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With the arrival here yesterday morning of PWA officials from Washington, D. C., Helena seemingly was within gunshot of government assistance for the rebuilding of its badly twisted $500,000 high school, and the wrecked Bryant school building.
A. H. Martin, Jr., executive secretary to Secretary Ickes, and E. G. Bauer, special PWA engineer in charge of school construction, were on the ground here yesterday.
They went over the building and then conferred with James H. Rowe, emergency director for Frank Walker. Though Martin refrained from making a direct statement on the possibility of Helena receiving federal assistance, he significantly added:
"If there wasn't a good possibility of federal aid I wouldn't be here."
"We are here for the purpose of ascertaining what can be done to restore the Helena high school building and under what conditions that can be accomplished," he said. "Furthermore, if the building is restored, we want to determine what changes in design may be necessary to contribute to safety in a known earthquake zone."
Martin will be in Helena today, checking up on PWA projects in the state. In this connection he said:
"I shall do all I can to expedite the starting of work on Montana's water conservation projects."
After leaving here, Mr. Martin will visit PWA headquarters in Washington, Oregon and Idaho before returning to the national capital.
Bauer plans to remain in Helena for several days, studying the present status of the high school building and the best methods of rehabilitation.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
At midnight last night 17 hours and 14 minutes had passed without an earth tremor being recorded at the Helena weather bureau. The last one, at 6:46 yesterday, described at weak, was the 885th. Four quivers were reported previous to the last one at 6:46 to make Thursday's total of five for the 24-hour period ending at midnight last night.
In the meantime, fair weather continued in Helena although there was a prediction of a lower reading today. At midnight last night the mercury stood at 47. It was 43 above just an hour before, and was 53 at 6 o'clock last night.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
MUTUAL COMPANIES REFUSE ADDING WAIVER CLAUSE
During the earthquake period in Helena, insurance on approximately $8,000,000 worth of state property changed hands at additional expense to Montana of at least $4,767 in premiums and special waivers, it was announced yesterday by the board of examiners.
When it was found that all fire insurance on state building carried a "fallen wall" clause, wherein all fire insurance became void if a wall or portion of a wall collapsed on an insured building, the board of examiners asked the companies holding the insurance to place riders on their policies waiving that particular clause.
With tremors shaking Helena and many of the properties of the state, the board decided to cancel such policies on a pro rata or short-term basis, and to take out new policies with the Pearl Assurance company, represented, as were the mutuals, by the Miller Agency of Butte. The Pearl company agreed to waive the fallen wall clause upon payment of an additional premium.
The entire deal was consummated without inquiry by the board of examiners with the state insurance department, of which State Auditor John J. Holmes is the head. Yesterday he received claims for warrants aggregating $7,089.91 to be paid the Miller Insurance agency of Butte.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
Earthquakes refugees at the Green Meadow camp will be provided with wholesome food, proper clothing and warm shelter until such time they can return to their own homes, it was announced yesterday by Capt. William Murtaugh.
The people at the camp are eager to get back to their own dwellings, he said, but in some cases it will be a long time before secure houses can be found for the refugees.
"We cannot permit any of the people at the camp who may be suffering from nervous disorders to return to a house that is in any respect hazardous," the Capt. said, "and those who are now at the camp have undergone a great mental strain lately."
Last night Major Thomas H. Mitchell, officer in charge of the Salvation Army corps in Billings, conducted a "cheer up" gospel meeting at the refugees base.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
Helena is daily receiving aid and offers of aid from other Montana cities, individuals, service clubs and other organizations. The contributions thus far have ranged from $1 in cash to a large hotel range, sent here, freight prepaid, by Frank Lang, a former Helena resident now living in Seattle.
An offer of additional assistance to the city was received yesterday by Mayor Bausch in a wire from United States Senator James E. Murray of Butte, now in Washington, D. C.
The wire read as follows:
"If there are any special matters where I can be of help will be glad to hear from you. Intend to see president when he returns and talk over situation. Will be glad to have you write me your views of what should be done by national government to help in the present situation."
The Mayor telegraphed the following answer:
"Received your telegram. Helena appreciates your efforts in our behalf. Will write immediately in response to your requests."
Mayor J. P. Sweeney of Fort Benton also sent a telegram to Helena yesterday, offering substantial help through the Red Cross. Mayor Bausch replied to the wire with a note of thanks.
Many small contributions, ranging from $1 up, have been received by Mr. Bausch, who in turn presents them to the Salvation Army.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
Even George Washington felt the force of Helena's earthquakes.
The statue of the Father of His Country, on the courthouse grounds in front of the north entrance, has been moved several degrees west on its pedestal, it was discovered yesterday. The pedestal also was moved several inches out of line.
This situation had been over-looked until yesterday in the rush of repairing the building and moving out records.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
Butte, Nov. 7--Mrs. Thelma Borgen of Helena, missing since she fled to Butte from that city following the severe earthquake last week, yesterday was being sought here by her husband, J. Borgen of Yellowstone park.
The only information that could be obtained in Helena was that the woman had gone to the "Colorado hotel in Butte." There is no such hotel or rooming house, Chief of Police Walter I. Shay announced. Mrs. Borgen had been awaiting the return of her husband from the park, where he is employed, but became frightened and left before he arrived, friends said.
If she reads this, Mrs. Borgen is asked to call at the police station, where she will be put in touch with her husband.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
After our experience during the last month, The Independent believes the taxpayers of this city will be willing to furnish the necessary funds for the employment of an assistant to the city engineer, whose business for the next few years will be rigid building inspection as new houses and business blocks are erected; as school houses are repaired and other improvements made.
Helena has been far too easy in the matter of building inspection. What the city needs is a hard boiled inspector who knows his business, who will fight quake and fire perils.
For two years San Francisco has been waging a drive to eliminate hazards. As a result of the survey signs, parapet walls, marquees and roof tanks have been removed by the thousand. Last year 1,368 signs were condemned and hauled down as potential vehicles of injury to life and property in the event of an earthquake.
For the last five years Helena has permitted any business house to hang out any kind of a sign which the resources of the firm could buy or lease. The electric or gas sign business is much over-done in the city. There are huge signs on Main street which are pulling at the fronts of the buildings. A sign of large size and very heavy was put up on the front of the Cosmopolitan hotel building a few years ago. It was one of the causes of pulling out the front until it is necessary to wreck the two top floors of the building.
In the San Francisco investigation, 11 per cent of the electric signs were condemned as unsafe and a detriment to the buildings.
San Francisco has just appropriated $5,000 additional to continue this work.
[Helena Independent; November 8, 1935]
Thru FRA
Commitment Secured By Craighead In Washington
A tentative commitment from the Federal Housing administration that it will insure the bonds of the Helena Development company in the sum of $200,000, has been secured in Washington, D.C., by Barclay Craighead, Montana housing director, it was announced yesterday afternoon by A. T. Hibbard, chairman of the board of directors of the new company.
The Helena Development company was organized on Wednesday of this week for the purpose of erecting between 50 and 60 new, modern, earthquake-resistant dwellings in the city. The homes will be rented to people, and the rent proceeds will be used to retire the bonds, pay interest and cost of amortization, and maintain the places.
If the RFC does not want to take the bonds, Mr. Hibbard is quite certain that they can be disposed of otherwise, perhaps privately. They will be insured by the government, and will bear perhaps 4 per cent interest, and this should be an attractive investment for anybody.
Articles of incorporation for the company, approved by the Federal Housing administration, were sent to Mr. Hibbard by air mail yesterday, and should arrive here today for the consideration of the board of directors. They will be filed just as soon as they are in shape.
In other words, the FHA will approve the lots to be used, approve all plans, specifications, costs and estimates, and will hold a mortgage on the entire block of 50 or 60 dwellings.
