased to about 325 men yesterday, and the work continued with fervor as working conditions, occasioned by a rise in temperature, were more favorable.
James H. Rowe, representative of Frank Walker, director of the National Emergency council, assigned Tom McCabe, FERA head in this county, to supervise the work, and it has been carried on at high speed since Rowe took charge of things late last week.
To expedite the general program of inspection and rehabilitation, the services of six engineers were made available by City Engineer Oscar Baarson. Two of the engineers, E. F. Moyle and Maxwell Mason, were loaned by the Montana highway commission at Mr. Rowe's request.
It was reported that the orphans from St. Joseph's are comfortably quartered at Boulder Hot springs, and that A. I. (Daddy) Reeves had already been out there keeping them amused by a musical entertainment that he put on.
"All we need now is our normal period of quiet and Helena will come back and come back fast," said Mr. Rowe. Rowe could see nothing but a bright future ahead for Montana's Capital city.
Scores of householders who left the city in terror after the second quakes October 31 had returned; more and more homes were lighted last night, sending a cheery glow out on what had been a dismal landscape, and everywhere there was less inclination to talk about the disaster and a greater willingness to look ahead.
As fast as human hands and bodies could move, the ugly scars left by the erratic action of the earth were being moved from sight. As the same time plans went ahead for the removal of a number of ancient South Main street buildings erected when the city was born, and many of which, all agreed, should have disappeared years ago. Most of them were rendered permanently uninhabitable by the tremors.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
Declared unsafe for occupancy after an inspection Monday revealed damage far more extensive than was believed at first, the Lewis and Clark county courthouse will be entirely vacated until repairs can be made or it can be rebuilt. Its condition was pronounced dangerous.
The damage to the massive courthouse and the equally massive county jail across the street will total many thousand dollars it appeared yesterday. The three engineers who inspected the courthouse were George McPherson, A. N. Olson and Fred G. Kallberg. They made their report to F. H. Marvin, ERA director in Montana.
In the meantime, the various departments of the county government were seeking new quarters where they might carry on their business without interruption, and it was believed several of the offices might be quartered in the federal building temporarily.
County Attorney Frances Elge has already been provided with office space there, through the courtesy of John B. Tansil, U. S. district attorney, who called Miss Elge by long distance and offered her a portion of his suite on the third floor as soon as he learned of the predicament.
It was believed that the district court could also be accommodated in the federal court room and chambers, and Postmaster Harry Hendricks was attempting to contact Federal Judge James H. Baldwin whose permission is necessary.
"We consider the building unsafe for occupancy and recommend that no persons, other than those engaged in the work of temporary repairs, be permitted around and in the building."
"All appendages projecting above the roof line should be torn down, as they are loose, and another quake or even a heavy wind may cause them to fall, causing damage to the courthouse itself as well as being a serious menace to safety.
"Due to the fact that the outside walls, at the point where the roof rests on them, are leaning outward, a considerable strain or upward thrust is endangering the whole structure. If the outside walls give away at this point the entire roof will fall on the top floor forcing the walls apart, and the whole building will collapse. Fractures in all the partitions running east and west throughout the whole building, and extending from the first floor up through to and including the attic, indicate that the entire west side of the building, and being about six feet in width, is leaning slightly away from the rest of the building."
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
To further restore confidence and assurance, James H. Rowe, who is in Helena representing Frank Walker, director of the national emergency council, announced last night that Helena's theaters would re open Sunday for the first time since October 18th.
"This will give people another opportunity to get these things out of their minds. For days now they've been sitting at home looking at each other and wondering what would happen next, but all this is changing," Rowe said.
Evidence of the tremendous movement toward reconstruction was the early depletion of building supplies and materials in local yards and depots. As a result emergency orders were placed at western mills and with fabricators of various necessities and within a day or so sufficient supplies will be on hand, he added.
Director Rowe announced that with the arrival of numerous building mechanics--plasters, carpenters, plumbers and other tradesmen, Helena now had all the manpower it needed for the present.
"The task now is to place them and provide the needed materials," he observed.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
Missoula, Nov. 5--A check-up Monday revealed that nine sons and daughters of Helena residents who had fled the city of nearly a thousand quakes had enrolled in Missoula public schools.
