Radio to the Rescue

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 6

Radio to the Rescue

Great Help in Rescue Operations IN AMERICA’S FLOOD DISASTER. United Press Association—By Electric Received Wednesday, 2 a.m. NEW YORK, Jan. 26. Shortwave radio played a huge part in the rescue and relief work at Cincinnati and Louisville. Four great broadcasting stations, two in each city, remained constai*,ly on the air. Power was wired from other communities directing the work of boats and patrol cars equipped with radio. All were pleased to aid and sent the station’s broadcast to boats and cars at the nearest point where aid was needed, mating quick responses possible and avoiding confusion and oversight. The national networks picked up these emergency calls and rebroadcast to the coast at intervals during the day and night to permit those unaffected to listen-in and get a graphic picture of the plight of the flood regions.

The hook-up was valuable also in permitting officials in the cities to make and place various supplies and aid needed. Messages from all parts of the nation seeking news and relatives were answered by the network.

The skeleton staff of the Courier Journal is publishing a two-page newspaper on presses at Shelbyville, 30 miles away so that residents can get authentic news of the extent of the flood and print instructions to officials.

Clerks reported that nearly 50 prisoners were missing when the evacuation of the Frankfort reformatory was completed, supporting stories of rioting which emerged despite the strict censorship imposed by Colonel Chandler on the national guardsmen.

It is whispered that from ten to fifty were killed during the rioting, but even more were either slain, drowned or escaped if one State official’s statement is correct that 3111 were originally confined instead of 2906 which figure was given to the Press. The authorities called a conference later in the day to check the figures. The prisoners were ferried from the prison yard which is under 20 feet of water and were distributed in gaols in many of the surrounding cities, the Federal narcotic farm and temporary concentration camps.

Following a plea that Mayor Miller needed experienced men to man the rescue boats 191 seamen were recruited at New York and entrained for Louisville where 1000 troops were due during the day in their own trucks.

At Paducah evacuation is under way after commmunications were reopened. Senator Barkley, speaking for the funds appeal broadcast from Washington, pleaded for news of his mother and child among the Kentucky refugees.