The main thing that the Helena Development company is endeavoring to do is to get houses built, and get it done as soon as is humanly possible.
Organizers of the company do not expect any special concession from the FHA, and do not ask that there be any variance from the regulations as they are laid down. The only difference is that a company of Helena's most substantial and leading citizens want to build a lot of houses, instead of one person wanting to build a single house.
After today, Mr. Murphy believes that the company will have listed as many lots as it will need. The next task will be to select the desirable building sites from the list for submission to the FHA for its approval.
At least eight formal written applications from prospective renters were received yesterday by Mr. Murphy, and dozens of tentative applications.
Mr. Hibbard said that the proposed houses would unquestionably have garages, either built in connection with the houses or separately, depending entirely on the wishes of the FHA authorities. It is highly probable that they will be gas-heated, but they will not be equipped with refrigeration or cooking ranges.
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
Big Sum Available In Reconstruction
Washington, Nov. 8 (AP)--The Housing administration agreed late today to insure a mortgage up to $200,0000 for an earthquake-resistant, low-cost housing project in Helena, Mont.
The FHA said a tentative commitment would be issued to a private limited dividend housing corporation to be known as the Helena Development company.
The announcement followed a conference between Barclay Craighead, Montana housing director, FHA Administrator Stewart McDonald and other Federal Housing administrators, and marked the first tangible result of efforts to achieve a plan for federal assistance in rehabilitation of the earthquake-shocked city. The proposed project will include 50 or more detached or semi-detached dwellings.
Craighead said after today's meeting he felt certain a definite and satisfactory plan will be worked out shortly for a wide-spread construction program in Helena.
Housing officials said they stood ready to guarantee building financing in Helena whether done by private capital or through the Reconstruction Finance corporation.
Craighead made a detailed report of the situation to housing chiefs and augmented his verbal report with photographs showing damage done to residences and other buildings.
It was believed a part of the building program would be carried on through the Montana Reconstruction corporation, which is prepared to receive applications for loans from individuals, commercial enterprises, school districts and quasi public institutions.
The RFC has an allotment from an appropriation approved by congress specifically for disaster relief. These loans would be designed to aid borrowers who for one reason or another are not in a position to borrow directly from the banks.
Officials of the RFC and housing administration indicated they are ready to proceed and aid the reconstruction work to the full limit of their legal authority.
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
ALL ACTIVITIES ARE SPEEDED UP
Residents of Helena yesterday were presenting definite proof that they have shaken off the quake wrought shackles which have restricted activities for the last week, and are fast returning to normal life and relationships.
For the last few nights, electric signs on Main street have blazed in full array and effect and each night has seen a growing parade of pedestrians on the downtown streets.
They were brought out by the desire to "window shop," to get a little exercise or just to experience "that feeling of mingling in the crowd on the streets." Only the theaters were dark.
Removal of the ugly scars left by the tremors progressed rapidly yesterday as nearly 400 men continued the job of tearing down structures too badly damaged to repair, or removed dangerous or badly damaged walls and chimneys without cost to the property owners.
City Engineer Oscar Baarson reported that the work was moving smoothly and that the difficulties involving the Montana block had been quickly ironed out.
Crews will start today eliminating the dangerous conditions and it is expected that by Monday afternoon a portion of the building will be ready for occupancy again. The parapet walls and the large stack are to be removed and rebuilt.
"I would not care to be in that building if another earthquake came," the Denver engineer is quoted as having said to Mr. Baarson.
Activity was particularly great in the warehouse district adjacent to the Northern Pacific depot. Many of the badly damaged warehouses are practically ready to start rebuilding work and activity is expected to be in full swing by next week.
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
After a day of relative quiet, 17 tremors were reported at the Helena weather bureau for the 24-hour period ending at midnight last night. All were recorded as weak except the one at 10:38 yesterday morning, which was described as moderate.
Yesterday was the 28th consecutive day of seismic activity in Helena, and brought the total since October 12 to 903. The last one last night was at 10:38 o'clock.
The longest period of time without a disturbance was between Thursday morning and Friday morning at 12:28, when 17 hours and 42 minutes elapsed without a tremor.
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
Helena Agency Of RFC Receiving Many Inquiries
Two applications for loans totaling $2,200, to be used for rehabilitation purposes, were yesterday approved by the members of the board of directors of the Capital City Rehabilitation corporation, and were forwarded to Washington, D.C., for final approval, it was announced by Norman Winestine, president.
One of the loans will be used for the deepening of a well, the water in which disappeared into the ground after the recent earth shocks.
Yesterday's loans bring the total of approved loans to four, amounting to $5,700, and, according to Mr. Winestine, there are many more applications pending appraisal by the Helena agency of the RFC.
"Rebuilding is now being extensively carried on throughout the city," Mr. Winestine said, "and we expect to receive a large number of applications within the next few days."
He also announced that the Helena agency of the RFC will remain open on Monday, Armistice day, in order to take care of the great number of inquiries being received there daily.
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
Although St. Peter's procathedral and parish house have been inspected by the city engineer and pronounced safe for use, no services will be held at the church this Sunday because of the ban by city authorities on public gatherings, it was announced yesterday.
This situation will prevail until the ban is lifted, the Rev. Henry H. Daniels said.
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
Many Helena residents, who were forced to vacate their homes following the recent earth shocks, have been taking advantage of the offer of free baths made by the Y.M.C.A. some time ago.
The officials of the "Y" have announced that the offer is still in effect, and that men, boys, girls and women are cordially invited to make use of this service.
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
"Earthquake drill" has been established in the spacious offices of the state auditor, in the west wing of the capitol.
The staff, a large number of young men and women, must remain on duty at all times, since all paychecks and warrants are issued therefrom.
The desks and tables where most of the young people work are behind a long counter and the exits from the building are hundreds of feet away.
At the quake alarm, the employees first stand at their desks, not for long, however, and move chairs out of the way. The next move is to dive under and take refuge from possible showers of plaster.
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
Postmaster Harry Hendricks yesterday learned one more way to stop earthquakes, in an unsigned letter that he received from Chicago. The latest quake-curer enclosed a map with his letter with two dots on it, one at Clancy and the other at Boulder. This is what he has to say:
"If you people in Helena want to get rid of the earthquakes, then drill inside where I have marked on the enclosed map. There is very much oil and gas in the Rocky mountains. Helena has a large gas pool, but Boulder has both oil and gas. I am interested in minerals and I know it is there."
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
An interesting explanation of Helena's private earthquakes is given by a Livingston man, Dr. J. E. Stuart, who has been a student of geology for many years.
Dr. Stuart has devoted his studies particularly to the formations of the Helena district and is well acquainted with the whole structure. He gives his personal opinions of the cause of the earthquakes, which seem to be as reasonable as any which have been advanced.
Dr. Stuart says, in an interview published in the Livingston Enterprise:
"According to United States geological survey, bulletin 52, published in Washington during 1913, the rock formations underlying Helena, are profoundly faulted.
"Geologically, a fault is: A dislocation caused by a slipping of rock masses along a plane of fracture.
"The geologic map of Helena and vicinity as shown in bulletin 527 discloses four distinct faults underlying or immediately contiguous to the town. Each of these faults has been distinctly traced several miles by the geologists who mapped the region. Two faults start from near the head of Oro Fino gulch and diverge in such way as to form a huge V, the western leg of which passes down Oro Fino gulch and beneath the western part of the city, while the eastern leg of the V crosses Dry gulch and continues beneath the eastern part of the town. The other two faults, showing about the same lengths and directions as the others, lie between Helena and East Helena.
"It is quite possible, even probable, almost a certainty, that the Helena quakes result from new slippages in one or more of these big faults. More than likely all of them are slipping for, since they are so closely associated, it would seem impossible for one of them to slip without putting all the others under stress such as to cause them also to slip. This may account for the unusual continuance of the Helena quakes.
