June 23, 1953
Area Declared Health Hazard

Board of Health Action Clears Way for U. S. Cleanup Aid

The Genesee county Board of Health yesterday passed a resolution declaring the tornado area of the Beecher Metropolitan District a hazard to public health and safety. The action was endorsed by a later meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

Designation of the stricken site as a public health hazard is expected to clear the way for Federal aid on work the county contemplates performing on private property in the area.

Federal funds are not available for work done on private property unless it is done to relieve a public health or safety hazard. It will not exceed more than 60 per cent of such work in any circumstances.

In its resolution, the Board, which consists of the Health and TB Sanitorium committee of the Supervisors, asked the state for aid amounting to $350,000. It authorized County Controller Joseph Galliver to pay costs up to that estimate from the general fund pending reimbursement by the federal government through the state.

The money will be spent for clearing debris, filling empty basements and excavations and removing trees from all devastated properties. All property will be cleared except where owners make special request that the contractors do not clear their lands.

The work will be contracted out to private firms through a special Disaster committee appointed yesterday by the Supervisors.

The committee is composed of Harry G Voorhies, chairman of the Ways and Means committee; Robert G. Stoddard, Road committee chairman; Dr. Nicholas DelZingro, Health committee chairman, and Robert J.O'Too1e, Ralph G. Johnson, and Loyal Scothan, -supervisors from Mt. Morris, Genesee and Richfield townships.

The six-man group will handle all future county disaster work in the tornado area.

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Speaking before the regular noonday luncheon of the Civitan club at Hotel Durant, Schlotterbeck told the group that the people of America are the Red Cross, and the organization merely carries out the wishes of the people in aiding a disaster struck area.

"Since 1905, when the Red Cross was incorporated under Public Law 5, the organization has contributed. help in more than 4,800 major disasters," he said.

"Naturally during that time," he continued, "we have discovered the best and most efficient means of carrying out the people's desires in bringing aid to the victims."

Schlotterbeck recounted the work of the Red Cross immediately following the tornado which cut a savage swath in the Beecher area on June 8, killing 115 and injuring hundreds.

He cited the work of the Gray Ladies in the hospitals here immediately following the tornado, mobilization of the local chapter, to assist in rescue operations in at the stricken area, others carrying on an inquiry check at the chapter house to inform the general public of those injured or killed, setting up of the canteen corps to supply food and clothing to the victims and workers, and the housing committee's efforts to secure shelter for the homeless.

"But the Red Cross work does not end when the emergency period is over," he said. "Rehabilitation for the storm's victims is a large part of our work.

"Assistance, in resources sometimes only in advice is offered by the Red Cross to help the victims plan for the future," he continued. He stressed the point that the Red Cross funds are always a gift and never a loan, and that the people receiving this help assume no obligations of repayment.

While emergency operations are conducted on a mass basis, individual conferences are used in providing funds for rehabilitation from interviews with the victims to meetings with the local advisory board.

"Each family plan arrived at by the victims and Red Cross case workers is brought before the advisory board for final discussion," he said. "Rehabilitation is based on need not loss," he stressed.

The fund got two big boosts yesterday, one from the International Union of United Steelworkers in Pittsburgh, and the other from the MacDonald Co-operative Dairy of Flint, Chesaning and St. Louis, Mich.

David J. McDonald, steelworkers' union president, and Thomas Shane, district 123 director, contributed $10,000 to the Red Feather fund, bringing the total cash on hand to $171,041.40. The UAW-CIO has pledged an additional $50,000.

A contribution of $1,822.87 from employees of the Mac Donald dairy was announced yesterday by Gar Wagner, assistant to the general manager.

Wagner said that the employes' donations will be matched by a like amount in goods an cash from the company. He explained that services rendered to tornado victims already totaled $1,022.

'We supplied milk, cream and ice cream to the victims at Haskell and Berston community centers," he explained, "as well as to workers in toe area."

"In addition, all bills for residents of the tornado area have been marked paid by the company."

The dairy will add $800 cash to its contributed services to match the donation of its employes, Wagner said.

At yesterday's Council of Social Agencies meeting, a committee was appointed to study the problem of interviewing applicants for Red Feather and prior to distribution of the disaster funds.

David McDonald, local UAW-CIO administrative assistant, is chairman of the committee, which includes Rev. Fr. Earl V. Sheridan, Catholic Social services; Major Russell Crowell, Salvation Army; Gilbert Clark, Flint Federation of Labor; Judge William F. Doran, Probate Court; Frank W. Manley, Mott foundation; Mrs. Emily Woodward, County Bureau of Social Aid; and Miss Virginia Woodman, Family Service agency.