City Superintendent Ira B. Fee said that six students had enrolled in Missoula's grammar schools during the past three days, following disturbances at the Capital city, while a check at the high school showed that Friday morning three Helena students had registered there.
Over the week-end a number of Lewis and Clark county licenses were evident on Missoula's streets, jitter-ridden residents of the shaky city finding a haven in the quietude of Missoula.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
Roundup, Nov. 5--(AP)--The Musselshell county chapter of the American Red Cross has sent $100 to aid in the earthquake relief work in Helena. Because the annual roll call will be held this month, there will be no special drive at this time to raise money for the donation.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
This will relieve a lot of people who believed that the earthquakes will all subside as soon as a "geyser breaks out.
Kenny Burns and a group of four others from Wolf Creek were hunting in the vicinity of the North Fork of the Dearborn the other day when they observed steam coming out of the ground.
The place where the steam escaped was "big enough for a man to fall into," Burns said. The party threw cigarettes into the opening and watched the steam shoot them into the air.
So far as could be determined, the steaming cavern had never been seen before by people who live in the vicinity of the North Fork.
Burns told the story to Dean S. Carder, U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey representative, who is here in charge of seismographs for that department. Carder is anxious to get any further information in regard to the steamy vent, and perhaps will investigate it himself in the near future.
The opening, however, is miles away from what is considered the epicenter of the Helena earthquakes.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
Faith in Helena and the future was evidenced in an emphatic manner yesterday when it was announced that sisters of charity in charge of the House of The Good Shepherd, one of the largest institutions of its nature in the northwest, had declined invitation to move bag and baggage to Spokane and would remain here.
Though its huge suburban plant was badly damaged and the laundry, its chief source of revenue, put out of operation, the sisters determined to remain here although the offer by the Washington City included free transportation and modern quarters for the personnel and 76 wards.
An examination, J. H. Rowe announced, showed that three stories of the building could be reconditioned and used and that the laundry plant could be repaired. Housed in the T. C. Power home with inadequate equipment, Mr. Rowe sent to Butte and borrowed chairs and tables and other necessities.
[Helena Independent; November 6, 1935]
HOMES WILL BE BUILT BY HELENA MEN
Swift Action
Businessmen Organize New Concern To Build Homes
Helena's acute housing problem, occasioned by the utter destruction of more than 100 homes, was solved speedily and effectively yesterday when a group of public-spirited business men formed a private housing corporation to act in place of the public housing authority which Mayor C. J. Bausch refused to create.
This private concern will accomplish with subscribed funds what the public commission would have done under a loan and grant public works project had the mayor seen fit to create the housing board authorized by law. It is estimated conservatively that a shortage of at least 200 homes exists in the city today.
More than 50 of the city's leading business men and citizens met at the Placer hotel, appointed a temporary board of directors, organized a committee to secure building lots, over-subscribed a call for $8,000 working capital, and sent Federal Housing Administrator Barclay Craighead merrily on his way to Washington, D. C., to arrange for having loans insured by the federal government.
Craighead subscribed the first $200 of the $8,000 and left late last night over the eastbound Northwest Airlines plane for Washington, D.C., to tell Uncle Sam that its citizens are going to build up the greatest Helena in the city's 71 years of existence.
Briefly, this is the plan:
A working capital of $8,000 will be raised--which has been done; lots approved by the Federal Housing administration will be secured from their owners, who will be paid for them with stock of the Helena Development company--that will start after a meeting at 9 o'clock this morning when workers will be assigned sections of the city to determine the ownership of lots.
Four to six-room dwellings, all modern and approved by the FHA, will be constructed. They will be rented at a reasonable figure.
The Helena Development company will issue bonds in the sum of about $200,000 to build the houses, such bonds to be guaranteed by the federal government. They may be sold to some federal agency, or perhaps to individuals if they want them.
The bonds will run over a 20-year period.
Rentals from the homes will be used to pay the interest, principal and cost of amortization of the bonds.