"According to the experience of those versed in geology and seismic disturbances, we are justified in expecting early stabilization of these faults and their rock formations."
[Helena Independent; November 9, 1935]
In Helena
Craighead and Murray Again Succeed In Their Efforts
President Roosevelt came to the aid of Helena's home building program yesterday, and after a conference with Senator James E. Murray and Jesse Jones, chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation board, it was announced that the RFC would purchase the $200,000 issue of bonds to erect between 50 and 60 dwellings in the city.
Proceeds from the bonds, which will be guaranteed by the Federal Housing administration, will be used to build the houses. The houses will be new, modern, earthquake-resistant places, having from four to six rooms each.
At a meeting in Washington tomorrow, final details of the bond purchase will be worked out.
President Roosevelt's constant watch on the earthquake situation in Helena, his order that every relief need be met, and now the interest he has evidenced by giving most of a day to studying the housing project, reveals that he is eager to "go the limit for Helena," a member of the housing committee here said.
A. T. Hibbard, president of the Union Bank and Trust company, and chairman of the organization committee of the Helena Development company, was enthusiastic when news of the Washington meeting was received here.
"Helena owes a great debt to Senator Murray and Barclay Craighead, state director of the Federal Housing Administration," Mr. Hibbard said.
"While the city still was being tossed by fierce thrusts of the earth, Senator Murray and Mr. Craighead were busy with preliminary plans for the rebuilding of a greater Helena.
More than $8,000 was subscribed by Helena business men as working capital for the low-cost housing project.
The organization committee of Mr. Hibbard, chairman, J. E. O'Connell, J. D. MacKenzie, E. W. Brown, Alex Cunningham, Judge S. V. Stewart, H. W. Larson and J. E. Murphy quickly answered the order of the business men of Helena to "go to work."
Assisted by several volunteers the committee in two days secured almost 200 of the best building lots in this city.
These lots will be taken in for stock in the Helena Development company. With a great future confidently expected for Helena, it is likely that the ones who offered their lots under the Federal Housing Administrations insurance plan will find they have a splendid investment, but their spirit in turning over their property was, "We're doing it for Helena."
"Many people," Mr. Murphy said at a committee meeting, "did not wish to accept stock."
With the announcement yesterday of the Reconstruction Finance corporation's intention of purchasing the bonds of the local company, it is entirely possible that the great $200,000 building project may be but the first of several such low-cost housing projects, planned under the business-like supervision of the Housing administration.
Coupled with local plans for rebuilding, the earthquakes, which struck with such destructive suddenness and now are mounting towards the 1,000 mark, will mean the start of a greater Helena. Almost certainly, present indications are that Helena for the next year will be one of the busiest cities in the nation.
Mr. Hibbard, advised by S. L. Berg, architectural supervisor of the Federal Housing administration that homes could be built without difficulty in the winter immediately called a meeting of the organization committee for noon today.
"We are going ahead at once, spurred by this wonderful news from Washington," Mr. Hibbard said.
Mr. Berg says no home can be made "quake proof--if the quake is too severe," but that residences can be made quake-resistant to a great extent.
His own home is an example of proper construction, as it emerged almost untouched by the three severe, and 900 plus smaller temblors which shook brick houses down throughout the city.
Mr. Craighead will remain in Washington until after the Monday meeting of the RFC board, when he will return to Helena. He went to Washington with word of the attitude of Helena business men, following the Wednesday meeting.
While in Washington he is securing a number of plans and specifications of the best types of homes built in the northern states.
It is these types, combining the best "quake construction" methods conceived in California, which will be erected in Helena.
At the Wednesday meeting of business men, Mr. Craighead explained that the project would do more than provide 60 fine homes for Helena families to rent on a reasonable basis.
Under present regulations of the housing administration covering low-cost housing projects the homes can not be sold until the entire mortgage indebtedness of the project is paid in full.
Unless these regulations are changed, the development company will be in existence for 20 years, when the indebtedness of the company will have been erased on a monthly, amortized basis.
It is understood that $2,000 for each home, which might be necessary to insure the start of immediate construction of the homes, is available through banking channels of this city.
Washington, Nov. 9 (AP)--Inexpensive methods
of making buildings "earthquake-resistant" were
outlined today by Barclay Craighead, Montana director
of the Federal Housing administration, who estimated
they would reduce damage from earth tremors by 50
per cent.
Craighead, here for a conference with housing
officials on means of rehabilitating areas damaged in
the recent Montana disturbances, said that all
"earthquake sectors" could benefit from "quake-proof"
construction.
"Damages from earthquakes to residences in most
cases could be reduced by about 95 per cent with this
type of construction," he said, "but greater damage on
larger buildings would make the average damage
reduction about 50 per cent."
Saying that on a $5,000 house it would cost
only about $100 to fortify it against earthquakes,
Craighead listed these details of construction:
Bricks should be bounded to the building frame
by small steel "tees," or holders.
Chimneys either should be made entirely of a
special asbestos-lined tin or should be supported in
each corner with steel rods.
Iron tie-rods should run through the building,
giving added strength.
Joists and frame supports should be strengthened
by braces or other means.
Craighead expressed the opinion that quake
threatened communities might wisely take these
precautions on all new buildings.
"It undoubtedly would be a wise thing," he
declared. "A man would be a sap not to take
advantage of these methods if he lives in an
earthquake sector."
Many buildings in some such sectors already
have been constructed with additional supports to
mitigate earthquake damage, he said.
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
ONLY FEW ARE REQUIRING HELP
Estimates made on 31 Helena homes damaged by the earthquakes revealed that it will cost $24,693 to repair or replace them, it was announced yesterday by Albert Evans of St. Louis, sent to Helena by the American Red Cross to handle relief work here. Evans succeeds E. S. Transue, disaster relief representative of the organization, who left yesterday for Denver.
Evans said that $9,484.68 had already been expended for repairs, which amount is included in the $24,693. The largest single repair job on which an award has been made will cost $1,931, the Red Cross man said. So far, 20 individual awards for repairs have been made, outside of so-called emergency jobs, which include minor repairs such as building up chimneys. These minor repairs made many homes in Helena habitable.
In only two instances, so far, will the Red Cross have to build entirely new houses, and these will cost about $2,000 each. The estimates made by the Red Cross on the $24,693 worth of work range from $17.50 to $2,000.
Repairs have been completed so far on about 30 houses where Red Cross aid was sought.
Evans said that where two or more brick walls have fallen, the Red Cross is tearing down the houses and replacing them with frame structures.
The engineer in charge for the Red Cross said that not a single house in Helena had been thrown off its foundation by the earthquakes. In Long Beach, nearly every house damaged was shaken from its foundation during the big quake there in 1933. It was pointed out that in Helena, not a single house was moved more than an inch from the foundation. It would indicate that the earthquakes in Long Beach were most intense in their horizontal motion, while those in Helena did their biggest damage from a vertical motion.
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
Helena's public schools will not reopen for at least another week, and perhaps more, but classes in several fields of music work will probably be started next week, it was announced yesterday by R. O. Evans, superintendent.
It was at first thought the buildings least damaged could be repaired in time for school to be resumed Monday, but after repair work had been started, it was disclosed that more extensive repairs would be necessary than was first thought.
The repair work is being carried on with federal funds, and the men are under the supervision of Linn Smith, general contractor.
Permission was yesterday granted Mr. Evans by the board of elders of the First Christian church for the use of that building for music classes.
As soon as is possible, the regular schedule of chorus work, band and orchestra practice and instruction will be started, he said.
The resumption of the music classes is dependent upon the lifting of the ban on public gatherings and the certification of the building for occupancy.
