The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-14
NEW YORK IN THE SAME FIX
GREAT DISTRESS AMONG THE POOR
PEOPLE or THE BIG CITY.
Philadelphia Also Locked in the EN-
brace of the Terrible stOrm-No
Trains on the Leading Railways.

A
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S-With two inches
less than three feet of snow on a level and
the mercury lowering constantly near zero
the Capitol is in the grasp of the most
severe blizzard in it's history The snow
fall, which began on Saturday evening, has
continued without cessation, the official
! measurement in fifty hours being twenty
inches on top Of the heavy fall of the few
days preceding. Driven by a high northwest
wind it has drifted in banks of from five
to eight feet in depth, suspending all traffic,
tieing up the street-car lines, cutting off the
city from all outside communication by rail
and causing untold suffering among the
poor
During the forenoon the car lines made
heroic efforts to maintain a service, but by
12 o'clock practically every line in the city
was forced TO abandon the attempt. AS the
day wore on the storm increased in severity
and the serious side of the situation began
to manifest itself. Nearly all the retail
business houses closed down and dismissed
their clerks. Delivery wagons which had
ventured out on their routes were in numer-
Gus instances abandoned in the streets, the
drivers unhitching their horses and making
for shelter from the biting blasts of wind
driven snow.
At the Capitol neither House of Congress
had a quorum and only handful of clerks
put in appearance at the various executive
departments, all of which closed early dis
missing their forces. At the City Hall the
same conditions prevailed and no courts
were held, while public schools made no
attempt to hold sessions, the few pupils who
reached the buildings being promptly sent
M.
morrow.
Towards afternoon when the railroad
companies were forced to admit that their
traffic was practically abandoned the city
was forced to the realization that famine
of coal and provisions was impending The
price Of everything in the eating line went
soaring skyward. At the market prices
were advanced from % to 100 per cent when
the scantiness Of the supply and immensity
OF demand became manifest. Orders from
nearby towns poured in and gave fresh
impetus to the advance The same condi-
tions apply to the coal supply, which is
perilousy slender The black diamonds are
being sold grudgingly by the bushel and
dealers say the stock on hand is exceedingly
limited while railroad conditions make the
outlook for shipments into the city very
gloomy. 1t was announced late in the aft
eInoon that the gas supply was being rapid
~ exhausted from the reserve tanks and
the gas company's supply of coal was so
slender that it would have to be husbanded
most carefully. Consequently the pressure
was reduced. Many of the street lamps
were not lighted. The electric-Iighting com
panies, however, as yet are maintaining
service.
THE POOR SUFFERING.
h7fN t.
homes If the well-to-do. the police report
1he condition of the really poor, particularly
the large colored population, is pitifu in the
extreme Every effort is being made by the
authorities and charitable societies to ale
viate the suffering. but owing to the terrible
weather conditions but little can be accom-
plished. There has not been during the day
q moments cessation OF the snowfall and
with the gale prevailing tonight it is dang
erous for any one but strong man to ven
ture out. Many persons have been overcome
by the cold, but no fatalities have been re-
ported within the city limits 1t is feared.
however, that there has been loss of life in
the adjacent country.
At nightfaH the streets We're deserted by
both pedestrians and teams. The drifting
snow has rendered most of the avenues and
uptown streets impossible and four horses
to single wagons endeavoring to break
through with supplies, is a common sight.
In many instances pack horses have been
resorted to and all day they could be seen
struggling under double burdens of provi-
sions or sacks of coal Teegraphic and tele-
phonic communications has not, however.
been seriously interferred with. as the dry
snow does not weight the wires.
Tonight all entertainments have practi
astf ,r,f,-
the largest theaters did not open their doors
and at those houses where performances
were held only a handful of people gath
cred
one of the most serious phases of the
whole situation is the danger of fires. The
fire department is rendered practically use
less by reason of the deep snow and the
low water pressure. The Potomac river is
frozen from its source to Point Lookout
where 1t empties into the Chesapeake. The
Ice varies from ten 70 twelve inches in
thickness and navigation has been sus-
pended. The Alexandria ferries were forced
TO abandon their trips some days ago and
tonight the Norfolk boat did not attempt
the passage.
Business in the departments was al
most at a standstill, less than half the force
reporting. At noon the Treasury Depart
ment dismissed the clerks and other en-
pioyes for the day and other departments.
It was expected. would follow suit
The railway mail service is paraIyzed bv
the storm and the mails are at standstnl
throughout the Atlantic region. No through
train has arrived here from the West over
the Pennsylvania road during the day and
only one over the Baltimore & Ohio. train
NO. 10 from Pittsbnrg, due here at $40 this
morning. II arrived at / O'clock this after
noon. All others on the latter line were