This is the temporary board of directors of the Helena Development association:
A. T. Hibbard, Chairman.
S. V. Stewart.
Walter Larson.
Alex Cunningham.
Earl Murphy.
J. D. MacKenzie.
Ed. O'Connell.
Earl Brown.
A committee headed by Matt Staff will start out this morning to secure the desirable building lots, although many have already been offered by those attending the meeting yesterday. Staff will be assisted by Earl Murphy, two men from the state FHA office, a man from the Montana Life Insurance company and others to be supplied through Secretary O. C. Lamport of the Helena Chamber of Commerce.
He told of the need of the low cost housing projects under the FHA, but said that for the loans to be insured by the FHA, the dwellings must be built on the most desirable lots in the city.
Mr. Hibbard said that Helena was not only in need of housing facilities, but also that the psychological effect of the business men embarking on a venture such as this at the present time would improve the morale of everyone living here.
Mr. Craighead said that he has been in communication with the housing authorities in Washington for the last several days, and that they believed if he was there Friday morning a plan could be worked out so he could leave for Helena by Monday with a commitment to insure the building bonds.
It was believed advisable to let the contract for all of the houses to one contractor. By doing this it was brought out, there would be a saving on the cost of the structures that could not be made if contracts were let by the unit.
There was considerable discussion in regard to securing lots on which to build the dwellings, and many of those present said they had property that they would be willing to exchange for stock in the company. Most of the lots mentioned were desirable, and would meet with the approval of the FHA.
It was on motion of J. D. MacKenzie that the group decided to form the company. The motion carried without a dissenting vote.
Matt Staff, who is managing the Park Avenue apartments and the Blackstone apartments in Helena said that such a project would not in any way injure the owners of present housing facilities.
"At these two apartment houses we have from 15 to 20 on the waiting list all the time," said Mr. Staff. "And the apartments are not occupied by people who are here just temporarily--most of them are what we consider permanent residents who have permanent jobs and positions in Helena."
Mr. Staff volunteered his services to the company, so was made chairman of the committee that will check up on the lots to be used.
If Mr. Craighead is successful in getting the commitment from the FHA in Washington, to insure the loans obtained to build the houses, the big project should be under way by the middle of next week.
The proposal to create a public housing authority had been before city council formally at least four times. It was first presented last spring after the legislature had passed an act making it possible for cities of Montana to come under this phase of the public works program.
At that time a group of business men sponsored the movement and a public meeting was held at which a resolution was passed expressing the need for additional housing in Helena and calling upon the city council to take action directing the mayor to appoint the five-man commission which would constitute the authority.
The council adopted the resolution by a two to one vote but Mayor Bausch blocked the matter by refusing to appoint the commission. It was brought up at least three other times, the last being on Tuesday when Commissioner Amos M. Shellady again proposed that the mayor create an authority. His proposal was curtly turned down.
Under the plan, the housing authority would have become a municipal corporation. It would have prepared a project embracing the required number of reasonable cost new homes and would have presented its application to the PWA. It would have been empowered to issue its bonds for 55 per cent of the total cost and would have received a grant of 45 per cent from the government. The authority would have supervised the construction of the homes and their rental or sale on easy contracts.
The new Helena Development company will accomplish the same purpose although not under as favorable a financial arrangement.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
5,000 MEN ARE NOW AT WORK
A bit groggy from the effects of more than 800 earthquakes, jarring the foundations and knocking the parapets from the top of the Works Progress administration building in Helena, besides taking it on the chin from a below-zero blizzard gripping every section of the state, Montana's Work Progress administration nevertheless went over the top Wednesday morning in its effort to provide work on WPA projects for eligibles on Montana relief rolls, and exceeded by 204 its quota set by National Administrator Harry Hopkins at 5,000.
District one from Havre came in with 829 assignments; district two, with headquarters at Billings, registered 823; district three with headquarters at Great Falls, 724, and district four with headquarters at Butte had put 2,819 workers on the job.