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
Effort Will Be Made To Catch Up On Lost Work
Carroll college, declared by engineers to be structurally sound after the two severe earthquakes here last month, will resume classes Monday, November 11, Father Emmet Riley, president, said last night. Carroll high school will resume Monday also.
Two engineers under the supervision of City Engineer Oscar Baarson today completed their inspection of the structure on Capitol hill.
The only extensive outside damage to the large stone building was the shaking down of a few pinnacles and some coping on the east and west walls of the south wing. Inside there were no defects other than some fallen plaster.
Classes will be resumed on the regular schedule in effect before school was interrupted by the quakes. Father Riley said effort would be centered on making up for the time lost.
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
Damage estimated at $500,000 was caused at the various institutions of the Catholic church in the Helena diocese by reason of the recent earthquakes, according to a letter written by Ralph L. Hayes, Bishop of Helena, to the Pope in Rome.
The following excerpts show the extent of the damage.
"Not one of our eight church institutions in Helena and East Helena escaped without severe damage; several of them are total losses.
"St. Mary's combination church and school is practically stripped of its brick walls. The rectory is severely damaged.
"St. Vincent Academy has been condemned as a total loss, and will have to be replaced.
"The children of St. Joseph's Orphanage spent several nights in a barn. While they have now returned to the main building, they are not permitted to occupy their dormitories, and their school building will not be opened for many months.
"At the House of the Good Shepherd, the laundry--the principal source of revenue--is a total loss. The girls have not been permitted to return to the main building, and at present are finding shelter in the unoccupied Bishop's house.
"St. John's hospital has been forced to suspend activities and the damage is so great that it has to be entirely rebuilt.
"Carroll college, our Diocesan college, has sustained great damage. Parts of the building have fallen which has so endangered occupancy.
"St. Helena's cathedral has also suffered severe damages."
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
Quake-stricken Helena crept closer to the world's record last night as five earth rumblings were reported by the Helena weather bureau for the 24-hour period ending at midnight.
The shocks yesterday brought the total since October 12 to 909, the 29th consecutive day of seismic activity.
Five tremors were recorded yesterday at 1:35 a.m., 1:37, 2:04 a.m. and 11:20 p.m. Those at 2:04 and 11:20 were described as moderate.
In the meantime, building operations were hampered by a fall in temperature. At 9 o'clock last night the thermometer had reached 5 above. At midnight the recording was 7 above.
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
What outsiders believe resulted from the Helena earthquake of October 18 is shown in a letter written to Fergus Falls, Minn., by Miss Mildred Buckneberg, a teacher at the Helena high school to her aunt, Mrs. J. N. Rovang.
This is what Miss Buckneberg wrote to her aunt, as reprinted in the Fergus Falls Weekly Journal:
"We have had nearly a hundred shocks--Friday night--a week after the first one I wrote you about, we had the second series of worse shocks and it was a night of horror, with the city plunged in darkness, electric lights being cut by the quake--We camped around fires and watched building after building fall into ruins.
"Fire started and water mains broke. Scientists predicted the worst shocks were still to come inside of 36 hours. We're out of the danger zone up in the Gallatin valley, camping in the mountains. The new high school is in ruins and there will be no school--words fail to tell the terror of indefinitely. It has been terrible the last week.
"Last night we slept as we haven't done for a week. But as I say we are so thankful to have escaped with our lives--when we are nerved to do it we will return to Helena. This is such an upset literally. I haven't any idea what I'll be doing. The bad shock lasted about two seconds less than the San Francisco earthquake. I am going down the valley to a store for supplies, walking. This is a beautiful valley--mountains, the Gallatin river, the gateway to Yellowstone park."
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
Residents of Fort Benton, the birthplace of Montana, have shown a sympathetic feeling toward Helena in her time of need, according to John M. Power, who received a letter from J. Ritter, president of the Pioneer Mercantile company, stating that more than $500 had been mailed to the Helena chapter of the Red Cross by residents of Fort Benton.
Nearly every employed person in the town contributed to the fund, the letter stated, and it was expected that another amount of the same size will be raised and sent here.
Should another amount of the same size as the first one be received here by the Red Cross, the total fund raised by the residents of Fort Benton will average about $1 per capita.
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
Although Manhattan already has raised $100 by public subscription for Helena's earthquake relief problem, the little municipality is ready and eager to go the limit, according to Oliver H. Campbell, superintendent of schools there.
Mr. Campbell was in Helena yesterday to inspect the earthquake damage here and to offer all the resources of that city to aid people here.
"We have several unused rooms in our high school building, to which the Helena schools are welcome, if they desire to send their pupils there for the winter," he said. The offer was made to Supt. of Schools R. O. Evans.
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
Teachers in the schools of Great Falls have gathered a fund of $331.50 to help Helena people who suffered during the recent earthquakes, City Superintendent R. O. Evans was advised yesterday by Irving W. Smith, the Falls superintendent. Mr. Evans received a letter from Mr. Smith expressing sympathy on behalf of the teachers in the Electric city. Mr. Smith advised that about 18 Helena children had enrolled in the Great Falls schools since the big earthquakes here.
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
President Joe Bossler Receives Many Wires
President Joe Bossler of the Helena Rotary club has received many expressions of regret and offers of assistance since the city began to shake. Letters and telegrams have come not only from District Governor Curtis L. Wilson of Butte, head of Rotary in Montana, and numerous Montana Rotary clubs, but also from Secretary Chesley R. Perry of Rotary International, Chicago, and clubs far distant from Helena.
Secretary Harry Meech of the Lethbridge, Alberta, club writes, "We have read with much concern the reports of the recent damage to your fair city by earthquakes. The Lethbridge members of Rotary wish to convey to your members their deepest sympathy and expression of good will. Our hearts are with you, and our best wishes accompany this expression of good will."
From Seattle comes a message from Rotary Secretary C. W. Martin which reads: "We have been reading the press dispatches from time to time regarding the damage you have sustained from recent earth shocks. We are wondering if any of your Rotary members have suffered serious losses and are in need. In other words, is there anything the Rotary club of Seattle can do to assist you? This is to assure that we would be more than glad to do so."
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
History Shows Man Terrorized Always By Earth Rumbling
Helena Quakes Are Traced To Faults In Under Strata
By Dr. Harold W. Scott
Geologist, State Bureau of Mines and Geology
Montana School of Mines, Butte, Mont.
Throughout the history of civilization no natural phenomenon has been such a terror to mankind as the earthquake. Its mysterious nature, its frightful destructiveness to property and life, and its sudden unexpected occurrence accompanied with the screams of the hysteric and injured instill untold fear in the human mind.
We find records of earthquakes in the Old Testament, "Thou has made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it; heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh." Again, in the 114th Psalm, "The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs . . . tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord."
Only a few years ago superstitious peoples of the world attributed the shaking of portions of the earth to the wanderings of animals beneath the surface. In India it was a large mole; in Japan, a large spider, though in modern times this has given place to a giant catfish; in China, a subterranean hog; by some of the old philosophers earthquakes were thought to be due to underground fires, gases, or winds. Even to this day many people are little better informed in regard to the cause of earthquakes. Recent rumors of volcanic ash and fire issuing from fissures, 40-foot crevasses, the freezing of geysers in Yellowstone park resulting in a great explosion in Helena valley are all indications of our desire to believe the ridiculous and preposterous.
On April 18, 1906, California experienced the worst earthquake in the history of the state. The area of destruction was about 400 miles long and about 50 miles wide on either side of the San Andreas fault. In San Francisco about 500 people were killed and at least $250,000,000 property damage resulted from the quake and the fire which followed it, destroying most of the city.
