Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-28
THE THREATENED FLOOD.
The Action Taken at the FOrdl.s Oper,
House Meeting and Its Results So Far

At the meeting at Ford's Opera house yester-
day afternoon, to take some action to avert
damage by flood, which is feared when the ice
In the river breaks, . committee composed of
Messrs. James L. Barbour, N. II. Shea, L. A.
Littiefield, E. D. Hartley and r. b. Tenney, was
appointed to wait upon the Commissioners and
urge the use Of the emergency fund in clearing
the river, and in the event of failing to secure
such action by the Commissioners, to collect
money, and employ tugs or other means to
break the ice.
The following amounts were immediately
subscribed to be used in case the Commissioners
did not consent to expanding the emergency
sio f Asneey Son. Con- 49, F. C. Ross
+: b. Hartley, $40; E: G. Wheeler, $40: j. 7.
S1O r. Cohen, $40; John A. Baker, $40: W. II.
heimer. SIS; E. B. Barnum & Co, $40; Benson
c. Ergood Co., $40; Independent Ice COM
pany, S25; r. b. Taylor, SO; G; 81. Parker.
Poole ca So s1S w R Rarns[ 49,
Geo. Holmes, So; Geo. w. Cochran & Co.. SO:
Beyers Loving, So Browning Middleton,
N. Willis, $40. The Washington steamboat
company offered the use of a steamer
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE COMMISSIONERS.
Subsequently the committee appointed waited
upon the District Commissioners and urged
that they take immediate action to clear the
river. Mr. EdmOnds said that the Commission
efs would be at once notified when the ice
broke up at Harpers Ferry.
Mr.. Webb said that 1t would be impossible
for the Commissioners to draw upon the emer-
gency fund unless it was shown conciusively
that the condition of the river warranted it.
Mr. Hartley said that in case of an emergency
it would be difficult to procure a tug and crew
to clear the channel OF ice, and therefore he
thought it advisable to engage a vessel at once
At his suggestion the Commissioners agreed to
ask the Secretary of the Navy if he would not
place at their disposal two government tugs
and suitable crew for each, SO that help would
be at once available In case OF an emergency.
The Commissioners have directed Harbor-
master Sutton to exercise due vigilance and to
notify them of any impending danger. The
Commissioners have further arranged with the
signal office to receive hourly dispatches from
Harper's Ferry. Fish Inspector Gwynn Harris
has been ordered to have tugs in readiness to
break the Ice If an emergency arises
note has been received by the Commission
ers from Mr.. John III. Magruder, 1417 New
York avenue, asking If the Commissioners can
possibly assist in the opening of the Potomac
river for navigation, and stating that he has
upon steamers from Boston and New York
weeks.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT PROMISES TUG
BOAT.
The District Commissioners this morning
visited Secretary Of the Navy Whitney, at his
Office in the Navy department, in accordance
with the arrangements made with the mer-
aid be offered them in breaking up the ice in
the Potomac river. The Secretary listened to
the description of the situation made to him.
and said the department would send promptly
q tug boat all equipped and fixed for that duty
and guard the city from danger.