The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-14
Is almost exhausted.

WASHINGTON. Feb. iS.-Dr!ven by
higa northwest wind. TIE snow has drifted
in banks % from five 20 eight feet IN
depth. suspendIng ali traffic. tying up the
street car lines. cutting OF ;he city from
all outside communication by rail. and
causing untold suffering among the poor.
By noon every street car line In the city
had been forced 20 suspend operations.
Nearly all the retail business houses closed
down and dismissed their clerks
Delivery wagons which ventured out "a
their routes were In numerous instances
abandoned in the streets, the drivers un-
hitchiug their horses and making for shell
ter from the biting blasts.
At the capitol neither house Of congress
had a quorum. and only a handful OF clerks
put in an appearance at the various cS-
ecltlva departments, al of which closed
carly. disunszinE their forces. At the city
han the same conditions prevailed. and 10
courts were held. while public schools made
ne attempt 10 hold sessions. the few pupils
who reached tie building being promptly
sent hcme. The schools will remain closed
tomorrow.
Famine in Coal aud Provisions.
companies were forced 10 admit that their
traffic vas practically abandoned. the city
was forced 20 the realization that a famine
Of coal and provisions was impending. The
price Of everything in the eating line went
soaring skyward NJ the markets prices
were advanced from p 20 100 psr cent.
when the scautness of the supply and scar
city became manifest. orders from near
by towns poured In. and gave fresh I'M
rctus ia the advance. The same conditions
apply 10 the coal supply. which Is peril
ouslv scarce Coal Is being sold BY the
hushci. and the stock an hand is exceed
ngly limited whie railway conditions
make the outlook for shipments into the
city very gloomy.
It was announced this afternoon that the
gas supply vas being rapidly exhausted
from the reserve tanks, a8d the gas COM
pany's supply - coal was 50 slender that
/; ~ 5uia have 70 he huzbanded most care
fully Consequently the pressure was re-
dncoa Many ~ the street lamps were not
lighted.
The electric lighting companies. however.
are vet maintaining a service.
Extreme Suffering Among the Poor.
The police report that the conditions ~
tho really poor. particularly the large col
ored population. Is pitiful IN the extreme.
Every effort is being made hy The hutAoTi-
tSes ard charitable associations 20 alleyi-
ate the suffering. tut owing 20 tAe terri
hle weather conditions hut uttie can Be
srcaual!saed There has n3I baea during
thA day a moments cfss!on of ths snow
fat and rrtth the gale prevailing tonight
!, 6 dangerous for anyone but strong
man 80 venture OUT. Many persons have
been overcome Nv she cold. hUt no fa'ali-
ttss have been reported within tbs clIy
I,ia!ts.
7rnlaat all entertainments have prao-
Ideally heen given up of p9estIonsf. Two
e., ,ne lafgest fheateFs Git not opon their
doors.
Fv~rsshIug - Demosalisrd.
One u tae s4oss serious phases Is ths
danger sryrn sres. The 42e department
Is rendered gra-ttea}.y useiess by reassan
- ,ne Be@p smw and the saw sater
ssrvs.sfre nh4eo. ln h.gher points Of tHs
c.ty has saBe; entirely.
Tae Potomac ls frozen from l,s south
sde 81 Pout Lookout. where Il enpiles
.r.to the C'}sasapf faEe.
Tssa railway -na.f service r. 6eroofalize5
Nc threega trains arrived here from the
wr oyer ths Pennsylvania sos5. ana
oujs sre oveT ,ae EaliiBa~e 4 OsAa.
Tae on5Y otss baaaa3 train started on -
f'cf.f Wanna was one exfra p25in< oat
a. 50 IRIS af1ernoan - fhe Ezss'
Oa the F,e3s.rr4e1 & pal3 oaiy tao
isras4ga trains arrived frera sAe Tast
~ Chesapeake z Oa}s ifa5ns were aasn-
soasa ara ,bevs aere ~ ,rHias e'ther
ssai 4H or arriving seer the sou:seta
4 AtgAus.e Coa~s i.pe
The Capitol Almost Deserted
Tfss sazzars caase3 practically IS s.ls~
qe..@soa - .s4*.gsess a. tie h04sa s4aAy.