The most recent disastrous quake occurred in Japan on Sept. 1, 1923, when 99,000 people lost their lives, 128,000 houses completely collapsed and 447,000 houses were burned. Great fires often follow a major earthquake because the water mains break, leaving the city defenseless against the fires which start when stoves or lamps are overturned, electric wires break and short circuit, or from other causes.
It is obvious that the Helena earthquake was of moderate intensity when compared with some of the great quakes of the past.
Volcanic activity is also recognized as a cause of some earthquakes. However, such quakes are not of the first magnitude and the disturbed area is very small. Earthquakes caused by volcanoes may destroy houses which are situated directly above the disturbance, but the waves will not be felt for more than a few miles in any direction. The volcanic earthquake is localized, the waves set up do not travel over wide areas, and the focus is very shallow.
The fact that the Helena earthquakes send waves far out in all directions is sufficient evidence to consider their cause as slippings along a fault.
The shock is recorded on seismographs in different parts of the world because the waves are propagated laterally in all directions from the center of the disturbance as well as through the earth. The zone on the surface directly above the disturbance is called the epicentre. Here the intensity is greatest. The intensity decreases as the waves move out from the epicentre. The rate of decrease may be due to the kind of rock strata though which the waves pass. Lines can be drawn marking zones of equal intensity; these lines are known as isoseismals. The intensity scale ranges from 1 to 10. For example, zone 1 represents a shock so weak that only an experienced observer can detect it; zone 4 is marked by a shock strong enough to disturb movable objects and is felt by several persons in motion; zone 6 represents a shock strong enough to cause the swinging of chandeliers, stopping of clocks, agitation of trees and shrubs, and general awakening of those asleep; zone 9 is marked by partial or total destruction of some buildings.
Because of the deep cover of gravel and sand in the Helena valley it is impossible to identify the particular fault plane along which movement has taken place. If the fault plane was expressed at the surface then it would be possible to measure the amount and direction of the movement, but such is not the case in this particular instance.
The actual movement which has taken place is unquestionably small, probably an amount measurable in inches. Of course, only slight movements of large masses of rock are necessary for the development of moderate earthquakes.
When the waves reach the surface of Helena valley they cause a slight rolling of the ground so that the surface is alternately under pressure and tension. On Oct. 18 the tension caused minor shallow surface cracks in the vicinity of Stanchfield lake and the compression caused shallow subsurface water to flow out of these newly developed fissures for a short period of time. It is only natural that the water which flowed out would carry small quantities of mud and sand. The flow of water in some springs, mines and wells increased, but in a short period of time this flow will probably return to normal.
A few small rock slides occurred at distances not greater than 15 miles from Helena valley. All were of minor importance.
In the epicentre of major earthquakes, fences, telephone lines, roads and other straight lines may show considerable displacement. No such conditions have been observed in the Helena valley.
The moving of loose objects, the twisting and overturning of tombstones, the falling of chimneys, the cracking of windows and plaster, the failure of veneer brick walls, and the overturning of copings and parapets, accompany all moderate shocks if the epicentre is near inhabited areas.
Major shocks may destroy the best of buildings if these buildings were not constructed with a view to resisting the lateral stresses set up by earthquake wave.
At present it is too early to speak of the after shocks in the Helena area.
It is entirely possible that after-shocks will continue for a year or more. However, the number of after-shocks in Helena are more numerous than in most cases where the actual displacement of rock masses is small. A great number of small after shocks usually indicates a healthy condition; that is, the strain is being taken up gradually instead of suddenly.
Stories concerning fissures 40 feet wide, volcanic material of recent origin being ejected from earth fissures, underground vacuums and fires, and other reports of a like character find no support either in geologic science or in the history of earthquakes in other parts of the world.
[Helena Independent; November 10, 1935]
"COPPER" HOMES PLANNED FOR PROJECT
Helena, in its $200,000 low cost housing project, assured by information that the Reconstruction Finance corporation will purchase bonds of the Helena Development company, will build from 50 to 60 of the most modern houses in America.
Barclay Craighead, state director of the federal housing administration, acting on instructions of the organization committee of the Helena Development company, is now engaged in securing plans and specifications of the latest developments in home construction.
"Acting for our committee, Mr. Craighead, who is now in Washington arranging final details for purchase of the bonds, is securing completed plans for the most modern residences.
"Among the houses he is inspecting is the copper house being finished at Bethesda, Penn.
"The men in charge of the initial work of the Helena Development company are going to consider building probably 10 of these and other modernistic residences.
"It is entirely probable that the building of these might cause an entirely different Helena to grow from the ruins of the old-style brick "box" structures, which in the past have been so popular here. The Bethesda "copper" house, which has attracted so wide attention and is air conditioned, is sheathed with copper."
Members of the committee of the Helena Development company pointed out that if a number of "copper" houses were included among the 60 homes to be built here in the immediate future that the Montana mining industry would be helped.
"The contractors of America, who build homes, will watch the initial project of Helena, J. E. O'Connell, a member of the committee said. "If successful they will build similar structures."
"It is said that a copper home will weather more attractively than brick, has advantages in that it saves the home owner in paint and repair bills and is practically 'perpetual' when once erected."
"Before the earthquakes Helena had a housing shortage," Mr. Hibbard said.
"The erection by the Helena Development company of from 50 to 60 homes will help solve this housing shortage, but will not entirely cure it. It is entirely possible that this will be but the first low cost housing project in Helena, and that others will follow until our citizens are enabled to secure homes suitable for their means."
"The people of Helena intend to build their own homes. The 50 houses we erect may influence many in the building of houses next spring.
"The Helena Development company intends in its erection of this group of houses to give an example to those who now plan to build later. No house will be cheaply built. Each house will be earthquake-resistant to the highest degree known to modern engineering."
Work of the Helena Development company today followed news from Washington yesterday that after a meeting between President Roosevelt, Senator James E. Murray and Jesse Jones, of the Reconstruction Finance corporation, that a plan had been drawn by which the RFC would purchase bonds of the Helena company.
S. L. Berg, architectural supervisor of the housing administration, is now at work on preliminary plans for the erection of the houses.
Final plans will not be approved until Mr. Craighead returns from the east about the middle of next week, bringing with him the specifications for the "copper" house, as well as others he is now inspecting in New York.
One of the facts brought out by Mr. Berg in statements to members of the committee was that brick construction could be made earthquake-resistant to a high degree.
"The proper tying-in of bricks, and other slight precautions make brick residences earthquake resistant," Mr. Berg said.
"The modern brick home should not be considered as unsafe as the old structures erected years ago, before it was even considered that Helena was in an earthquake zone."
[Helena Independent; November 11, 1935]
Big Meet To Be Held In Helena But Real Facts Known
That Helena may receive the finest structural engineering suggestions, in the hope that the Capital city again will be the leading dome for all municipalities in the state, groups of architects, structural engineers and all others interested in the rebuilding of Helena, will meet this afternoon in the Placer hotel.
One of the features of the meeting will be the address of R. McC. Beaufield, consulting engineer, member American Society of Civil Engineers, member of the American Society Mechanical Engineers, and a member of the Seismological Society of America.
This Los Angles engineer is sponsored by the chamber of commerce of that city. He is closely identified with rehabilitation work in California, having rehabilitated more than 40 schools and many other structures.
Mr. Beaufield designed the Shrine temple and the St. Vincent's hospital in Los Angeles, and received the Norman Fowler award of the American Society of Civil Engineers for 1931. He is past president of the Structural Engineering Association of Southern California. He is president of the local section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers of Los Angeles.
He played a prominent part in forming the uniform building code of California. He has had considerable experience in the Orient, especially during the Japanese earthquake of 1926, rehabilitating damaged structures and designing buildings that would be earthquake-resistive.