E. Paul Lynch, Community

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Piazza informed Mayor Donald Reigle and the state boxing commissioner, F1oyd Stevens, co-chairman of the committee which is conducting the program to aid victims of the recent tornado here, that he has signed Al Andrews, Superior, Wis., middleweight to meet Eddie Simms, Chicago puncher, in one of the four-round feature bouts. Andrews recently defeated Pat Lowry, of Toledo, for the second time in a bout in Saginaw which set a new Saginaw Valley record for fight gate receipts.

Simms kayoed Tommy Leedle while the latter was staging a comeback from two knockouts at the hands of Lowry in fights that drew capacity crowds in Detroit. It ended the popular Detroiter's career.

Piazza now is seeking opponents for Rocky Casilio, the "Blue Island Express," and King Solomon, Chicago's Jewish middleweight, who are donating their a services through the courtesy of their manager, Jack Begun.

The money was to have been used for a farewell banquet for Rabbi Morton M. Applebaum, the temple's spiritual leader who has resigned to accept a like position with Temple Beth Israel at Akron, O.

The tribute, which was to have been held the day after the tornado disaster, was called off at the rabbi's request. Funds which would have been used for the event, less expenses, will be included in the $700 gift - which will be presented by the temple to in the name of Rabbi Applebaum.

Mrs. S. S. Pearlstine and Mrs. Ben Schlagel, of the farewell banquet arrangements committee, spearheaded the move to convert proceeds to the disaster fund.

Co-sponsored by the Flint Boxing club and the Genesee County Table Toppers, net receipts will be turned over for use among tornado victims. Two of the 10 boxers will throw punches for free, the others will work under reduced charges, there will be no free tickets, the sponsors and Matchmaker Julius Piazza, of Detroit, will accept no remuneration for their efforts.

While Piazza announces that "all four eight-round bouts are worthy of top posting," the real headliner of course, will be supplied by Al Andrews, the Superior, Wis., middleweight, and Eddie Simms, the Chicago puncher. Andrews has twice beaten Pat Lowery, in TV contests, while Simms is rated as a coming youngster of real promise.

They'll face rugged competition for fan favor, however, in another eight which pits King Solomon, the Jewish middleweight from Chicago, and Lou Barry, of Detroit. Solomon has been the No. 1 gate attraction at Rainbow Gardens in his home city and will be making his first appearance in Michigan.

A third eight pairs Rocky Casille known as the "Blue Island Express," and James J. Cox the seasoned Levelland, Tex., welterweight. Casille a hard puncher has scored 19 victories In 21 starts. Cox should test him to the limit, having fought Billy Graham, the New York welterweight title contender, Johnny 'Red' DeFazio and Ted 'Tiger' Weems among.others.

A rematch of young heavies will supply the fourth eight-rounder It brings together Toxie Hall, of Chicago, and George Powell, of Detroit. This will be the pair's fourth get together. The last one, staged at Motor City Arena in Detroit and nationally televised, brought mail from various parts of the country calling it one of the best heavyweight scraps of the year.

The show opening with a four-rounder will start at 9 o'clock so as not to conflict with Monday night shopping hours.

The two boxers who fight for nothing are Casille and Solomon. The two are managed by Jack Begun, and he has notified Bob Kerner, president of the Flint Boxing, that "I will absorb the expenses of the two boys and myself as an offering to Flint's relief fund."

Picture caption
BOXES HERE - Al Andrews, above, popular Superior, Wis., middleweight, will be in Flint next Monday to participate in the tornado relief fund show at the IMA auditorium. He will tangle with Eddie Simms, of Chicago, in one of four eight-round scraps. Heading a show in Saginaw last week, Andrews attracted more than 5,000 fans, most of whom had watched him in televised contests.

The Clifford family previously resided in Burton township before moving into the ill-fated Beecher area. When the tornado had passed, their home was gone and three-year old son David Jr. was dead.

A veteran of World War II, Clifford had been a member of Clark-Durocher American Legion Post 456 before moving to the West Coldwater address. When the post and auxiliary heard of their plight, they decided to do their bit in aiding David, his wife, Dorothy, and son, Stephen.

Through public solicitations, the post and auxiliary raised more than $300 and added $234 from their welfare fund accumulated in their annual sale of poppies, Oakley-Traynor Post 64 auxiliary unit added $10 more. This Sunday a potluck picnic will be held at the post's grounds on S. Belsay road between Lippincott and Atherton roads. The only price to attend is a useful household utensil for the Clifford family's future home.

The tornado, which took more than 100 lives and injured 500 others, will be the greatest single disaster in America which has ever been subjected to such intensive research, assording to R. L. Gorden, special consultant from the Disaster Study Project of the National Opinion Research Center.