With 5,204 workers from Montana relief rolls already assigned, the next goal to make will be 7,796 additional workers, or a total of 13,000, by November 20. Although Montana's relief rolls have carried as high as 24,000 eligible workers at the peak load of March, 1935, and although the exact number of workers available cannot be determined until assignments have been finally made, it is believed that with the exception of scattering workers in the rural districts who may be assigned to projects under the direction of the resettlement administration, the initial task of providing jobs under the Works Progress administration will have been accomplished.
In the Butte district 188 men started to work on the Thompson park recreational area, where a district embracing more than nine square miles is to be converted into a beautiful park and public playground, making use of native timber, mountain streams and many natural advantages. A big undertaking rip rapping Silver Bow creek gave jobs to 506. Campus improvements at the School of Mines started, as did a sewing project to employ 100 women.
In Fergus county the Valentine Blood-Creek dam, impounding a reserve supply of water for a great range country got underway.
At Billings crews started to work demolishing the old federal prison building, salvaging the stone for use later on an airport improvement project. County fair and athletic field projects also got underway.
At Great Falls enough additional men were put to work on park and civic improvements to entirely take up the employable case load.
At Anaconda a road improvement job was started that will cost more than $40,000 and a women's sewing project to cost $37,000.
In Flathead county at Kalispell and Whitefish, recreational center, bridge improvement, sewer and road projects started. At Polson the long hoped for Polson dock project started.
At Miles City fairgrounds, airport and county road projects were begun.
At various places in the state work began on farm-to-market road projects.
Works Progress employees who stuck to their posts despite the earthquakes and who worked days, nights and Sundays in the assignment and project departments are entitled to great credit," said Administrator Ray Hart Wednesday, "and I am greatly pleased that within a single week after approval of projects of the necessary type had been received, we were able to put to work on projects of permanent value more than one-third of the employable people on the relief rolls in Montana."
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
IS PUSHED RELENTLESSLY
With each successive day's earth joltings revealing new or additional damage not apparent before, all forces in the city are now concentrated on the task of removing dangerous buildings and eliminating hazardous conditions. City Engineer Oscar Baarson is directing the work, assisted by State Fire Marshal Arthur Parsons.
Operations yesterday were chiefly centered on the rows of old brick buildings on South Main street, most of them souvenirs of the late sixties--pioneer structures of the Last Chance gold boom camp. All were hard hit by the repeated quakes and many that were not shaken down had bulging walls that were a constant menace.
For safety's sake and to facilitate the work of demolition, the district was roped off from Broadway to State street and both cars and pedestrians were barred unless they lived there or had urgent business in the area. The barriers were removed at nightfall after work had stopped.
Such structures as the Crago building, formerly the Elks home; the old Davis building at Wall and Main; the C. J. Bausch building, formerly the old Cosmopolitan hotel, and many others were not counted in the pervious estimates as visible damage had not appeared until the last few days.
How much the actual loss will be in many of these buildings is questionable, as it is agreed that they should have come down years ago, but it all adds to the total.
City Engineer Baarson announced last night his offices will be moved today to the Y.M.C.A. building where he will be located in the northwest corner of the second floor. He is forced to vacate his present office in the Placer hotel because it has been leased to the Miller Insurance agency of Butte which is opening a branch in Helena. That concern desires to start remodeling the office today.
Warmer weather also greatly facilitated out-door work, particularly construction, and permitted the evacuation from Helena of 26 tots ranging in age from 3 weeks to 3 years. They were from St. Joseph's orphanage in the Helena valley and had been cared for in the Parish Home of Father James G. Tougas of St. Helena's cathedral until room was provided at the Boulder Hot Springs hotel.
Jamie, 4 weeks, and Patricia Ann, 3 months, the youngest of the infant refugees, demanded the most attention from white frocked nuns who gave them every care. The two tots after the collapse of their Helena valley home were housed in a manger at the orphanage stable but suffered no ill effects from sub zero weather.
Of vital interest to Helena was the announcement of Emergency Director James H. Rowe, assistant to Frank Walker of the new deal, that Helena seemingly was assured of the re-building by the government of its badly damaged $500,000 high school.
"I feel very encouraged in the belief that Helena at least will have that heavy burden taken off its well loaded shoulders," said Rowe, who through the day directed what he pleased to term "mopping up activities."