Dr. Dean S. Carter of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic survey, also will deliver a paper on the Helena earthquake situation. He is in charge of the seismological instruments. He will speak on "Earthquakes and Their Design and New Structure."
This is the first of a series of talks and round table discussions planned by Oscar Baarson on construction and materials to be used in earthquake resisting structures.
The papers and lectures will be of popular nature, but will have sufficient technical detail to be of value to those interested in design.
A quiet Sabbath was enjoyed in Helena yesterday with a noticeable dearth of tremors. To add to the pleasure of the quake weary population, a predicted cold wave proved to be of short duration and the sun beamed down for most of the day with the weather for tomorrow forecast as warmer.
Only three jolts were recorded today at the federal building, all minor with no damage reported. The first was recorded at 12:17 a.m., the second at 9 a.m., followed closely by the third and last at 9:35 a.m., bringing the total recorded to date to 914 shocks.
[Helena Independent; November 11, 1935]
In a comprehensive report on the Helena earthquake and condition in the city, the board of underwriters of the Pacific condemns the present city administration, particularly Mayor C. J. Bausch.
The report is signed by H. F. Badger, secretary manager, after receiving the reports of a score of field men, all strangers to this community, who came here to investigate conditions for all the board insurance companies doing business in Montana.
"The mayor of the city, C. J. Bausch, refused to aid or cooperate in emergency measures necessary to safeguard life and property," says the report in the very lead. It goes on to say:
"A number of engineers, architects, geologists and others volunteered their aid in carrying out inspections and other necessary emergency work. The city authorities gave no cooperation and actually discouraged their efforts.
"The city engineer, Oscar Baarson, did all one man could to carry on emergency inspections and to expedite reoccupancy of structures where this could be done with safety.
"The plea of the city engineer for aid and additional personnel was flatly refused by the mayor."
In justice to Police Commissioner Amos Shellady, it should be said that he should not be included in the severe condemnation of the Helena city administration. There has been no complaint whatever of the conduct of either the police or fire departments. In fact the people of Helena have nothing but praise for the conduct of Commissioner Shellady, Chief of Police Roger Smith and his men, Fire Chief Martin Juhl and his men.
Being strangers to the community, the fire underwriter inspectors centered the criticism on the mayor and "city authorities."
When the fire underwriters of the Pacific refer to the city administration in their reports, they mean the majority of the commissioners, Bausch and Evans.
[Helena Independent; November 11, 1935]
The offices of the Helena agency of the Reconstruction Finance corporation will remain open today in order to take care of the large number of applications which has been received within the last two days.
Although four applications for rehabilitation loans have been approved by the Capital City Rehabilitation corporation and the Helena agency of the RFC, up until the last two days the agencies have been receiving mostly inquiries from property owners.
Friday the applications started pouring in, and by Saturday night, the RFC force was swamped with work, as each application must be checked over, and the property to be rebuilt or replaced must be appraised by the office appraiser.
Officials of the Helena agency of the RFC will be in the offices all day today, to furnish prospective applicants with information concerning loans, and to receive and check applications.
[Helena Independent; November 11, 1935]
* * * * * * * * *
SO SAYS CITY RELIEF
Although Helena has very few minor rumbles as Mother Earth is rapidly regaining its natural posture, the church of the wildwood, which is a section of the Green Meadow warehouse was filled with an enthusiastic congregation as the Rev. Harvey Batey delivered an inspiring message entitled "Press On."
Persons at the Green Meadow Refugee Base maintained by the Salvation Army spent a quiet and peaceful day and are all of the belief that period of nervousness is something to tell their grandchildren and be forgotten.
[Helena Independent; November 11, 1935]
...terrific tremors of Oct. 12 and 18, are told by Dr. Dean S. Carder of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, that the recurrent shake of Oct 31, although sharp and devastating, was one-half the intensity of the California temblor of the Long Beach, Calif., quake of March 10, 1933.
Helena people recall the gigantic movements of Oct. 12 and 18, but the lesser one of Oct. 31, recorded by the geodetic survey, discloses with vivid description the full account of the subterranean shock. Dr. Carder, in explaining the graphs registered by his sensitive equipment, says:
"The record of the earthquake of Oct. 31 indicates that the horizonal intensity, measured in our terms, was 16 per cent gravity. For example, if the house you live in weighs 100 ton and a giant should shake the foundation with a force of 16 tons in the frequency of the earthquake motion, that is, five to seven times a second for four seconds, then the effect upon the house would be the same as if this earthquake had struck it."
"Using the same method of measurement the intensity of the Long Beach earthquake of March 10, 1933, was nearly twice that of the Helena earthquake of Oct. 31," Dr. Carder said. The accelerograph set up in Helena was brought here from the Golden Valley park in San Francisco.
A similar instrument recorded the Long Beach earthquake in 1933. Dr. Carder said that the records of Helena's last major shake, together with the Long Beach writings, are the best records of major earthquakes taken in the region of greatest activity, in existence.
The great work done in recording and explaining the movements of the earth is best set forth in Dr. Carder's own words:
"The toll of human life by a destructive earthquake may be prevented in one of two ways, man can move out of the region where an earthquake is apt to occur, or one can build houses that an earthquake is not apt to destroy. The former course, obviously, is not practical. The only alternative then, is to build earthquake resistance structures. In order to do this, a knowledge of what the earth is doing, what forces are in play, and the way these forces are acting during a destructive earthquake and the region of the greatest activity is necessary.
"The splendid seismological laboratories in Berkeley and Pasadena, Calif., can give us a picture of earthquake activity from a distance, but they cannot tell us what is happening at the site of the earthquakes.
"If these delicate instruments should have been placed at Helena during the heavy tremors of Oct. 18 and 31, they would have given us the exact time and direction of the first impulse and that is all. The record of what happened during the greatest disturbance would have been lost.
"An electric motor drives a drum carrying photographic paper, a lamp is lit, and a clock beats off half seconds. The image of the lamp filament is reflected by three mirrors, one of each attached to a small pendulum which vibrates in response to the earth motion in a given direction. The three pendulums are set to respond to earth motion in three directions, for instance, E-W, N-S and vertical. Three beams of light are hence reflected onto a cylindrical lens and from thence to a spot on the drum of photographic paper. As the little pendulums respond to earth motion, the beams of light move backward and forward, and thus describes a wavy line on the paper. The paper is developed and a permanent record of the earthquake is obtained.
"The instrument described is called an accelerograph because it measure the forces in play during the earthquake. There are 34 of these machines. It also maintains six instruments which register earth displacement directly, and 11 others which record on a plate of smoked glass. The accelerographs are the most useful.
"We have recorded nearly a dozen tremors in their entirety, that is, the instrument was running when the first waves came in from the disturbance. From these records, it is possible to locate the center of the disturbance which is called the focus. The epicenter is a point on the surface directly above the focus.
"From all indications, the focus lies within 4 miles of the federal building in Helena in a north to northeast direction. The records indicate that the depth of the focus is three miles or more, which would place the epicenter within three miles to the north or northeast.
"The record of the earthquake of October 31, 1935, indicates that the horizontal intensity, measured in our terms, is 16 per cent gravity. For example, if the house you live in weighs 100 tons and a giant should shake the foundation of the house with a force of 16 tons in the frequency of the earthquake motion, that is, from five to seven times a second for four seconds, then the effect upon the house would be the same as if this earthquake had struck it. Using the same method of measurement, the intensity of the Long Beach earthquake of March 10, 1933, was nearly twice that of the Helena earthquake of October 31."
[Helena Independent; November 11, 1935]
But one change in the city's recently enacted ordinance in regard to constructing "earthquake resistant" buildings was recommended by R. M. Beanfield, a consulting engineer from Los Angeles, who last night addressed a crowd of 200 or more Helena people on the mezzanine floor of the Placer hotel on "Earthquake Rehabilitation."