The study will have two objectives, according to Dr. Charles P. Loomis, director of the Social Research Service at M. S. C. He said these are "the advancement of scientific knowledge about human behavior under catastrophic conditions, and reconstruction of an accurate picture of the work of people and organizations in alleviating the tornado's effects."

The study will be conducted by the Social Research Service under sponsorship of the M. S. C. Continuing Education Service, of which Dr. Edgar Harden is director. The research findings will be made available to the many directly concerned groups which make use of the on-campus training programs of the Continuing Education Service.

The American Red Cross, the Michigan State police, the National Civil Defense administration, the Salvation Army and others have recognized the need, for the survey and have requested the study's findings, Dr. Loomis said.

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The youngsters, all residents of the Menominee street neighborhood, presented a talent revue, including dancing, singing and baton twirling, for the benefit of tornado victims.

Yesterday, Jane Remender, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Remender, 3304 Menominee. and Barbara Berry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Berry, 3321 Menominee, presented the proceeds to the Red Feather fund.

Jane was master of ceremonies for the show, which was held at the Berry home. The other girls participating in the revue were: Francis Berry, Susan Kvasnick, Sharon Gray, Marsha, Joanne, Susan and Rosemary McLone, Lorraine Lahti, Nancy Boruchi, Elaine Cherneski, Dorothy Polakiewicz and Judy Clute.

Admission was five cents for those under eight years old, and 10 cents for all others. A collection for the tornado fund swelled the total.

Exact figures will not be available for a day or so, it was said, due to a final checkup on expenses and reports on ticket sales.

The fight card attracted a paid crowd of 2,884 persons, who contributed a total of $6,441,

Of this figure, the federal tax of $1,230.00 was waived and officials last night were waiting for a ruling from Attorney General Frank Millard on whether a state tax of $615.30 can also be waived.

An additional check of more than $400 was presented from proceeds of a wrestling show in Detroit earlier this week.

In the main bout, Al Andrews of Superior, Wis., defeated Eddie Simms, of Chicago, in eight rounds. Andrews weighed 157 ½, Simms 161 ½ . Results of other bouts:
King Solomon, Chicago, defeated Lew Berry, 160, Detroit; in eight; Ray Edwards, 145, Detroit, out-pointed George Carpenter, 155, Detroit; and Gus Rubicini, 159, Toronto, won the nod over Billy Simms, 160, Detroit

Rocky Cassilo, 147, Chicago, kayoed Jimmy Cox. 144, Levelland, Tex., in the fourth round.

All future disbursements win be made from the national headquarters. Local merchants have been advised of this, Potter said.

Some orders that were issued by the Red Cross have riot been completed as yet, for logical reasons, but all special disaster personnel sent from national Red Cross headquarters has departed, Potter explained
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Total commitments of the Red Cross for the disaster area in this county to date total $491,479. Medical commitments are surveyed every three months until closed. Potter said.

Potter gave this breakdown of the total figure. Emergency care in providing food, clothing, and bedding immediately after the disaster amounted to $15,763. Food, clothing and rents took $68,027.86.
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Building and repairs, including, materials and labor when necessary, accounted for $110.374, while furniture, fixtures and appliances cost $101,921.

Hospitalization and nursing to date have cost $89,187, and $6,205 has been expended for occupational training and tools.

M. F. Borgman, superintendent of colonial Homes and recently appointed chairman of the Home Construction Tornado Advisory committee by Mayor Donald W. Riegle advanced several ideas to facilitate the two-day building program.

Borgman said a big help would be identification of the wrecked homes by the owners. He asked that each lot in the area be identified by house numbers, street, owner's name and where they or survivors can be reached by phone. Borgman said the information would hasten the pre-building canvass greatly.

The object of the building program is to provide volunteer labor for any construction needed by the tornado victims. Although rebuilding of 100 homes is impossible during the two days, Borgman said, as much building as possible will be attempted.

Labor and advice only will be offered. The tornado families are to provide materials and plans for the proposed building.

Supervision of the volunteer workers will be provided by the AFL Flint Building Trades council.

For information regarding labor and to register for work, volunteers should call the Building Trades council at 9-3301, the City Manager at 9-8638 or Borgman at 8-1112.

Good Luck, Tom

With mingled emotions the News-Advertiser greets the appointment of City Hall reporter Tom Kay to the post of administrative assistant to City Manager Herm Young.

Tom joined the N.A staff in 1948, fresh from Michigan State college and the Marines. He was a bit more carefree in those days, a bit more inclined to "have one with the boys" and all that.

Now 28 years old, a faithful husband and a doting father, he is embarking on a new - though not unfamiliar - path. We hope he keeps as sharp an eye on the City Commission for Herm as he always did for us.

