, 1873-01-24
a Complete Embargo on Rail-.
road Travel,
CHlCAC0:

iestorda5 storm is destined to occupy con-
spicuous place in tue annals of meteorology. The
Oldest lnhabitant can hardly find fellow to it.
The temperature Was comparatively mild, but
the wind took the SNOW everywhere. No place
was secure from it. It penetrated the most care
fully constructed window-casings, and sifted into
street cars and omnibuses in such abundance
that the shiToring traveller scarcely knew wheth-
e1 or not he was under cover. The floors Of all
public conveyances we're OF t1odden SNOW, most
unsrateful to tho feet OF the occupants, and the
seats vera in many cases as white as a
fleece. Unhappy WAS tho passenger who
sat near d broken window-and there
are not few in tho omaibuses
Of tho West 6ide-his hair turned gray as speedi-
II as that OF the Prisoner Of Chillon, which
"turned white in q single night" The West
Side stages ran with regularity all day, and did
thriving business in the absence OF successful
competition. The West Side Street Railroad
Company did thoir duty nobly, but it Was hard
striving with the elements. On Madison street
force OF several hundred men Was kept busy
all day, ahovelling and sweeping from morning
until night, only to zee thoir work obliterated
almost as fast as it WAS done. 4 detail of men
was necessarily employed on every block, and
almost on eye1y rod of track, from State street
to Western avenue. Tho cars ran with four
horses, and the snow-plows we're continually in
motion, but the trips were infrequent, and got
further and further between as the day wnncd.
They were always filed, for, although there
we're few people upon the streets, every ono
rode who could raise nickel, rather than face
the binding storm even Tor the length Of d
square. That which was done on Madison street
WAS also done on Randolph street. and, to q less
extent, upon the less important West Side lines.
On the South Side, the trouble in keeping the
tracks clear WAS even greater. The Indiana
avenue cars made few trips after dinner,
md those on Cottage Grove avenue were
in much trouble. There did not seem to
be the same diligence in keeping
the track clear as WAS used on Madison
street. AS the night closed in the fow cara run
ming we're filed even to the steps with anxious
wayfayers, eager to reach their distant homes,
and the accommodations being limited, thou
sands had to walk who were unaccuBtomed to
such hardship. Doubling the horses seemed to
make very little difference with the rate of pro-
gress. Tho SHOW packed closely about the rail
as 1t fell, and it difficult to keep the car on
the track.
- THE NORTH SIDE CARS.
The North Side Street Railway Company en-
deayored to accommodate it's numerous patrons
us much as possible under the circumstances,
and was successful to great extent. Immedi-
ately after the storm set in the full force OF
snow-plows WAS p1nced upon the trucks, and
kept steadily at work until Into in the evening.
With their aid the rails were kept toll
crably FREQ from obstructions, and d little
more than half OF tho usual number
Of cars made trips with four horses. Regular
time could not bo made, as mntter Of course,
and the ehiTerfng, snow-covered crowds who
patiently waited for tho appearance Of car,
did not expect that it would, knowing full we'll
that Vol Turner WIS using every possible e1er-
ton to keep the limo running in some sort OF
shape. One more car On Chicago and Clybourn
avenues, which appears to pay better than any
OF the other North Side routes si;,ce the double
track WAS completed, would have been hailed
with considerable applause. It should DO UNDER
stood. however, that no grumblng Was indulged
in, because it con1dn't be had When the snow
ceases to fall, it is safe to say that the North
Division line will be in rs good, il not better,
condition than either of tho others, and will get
into usual running order Boomer.
THE STEAM RAILWAYS.
Yesterday the authority OF railWay officials
VAS entirely set at naught- Ihe Usual ease with
which they manage their various lines was
turned into trouble, and before nisht-fan most
Of them had surrendered their roads to Bo1eas
md his associates. In the morning no great
difficulty was apprehended, but subsequent
events proved that the strength Of the enemy
.wss not fully appreciated It Was not antici-
patcd that tho embargo on railroads would ez-
tend beyond freight trains, and at TIE IE1HuSE
reporters suggestion that perhaps PASSENGER
trains would be- included. Railway 6u-
re1intendents we're prompt to an
aver, that if their passenger travel
WAS stopped, it would only be after contest In
which Ill their available power would be uaod.
Such contest came, and all the forces which
railroad companies could summon we're hut toys
in tile hands of the raging storm. II farmers
could but harness the winds, and garner the
snow-Aakes, and secure. from them the poTor
they manifested yesterday and Inst night, they