The present ordinance provides that every fifth layer of brick shall be bonded, or that every fifth row of brick in a new building shall have a row of bricks running diagonally. Mr. Beanfield recommended that this portion of the ordinance be made more strict, and that every third row of brick be bonded. The matter of making this amendment will likely be considered at the next meeting of the city council.
Dr. Carder gave an interesting talk in which he explained the response of different types of buildings in earthquakes, while Mr. Beanfield told of what should be done in new construction.
Beanfield has had wide experience in rebuilding structures after devastating earthquakes, both here and abroad. In California he has designed more than 60 earthquake resistant school houses as well as the Shrine Temple at Los Angeles and St. Vincent's hospital there.
After his talk last night, Mr. Beanfield answered numerous questions not only for architects and builders, but for the public in general. He spent more than an hour answering queries on earthquake-resistant construction.
The visiting engineer was in 1921 awarded the Norman Fowler award of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
He was also instrumental in framing the uniform building code now in effect in California.
Mr. Beanfield has had considerable experience in the Orient, particularly after the Japanese earthquake of 1926, rehabilitating damaged structures and designing buildings to be quake resistant. He is a past president of the Structural Engineering Association of Southern California.
[Helena Independent; November 12, 1935]
CONSTRUCTION SPEEDS UP
With the Helena Development company preparing to embark on its $200,000 home building program and with other reconstruction plans shaping up, City Engineer Oscar Baarson expects to resume the general inspection of buildings today to determine their fitness for occupancy.
Only a few inspections have been attempted since the October 31 shake, partly because the city engineer was handicapped by a lack of assistance and partly because it was decided that it would be good policy to wait until the shaking had subsided somewhat.
With 10 days elapsed since the last severe shock, Mr. Baarson has decided that it is safe to start re inspecting the more important buildings again, especially since the churches and other public and semi-public buildings desire to hold gatherings as soon as possible.
Nearly all of the principal buildings in the city and a large number of dwellings had been inspected before the October 31 quake, and this work must be done over in most cases. Probably half a dozen buildings have been checked during the last few days because of emergency conditions that made their use mandatory but outside of these, no certificates of occupancy have been issued.
City Engineer Baarson now has a staff of six or eight engineers to assist him with the work and will push the examinations with all possible speed.
Reconstruction of a number of the commercial buildings of the city was proceeding rapidly, notably in the warehouse district at the Northern Pacific depot. Badly damaged, the Nash-Finch, A. M. Holter and other warehouses are nearly restored to their former condition to meet the demands of their business. Repairs to the Larson block on Helena avenue, hard hit, will soon be completed and work on the Northern Pacific depot and other Northern Pacific buildings is making good headway.
All over the city, home owners are putting their dwellings in shape for occupancy, and in a few instances new structures have been started. The city's big building program, however, will not get under way for another month or two, it is estimated.
[Helena Independent; November 12, 1935]
Committee's Work Is Progressing, Says Earl J. Murphy
The committee in charge of securing lots for the Helena Development company will spend the next few days in the field, it was announced last night by Earl J. Murphy, who is in charge of the workers.
Mr. Murphy said that the work progressed in good shape yesterday when the committee began its field work. There are some 200 lots that the workers will check up on, to ascertain their owners, and if the title to them is clear.
Mr. Murphy said that the directors of the company met late yesterday afternoon and discussed the progress of the project to date. Recommended articles of incorporation were received from the FHA, and they were carefully scrutinized. It is expected that the development company will incorporate before the end of this week.
When the list of available lots is ready to submit to the FHA for approval, Mr. Murphy said that it would embrace about 100. This will give plenty of leeway in case some of the property does not meet with the approval of the federal agency.
[Helena Independent; November 12, 1935]
Martin Will Request Grant Of $175,000 To Do The Job
With the statement that more detailed inspection has shown Helena's new high school building was not damaged by earthquakes so extensively as first believed, A. H. Martin, Jr., executive assistant to Secretary Ickes, yesterday announced a supplemental application is being made for a grant of $175,000 to restore the building.
"That sum, it is estimated, will put the Helena high school in perfect condition and again make it something of which Helena can be proud," Martin said.
Martin added that although the deadline is past, it may be possible to transfer some PWA allocation and make available about $50,000 for restoration of the Bryant school in the sixth ward.
Gathered Monday afternoon at the headquarters of J. H. Rowe, personal representative of Frank Walker, were Martin, E. G. Bauer, special engineer in charge of school construction for the PWA; John E. Fields of Denver, irrigation specialist who came here at the request of Mr. Martin, and members of the Helena school board.
"What we want to emphasize," declared Rowe, "is that the Helena high school is not 'wrecked,' current reports to the contrary, and also that the inspection just completed under the direction of Mr. Bauer has shown that there was no structural weakness."
That the $175,000 grant, if allowed, will be ample to restore the high school to its former condition is the estimate of Engineer Bauer. It is, however, subject to possible revision, as it is based on what Bauer termed a "preliminary inspection." That inspection, it was intimated, was much more thorough, nevertheless, than any previously made.
[Helena Independent; November 12, 1935]
To check over plans and estimates for repairing and replacing homes damaged by the earthquakes, the advisory board of the Lewis and Clark County Red Cross chapter will meet this evening, it has been announced by Albert Evans, who is in Helena representing the American Red Cross. He said that two registrations were made at headquarters yesterday, bringing the total to 271. He does not expect that many more registrations will be made, except by those who discover damage done to their homes that they had heretofore overlooked. At this time, Mr. Evans said that but few were registered for groceries and bedding, most of them being for home repairs.
[Helena Independent; November 12, 1935]
Classes were resumed both in the college and high school departments of Carroll college yesterday with nearly the entire enrollment ready for the year's work. Dr. Emmet Riley, president of the institution, said that every effort would be made to make up for the lost time. The school has been closed for a little more than three weeks.
Under the supervision of City Engineer Oscar Baarson, two engineers made a careful inspection of the school building on Sunday, and declared that it was structurally sound. Damage to the college caused by the earthquakes was principally confined to the east and west walls of the south wing. On the interior, some plaster fell.
[Helena Independent; November 12, 1935]
Under the direction of Col. E. H. Williams, state adjutant general and commander of the 163rd infantry, national guard, workmen were cleaning up Camp Cooney yesterday, converted into an earthquake refugee camp after the tremor of October 18.
Another crew was cleaning up debris in and near the badly shattered state armory.
Army motor trucks and other military equipment have been removed and stored in garages and at the capitol.
[Helena Independent; November 12, 1935]
The little city of Kalispell, always noted for it up-and-coming spirit and its modern aggressiveness, leads all of those throughout the state in the generosity of its contributions to aid those who have suffered in the Helena earthquakes. That city has sent more than $2,500 to the Red Cross here for earthquake relief.
Incidentally, the donations were entirely voluntary and there was no direct solicitation for funds. Helena's situation was presented through the newspapers and the radio and immediately funds began to pour in to the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. The total collected amounts to about 50 cents per capita for that community.
An interesting account of the response by the people of Kalispell and Flathead county is contained in last week's Monitor, weekly paper published by H. J. Kelly. It follows in part:
"Kalispell people with those of other towns in Flathead county this week and last contributed at the rate of $100 per hour for a total of $2,200, which was sent to the Red Cross in Helena to be applied 100 per cent toward relief activities.
"Members of the chamber board of directors met Saturday morning, called Helena to determine what could be done and immediately set about to assist other agencies in the relief work. The first contributions, taken from members of the board, stared the pot off with $50, and from that time on contributions rolled in at the rate of $100 per hour during the time headquarters were open at the chamber of commerce. The rapid rate at which the fund grew was due in a large measure to the publicity given by the Inter Lake and by KGEZ, both of which published names of those who had contributed.