We'll certainly be watching him more closely than before.

Needs a Ladder

A cornstalk 10 feet four inches tall is growing in the garden of Aide Rondeau, 3717 Beecher. The corn is known as Aunt Mary's sweet corn variety and this is the second year for the crop. Rondeau reports that in his two rows of corn the stalks have an average height of more than nine feet.

Off-Year Plans

Democratic County Chairman James P, Barkey and State Central Committeeman George Stevens will attend the special Dem organizational meeting called by National Chairman Stephen A. Mitchell for Sept. 14 and 15 in Chicago. Barkey says he expects new rules governing future national conventions to develop from the conferences.

Willing and Able

When an oldster of 78 years signs up to work as a helper at the Tornado Building Bee this Saturday and Sunday, it puts a large host of middle-aged youngsters to shame. Even more surprising is the fact that the oldster is a multi-millionaire, well known for his philanthropies. The man is none other than Charles Stewart Mott, known to many as "Mr. Flint." He filled out a card at yesterday's Civitan club luncheon.

Pumpkins In August

The Civitan club has decided that its annual Halloween party for children will be presented at Atwood stadium this year instead of the IMA auditorium; where it was held in former years. The affair will be held Friday afternoon, Oct. 30, and a costume parade and prizes are on the program. A street dance has been planned by the club for teenagers that same evening.

Red Dog Tag

An identification tag thrown away by a Chinese Red prisoner of. war in the process of repatriation has been sent to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rogers, 1712 Neilson, by their son, Pfc. Virgil L. Rogers. Stationed at Freedom Village, Korea, in "Operation Big Switch." Pfc. Rogers has been assisting in the repatriation process. He is a member of the 633rd Engineering company.

M. F, Borgman, general chairman of the two-day Beecher building bee, said yesterday that only 2,277 volunteer workers had signed up to assist in rebuilding homes of tornado victims.

"We need many more volunteers," Borgman stated. "Of course, we expect many more to report to the area Saturday morning, but the way It looks now, only about 3,000 will register in advance."

He explained that "work could be done on each of the 186 projects in the tornado area even if the total were not to reach the quota of 5,000 to 7,000.

"Each project would have help," he pointed out, "but not as much as we have planned or would like."

With members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Business Girls association and local service clubs working afternoons and evenings to assign volunteers, Borgman said he expected a smooth-running operation.

"Right now our greatest need is for experienced carpenters, to serve as project foremen," he explained. "We can use more bricklayers, too."

He asked carpenters to volunteer their services by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 2-7101.

Bergman added that other interested persons still may volunteer by calling the Telephone Answering Service at 4-8665, or by registering Saturday or Sunday at the headquarters tent in the Beecher district.

"We're hoping many workers will just come out during the two days," he said, "and we only ask that they register so that they can be assigned to a project.

"Registering also covers them with insurance." he pointed out.

He also requested that volunteers who have not been assigned to projects call at the headquarters tent Saturday to receive those assignments. "'There is a great deal to be done out there," Borgman said, "and we want to do as much of it as we possibly can. These people need help, and we want to give it.

"The more workers that turn I out, the more of a boost we can give the people in trying, to get going again."

Borgman emphasized that lunches and coffee will b served to workers.

Such were the sentiments expressed at last night's City Commission meeting by Mayor Donald W. Riegle in an open letter of thanks to everyone who contributed time and energy to make such a tremendous success of "Operation Tornado."

The final box score: 86 homes completed from the foundation up and work well toward completion on 107 others.

"I find that I did not appreciate the full extent to which so many willing persons and organizations would go to help rehabilitate our disaster area," the Mayor said.

"The number of those who responded so splendidly is so great that, unfortunately, individual recognition is almost impossible. I wish to take this means of expressing to each group and to each person…who participated in the greatest building bee in history, my personal thanks as well as the gratitude and appreciation of all our citizens."

Riegle's letter, however, is not the end of work in the stricken area. Many "Operation Tornado" volunteers formed fast
friendships during their two days of work and have taken personal interest in certain homes. They have promised the owners that they will return on their own time to help finish the job.

And the national recognition afforded the great exhibition of generosity in the form of newsreel, radio and press coverage appeared on its way toward being extended.

It was learned yesterday that The Junior Chamber of Commerce through one of its members, will nominate Flint for the annual National Municipal League and Look Magazine All American City award.

The awards are made on the basis of civic improvements or reforms resulting from coordinated action by groups of citizens.

The recognition is being sought, it was explained, as a tribute and deserved reward to the volunteers of "Operation Tornado," who wrote a new chapter in the history of good will.