All through the quake scarred area Rowe's 300 to 400 federal paid workmen moved ahead removing the debris and otherwise brightening up the general picture.
Because of the recurrent tremors, City Engineer Oscar Baarson said safety inspections except those immediately needed, had been terminated for the time being.
During the late afternoon civic authorities were kept busy denying and at the same time denouncing false radio reports telling of recent severe quakes; heavy additional losses and the opening of chasms from which steam and smoke emitted.
Just where they originated no one seemed to know.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
The theaters in Helena will not open Sunday, it was announced yesterday by Commissioner of Public Safety A. M. Shellady and City Engineer Oscar Baarson.
"The theaters will not be permitted to reopen until new certificates of occupancy are issued," asserted Mr. Baarson, "and this will not be done immediately. As a matter of fact, the managers of the show houses do not desire to open at this time."
Mr. Shellady emphasized the fact that no public places would be permitted to house crowds until safety was absolutely assured.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
LOOK OVER SCHOOL SITUATION
A. H. Martin, executive assistant to Secretary Harold I. Ickes of the Department of the Interior of the United States, left Washington, D. C., by plane yesterday for Helena to confer with James H. Rowe, personal representative of Frank Walker, director of the National Emergency Council, in regard to securing a Public Works grant to repair Helena schools damaged by the big earthquakes.
Martin will arrive in Helena over the Northwest Airlines early this morning.
Mr. Rowe received a wire yesterday from H. B. Hackett, assistant administrator of the PWA, that Secretary Ickes was sending Martin to Helena.
At a meeting of the trustees of the Helena school district on Monday evening, Mr. Rowe advised the board that Hackett would take the matter up with Secretary Ickes yesterday when the latter returned to Washington from a business trip.
Martin's coming to Helena will be of the utmost importance, as he can now secure first-hand knowledge as to the damage done to the school buildings in Helena for submission to PWA officials in Washington.
Rowe said that he knows Martin, as his offices are in the same division as Mr. Walker's in Washington.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
While Government Is Providing Free Labor
Helena property owners, whose buildings were damaged by the series of earthquakes here in the last few weeks, are urged by Secretary O. C. Lamport of the chamber of commerce to take advantage of governmental aid being offered at this time.
Lamport said his office is equipped to help property owners clear the way to have the rough work done.
All that is necessary to have free labor tear down badly damaged buildings, broken chimneys or sagging walls, or to have debris hauled away and good brick sorted from the bad, is for the property owner to sign a release before a notary public, it was pointed out.
About 400 men are now employed in the city in this relief work. Most dangerous of the structures are being razed first and a number of such buildings have been torn down already.
"Any property owner who has a pile of debris in his yard and wants it hauled away, who has a building that has to be torn down, or has a chimney that needs to be razed before a new one can be put in its place, can have the work done for nothing if he will take advantage of this system," Secretary Lamport said.
"We are keeping lists of these necessary work projects here and the orders are being filled as quickly as possible," he said.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
The number of earth tremors in Helena became less frequent and of less intensity, as only three, all described as weak, were recorded at the Helena weather bureau over a period of 15 hours and 37 minutes, terminating at midnight last night.
There had been 17 felt for the 24-hour period ending at midnight, most of which occurred before 8:23 yesterday morning, when a strong one was tabulated. The strong one Wednesday morning was described as two jolts followed by a rumble.
After 8:23 a.m. yesterday, weak tremors were reported at 4:54 yesterday afternoon, and at 10:48 and 11:35 last night.
At midnight last night the tremor total stood at 880 since October 12, the twenty-sixth consecutive day of seismic motion in the city.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
Sam A. Roberts, chairman of the Lewis and Clark chapter of the American Red Cross, received word yesterday from the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce that that body's campaign for funds for relief of the distressed in Helena was going over in a big way.
The chamber stated that it had already exceeded its original goal of $1,500 and expected now to raise $2,000. The Kalispell Interlake, daily paper, aided with a full page ad and the Kalispell radio station donated broadcasts to promote the drive.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
MANY NEED NO OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
Helena tightened up its quake-notched belt yesterday and looked over its damaged residential buildings, determined to render speedy relief where needed and to guide those whose dwellings were battered by the earthquakes to proper governmental agencies for financial assistance, if needed.
