Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-20
FEAR OF A FRESHET.
THE RIVER LikELYTo RISE RAPIDLY
WHEN THE ThAW COMES.
Effort to Open the strsam--No Advance In
Coal--continued Waste Of Water Like
Iy to Produce . Famine.

mometer yesterday went little above the
freezing point. Ats o'clock In the after
noon the temperature vas "a degrees
Fahrenheit. This change resulted in
slightly thswing the ice and snow. though
plenty of both still remain and are likely
to do so for some DAYS yet. There was
decided fall in the mercury last night. and
colder weather is predicted for to-day.
There is considerable apprehension that
with the thaw We may have o freshet.
There is a good deal of snow IN the noun
tains and all along the James-River Valley,
which, when it melts, will swell the stream
rapidly. There is further danger from the
possibility Of an ice-gorge. If this can be
avoided serious flood may be sverted.
WILL TRY TO BREAK A PASSAGE.
Chairman William II. Curtis, of the Com
mittee on Improvement OF James River,
was engaged yesterday seeing members OF
that body with reference to employing,
couple OF big tugs at Norfolk to break
passage up the stream within the next few
days. in order that the steamers may come
to this port. He feels confident that this
can be successfully done and the move:
ment is receiving the earnest approval OF
members of the committee.
Captain Curtis will probably go TO Nor
folk in this connection in day or two. 1t
will be remembered that this committee
at Its meeting on Wednesday authorized
the expenditure of $500 to prevent gorge.
WATER IN THE CITY.
The recent severe spell has had most
signal effect upon Richmond's water
supply. Many pipes have been frozen and
burst, though the number has been COM
paratively small when the frigid conditions
hn m rat q
30 weak tn lt water-takers in high sections
of the city whose pipes are IN good order
do not get their supply. Many bath
fixtures are frozen up.
Superintendent Boiling publishes card
in this mornings DISPATCH cautlonlng
water takers TO see that their engine-,and
range-boilers are filled. as the pressure ls
so low that the supply is likely to fall
short at anv moment.
The general condition of the city's sup
ply is not encouraging. AZ A. III. yester-
Marshall reservoir and feet In
the New. The pumps are in very
crippled condition, At the Old pump
house only five machines are at work
and they are only doing about halt duty.
At the upper station New pump-house)
the steam pump and all the water-power
pumps are at work. The latter are only
pumping about one third of their capacity
and have been much damaged by the ice.
1t is impossible TO repair the valves IN
these pumps just now on account OF back
water being in the pits. This is due TO an
ce-gorge IN the Richmond level of the
canal. Altogether about 100000 gallons
of water per day are being pumped now.
1t is most important that all waste should
be stopped If the citizens would avert q
famine. The pressure was slightly i'm
proved yesterday. 1t stood at pounds at
o'clock in the afternoon.
FROZEN GAs-MAINs.
Gas-consumers as we'll as water-takers
have experienced their share of the trOu-
bes from the recent severe weather.
Many exposed seryice-pipes have been
frozen, causing the lights TO burn badly or
not at all. AS result of this state of af-
fairs, Yesterday was not observed as holl-
day by the gas department. Complaints
on the part of citizens that their
pipes were out of order have re-
ceived prompt attention at the Gas
Inspectors Office. About dozen
men have been engaged for several DAYS
IN thawing out these mains. The city
bears the cost. and persons are only re-
quested to report their troubles in this
line at the office of the Inspector. About
thirty complaints were entered yesterday,
and many received immediate attention.
SUFFERING AMONG THE POOR.
There has. of course, been much suffer
ing among the poor. IL can be said, how
ever, that every case reported to the
ladies of the several charitable organi "a
tions looking after the needy has been
accorded all the relief that avail able means
would allow.
meeting of the LADIES' Auxiliary Of
Lee Camp yesterday afternoon the prlnci-
pal matter considered was the condition
of widow lady residing. with four. little
children, at the corner OF Second and
Byrd streets. IL was reported that this
family was entirely destitute. there not
even being in the house sufficient bedding
and furniture 10 keep them comfortable:
The auxiliary decided to send coal and
provisions enough to last the occupants
of this cheerless home a week, by which
time, II il hoped, some better arrangement
for their subsistence can be made. Fuel
and eatables were also dispensed to seve-
raj other poor families.
NO ADVANCE IN COAL.
A called meeting of the Coal Exchange
of Richmond was held IN the office of
Messrs. Gay & Lorraine yesterday at noon
to consider the question of advancing
prices. About sixteen dealers were present.
and it was reported that the Anthracite
rather scarce. There seems to be an
abundant supply of spllnt coal and of
wood.
After discussing the coal situation at
length, the exchange decided that. not
withstanding the fact that /; is costing
the dealers much more TO get their coal
now, the prices should not be raised.
This news will be received with gladness
by the people of the city. IL certainly
speaks well for Richmond coal merchants.
There was much sleighing and skating
yesterday. Many persons indtllged IN the
latter sport upon the placid James "
during the forenoon. On Wednesday
quite a party skated down below the moni-
tors aud back. The ice was fairly smooth.
The Old Dominion S GAMERS.
Owing to the frozen condition of James
river the Old Dominion Steamship Com
pany will handle It's freight for the present
by the West Point boats, which leave New
York every Tuesday, Thursday, and Satur-
day.
DINE WITH THEIR SECRETARY.