"Room "K" at the West Side school turned in $2.60, representing contributions from every child in the room, ranging from 1 cent to 25 cents.
"Town and communities also united to do their part in the relief work. Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Somers contributed liberally in a lump sum while individuals at Coram, Nyack, Big Arm, Lonepine, Camas, Marion and Polson sent in donations."
[Helena Independent; November 12, 1935]
Helena's municipal administration wrangle evident during the recent emergencies, bobbed into the foreground again yesterday when Commissioner of Public Safety Amos Shellady vigorously resented the attitude of Mayor C. J. Bausch toward payment of emergency debts.
The situation came to a head when the city council was asked to provide for the payment of $2,600 to 38 enlisted men of the national guard who served after the October 18th and 31st earthquakes.
"The Helena police department," Shellady retorted, "is not operated as a collection agency or revenue producing organization, but is for the protection of life and property and the preservation of public peace. Fines and penalties are incidental to those activities and it is regrettable when it is necessary to impose them."
Although a number of the guardsmen who served through bitter cold weather are now in need, city officials were advised, they received little encouragement that pay might be forthcoming. The mayor on the other hand, suggested it might be necessary for the legislature to act on the claim when it meets more than a year from now.
[Helena Independent; November 13, 1935]
Until a competent engineer makes a detailed report and a thorough investigation of all the buildings of the Helena school district, classes will not be resumed, according to Superintendent of Schools R. O. Evans.
This, he indicated, will be not earlier than the first part of December.
At the present time, a committee of the Helena school board is taking steps for the selection of the engineer and it is thought that some suitable man will be hired by the board within the next few days.
Repairs are going ahead on some of the buildings at full speed but school officials express themselves as doubtful if the work can be completed inside of three weeks.
Superintendent Evans pointed out that even if the schools are not opened until after the first of December, it will be possible to get in the required number of days for full accreditment this year. Before the earthquakes hit Helena, schools were in session 40-odd days and a schedule could be arranged so that the minimum number of 170 could be included, he believes.
By cutting out many holidays and holding classes on Saturdays it would be possible to finish the full year if the classes were not resumed until January 1 or after, it is said.
"Not until we receive all the facts in regard to the damage and we are sure the children will be safe, will the school work be resumed," the superintendent stated today.
[Helena Independent; November 13, 1935]
Long Beach Engineer Tells Kiwanians Of Huge Job
That City Engineer Oscar Baarson has not had the proper official cooperation or support, in the tremendous task that has confronted him as a result of the earthquakes, was strongly intimated yesterday by Charles Wales, Long Beach engineer, in an address before the Helena Kiwanis club.
Mr. Wales, who was city engineer of Long Beach at the time of the 1933 quake there, described that disaster and told of conditions in Long Beach following the tremor.
Mr. Wales gave the Kiwanians a good idea of the huge task before Helena's city engineer at the present time and asserted that everything possible should be done to lighten the burden.
Conditions in Long Beach were not much different than here insofar as the one- and two-story buildings were concerned, he said, but there were many taller buildings there which received major damage. Utilities leading into Long Beach also suffered more heavily, he said, and at some points the gas was off for as long as six weeks.
"However, your city engineer needs a lot of help and the fullest cooperation from everyone in order to carry on the process of rehabilitation successfully," he said.
"He will have to insist that public safety be put above any private interests," he stated.
[Helena Independent; November 13, 1935]
Repairing Of Present Church Would Be Most Costly
Because of the great expense that would be involved in repairing the structure and making it earthquake-resistant, officials of the board of the Methodist church and officers of the organization, at a meeting last night, gave every indication that a new building would be sought to replace the present St. Paul's church at Ewing street and Broadway.
The meeting, held at the Opp and Conrad chapel, was presided over by Rev. Reuben Dutton of Missoula, superintendent of the Rocky Mountain district of the church.
The matter of funds to finance the new building will be submitted to the Methodist Home Mission board, and the church members at large. A new church would be constructed with all of the earthquake-resistant features.
Also in attendance at the Philadelphia meeting will be Bishop Titus Lowe of Portland, who will return here November 25 to further discuss the church building problem. A final decision as to what will be done will be made at that meeting.
In the meantime, the Methodist church congregation and Sunday school will meet Sunday afternoons at the Presbyterian church here.
[Helena Independent; November 13, 1935]
Missoula, Nov. 13--Western Montana is to be covered thoroughly in the effort of the American Legion to raise funds for the relief of Helena earthquake sufferers, it was announced by the chairman of the committee in charge of the local post's fund-raising quake dance. Every legion post in the western part of the state is being contacted to assist in conducting the drive and to cause a large crowd of supporters to come to Missoula from outlying cities.
Not only is the local post arranging to contact every legion post in this region, but posts in northern Idaho and central Montana are being asked to help the victims of the catastrophe in Montana's capital city. All civic organizations are to be contacted as well, and the committee is seeking to line up the support of Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary in nearby cities through the local clubs.
[Helena Independent; November 13, 1935]
Thirty more cases involving awards aggregating $14,969.95 were approved by the awards committee of the Lewis and Clark chapter of the Red Cross at a meeting last evening.
With these 30 cases, the total number disposed of now comes to an even 100, and the total of awards made amounts to $25,619.95.
Up to yesterday there were 286 registered with the Red Cross, 10 of which came in yesterday. Albert Evans, representative of the American Red Cross, of St. Louis, said that he expects there will be about 300 registrations before the work is finished.
Not a single case recommended by the Red Cross workers has been turned down by the local committee. R. E. Towle is chairman of the awards group, and others at the meeting last night were A. T. Hibbard, J. D. MacKenzie, Quay Painter, John Gough, Sam Roberts and Dick Tobin.
Each of the five workers submits the cases she has been investigating, and after the history of the family is read, the committee acts on the recommendation. Most of those last night were for building repairs or replacements. Estimates submitted for the work are compiled by the building advisor of the Red Cross.
Those from Helena who suffered losses during the earthquakes feel most fortunate in having such a sympathetic group in charge. Although the cases are submitted by numbers, there are few that committee members do not recognize. Under the capable leadership of Mr. Towle, the cases are handled in rapid order. As interrogators, the committee members have a remarkable faculty of confining their questions only to those necessary, and as a result the meetings are conducted without any pointless discussions that would make them long-winded affairs. From attending the meeting it is apparent that the members have the greatest of interest in each case, so the brevity of the questions could not possibly be interpreted as meaning that the work is done haphazardly.
In several cases submitted by the workers, the applicants had telephoned or called at headquarters during the last few days and advised that they had found other means of meeting their needs. A most independent and resourceful attitude has been largely displayed by Helena people who suffered losses.
It was brought out that there are several, perhaps many people in Helena, who are really in need of assistance, but that their pride prevents them from registering at the Red Cross. Some cases will be investigated where applications have not been made, it was decided.
"It should be remembered," said Mr. Evans, who is handling the Helena relief work, "that the funds allotted or awarded by the Red Cross do not represent charity, but "neighborly helpfulness."
Mr. Hibbard announced to the committee that checks totaling $2,306.50 had been received by him from the chamber of commerce at Kalispell, this amount representing what was raised in that city alone. The campaign for funds is continuing throughout Flathead county. In submitting the funds, the secretary of the Chamber of Commerece said that although it was most sincerely hoped that there would never again be such a catastrophe in Helena, that should the occasion ever arise when the city was in need of assistance, "we hope that you will call on us again."
It was announced that several of the smaller Red Cross chapters had sent to national headquarters amounts aggregating $1,958.50 for use at Helena.
[Helena Independent; November 13, 1935]
Return to Newspaper Summary for Articles 250-299.
Return to Helena Earthquake Summary.
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