The quake survey, commenced in the city by the local reconstruction committee, completed its preliminary work yesterday, painting a cursory picture far less deplorable than snap-shot judgment would have it, according to Hugh R. Adair, chairman of the survey committee.
Handicapped by the fact that a number of damaged homes had been vacated and their owners not accessible to the survey workers, reports of the survey disclosed that 481 homes in Helena had been damaged to a considerable extent. The degree of damages ranged from complete ruin to partial destruction, such as fallen chimneys and walls, Chairman Adair said.
Out of the group of damaged homes, the survey disclosed that 124 will need some sort of financial aid for their building programs, either through private loaning agencies or through such governmental branches as are available, the chairman said.
The survey showed that there are 17 homes so completely damaged as to constitute hazards to the safety of life and other property and their locations were turned over to the city engineer for close investigation and subsequent action.
Work of tabulating the reports now is under way and when this is completed it will be of great assistance to the city in ascertaining actual rehabilitation needs as effecting the residential districts. Those working on the tabulation include the Misses Elizabeth Allan, Emily Stewart, Margaret Rees, Marion Young and Ora Conway.
The survey was conducted by 35 volunteer grade and high school teachers in Helena and East Helena. The local reconstruction committee highly commended the teachers for their work and the spirit in which they entered into the emergency. Appreciation was also extended to the office of Jay Diamond, chief statistician of the bureau of crop and livestock estimates for its work in getting out the necessary blanks and doing the mimeographing work.
While other teachers have been covering the damaged residential section of the city, Miss Conway of the Hawthorne faculty has been stationed at the Chamber of Commerce, helping coordinate the survey. She has been handling the reports and caring for the information as it is turned in by the others.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
Enlarged and erroneous radio reports, purportedly emanating from the Billings station, caused grave concern at the capitol yesterday.
The radio broadcast of yesterday noon had severe earthquakes in Helena causing great damage to the west end of the statehouse.
D. A. McKinnon, chief engineer of the highway department, who was in Miles City with Governor Frank H. Cooney, telephoned his offices here to determine the extent of the damages which the radio broadcast stated had occurred.
Parents of many of the capitol stenographers and secretaries made long distance calls to ascertain their safety. Miss Mary Walker, employee of the state fish and game commission, received a call from her mother in Superior. She said the radio had broadcast that the west side of the statehouse had collapsed.
Walter Small, custodian of the building heard the broadcast at noon. He said the Billings station said the capitol had been considerably damaged and that the west wall was greatly weakened. He labeled the broadcast an untruth and said no damage whatsoever had occurred during the day there.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
Cars And Pedestrians Are Banned From Razing Zone
Demolition work was begun in earnest yesterday along South Main street, and the thoroughfare was roped off from Broadway to State street, while workmen were engaged in tearing down several buildings which were in a dangerous condition.
Highway patrolmen and members of the Helena police department were stationed at both ends of the closed section in order to keep car and pedestrian traffic out of the zone.
A crew of workers removed the coping from the top of the front wall of the old Cosmopolitan hotel building preparatory to razing the upper two stories of the badly damaged structure.
Other workmen were engaged in the task of demolishing the old Davis store building, both side walls of which were leaning dangerously to the south.
The top of the front wall of the building in which the Weggenman Market is located inclined sharply toward State street, and the sidewalk in front of the building was roped off as it was feared that the wall might fall at any moment.
A section of Main street at the corner of Main and Edwards streets was closed to traffic while workers removed the decorative masonry on the northeast corner of the old National Bank building.
Many other structures along South Main street were further weakened by the sharp temblor yesterday morning, and inspections were made of several other building fronts which, authorities said, would have to be demolished.
[Helena Independent; November 7, 1935]
LIFE AND PROPERTY IN CITY
Drastic action was taken for the first time yesterday by City Engineer Oscar Baarson to enforce safety measures for the protection of human life, when he personally evacuated the tenants of the Montana block at Fuller and Placer and locked the doors, closing it to occupancy.
This action was taken because the agents for the building, owned by Denver, Colo., interests, had refused or failed to remedy conditions extremely dangerous to occupants and pedestrians, Mr. Baarson said. He was approved and assisted in his action by State Fire Marshal Arthur Parsons.
The agents for the building had been directed to eliminate certain hazardous conditions after the major shock of October 18. This was not done and the heavy tremor of October 31 greatly aggravated this condition, making it positively dangerous for pedestrians to walk on the sidewalk along the two story structure.
The big stack that rises above the building is also badly cracked and must be taken down. If another severe shock should come, authorities said, it would crash through the roof. The parapet or fire walls are those that continue above the roof line. They appear to be part of the main wall but in reality are not and are only thin unsupported shells designed to retard the spread of a fire should one break out.
This is the only case to date in which he has not received full cooperation of property owners in removing dangerous conditions, the city engineer said. Most persons are more than anxious to comply with regulations, particularly since the government is providing the labor for all demolition and "mop-up" purposes.
Having secured a waiver from the owners, workmen yesterday started tearing down the old Davis building at Wall and Main streets. This had accommodated the used parts department of the T-O-K garage.
City Engineer Baarson's assistants also are endeavoring to locate the owner of the old Savoy hotel building on the opposite corner of Wall and Main to secure a waiver. This building is so badly damaged that it must come down, the city engineer said. John Carlluchi, the owner, is in the mountains some place employed as a sheepherder. If he is not found soon, condemnation probably will be resorted to.
City Engineer Baarson announced yesterday that the damage on the west side of the city now appears to be somewhat greater than before estimated. Many signs of damage not visible immediately after the October 31 shock have now appeared on the surface, due, it is believed, to the pounding effect of the numerous light tremors that have followed that major one. The same is also true in the more heavily damaged portions of the city.
Even with nightfall the building and wrecking activity showed no sign of let up, as workmen took advantage of warm, clear weather and hammered away under arc lights in the giant rehabilitation program.
W. E. Maughan, meteorologist, said the ever lengthening pauses between tremors might be taken as a good omen for complete recovery from the month-long siege of quakes.
Despite the mammoth building and wrecking operations, the city had sufficient laborers on hand to care for its present needs.
Further indication of the city's spirit of going forward was found in the announcement of a celebration November 22 to mark Helena's permanent location on the northern transcontinental air route.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
SURVEY OF ADAIR'S COMMITTEE SHOWS
Although actual damages to Helena by virtue of the earthquakes were not determined, the survey conducted this week and terminated yesterday noon by a sub-committee of the local reconstruction body indicated that the residential districts, particularly the east side and the Sixth ward, were hard hit, it was announced by Hugh R. Adair, chairman in charge.
The survey did not attempt to cover the business areas, the west side, or any other damage than to dwellings, Chairman Adair said. The survey workers were handicapped by a large number of vacated houses and estimated that at the first of the week about 20 per cent of every fifth house was empty. Most of these were badly wrecked.
Owners of 125 Helena dwelling houses were so damaged as to need outside assistance of some nature, although only 81 would require loans from the RFC, the Federal Housing administration or a private agency. These 81 homes, valued at $254,450 were damaged at the owners' estimate of $105,060, Chairman Adair said. Many of the others needed aid on a smaller scale and cases were turned over to the Red Cross amounting to $3,250.
Seventeen dwellings were so wrecked as to be considered hazardous structures by the survey workers and their locations were made known to the city engineer and to the officials of the FERA wrecking crew.
"We want this survey to be complete for the city," Mr. Adair said, "and those property owners who were not contacted have been requested to call at the chamber of commerce offices and fill out a blank. One or two sections of the city, where no houses were demolished and damage was in most instances only minor, were not covered by the workers as they had plenty to do in some of the other districts which were much harder hit."
The survey has been conducted, he said, for the purpose of getting at the actual conditions existing after the damaging earthquakes. The amount of damage to private dwellings has been ascertained for statistical purposes. Results of the survey are being placed before representatives of the various relief agencies.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
Return to Newspaper Summary for Articles 200-249.
Return to Helena Earthquake Summary.
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