The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-14
BLrsSARD IN WASHINGTON.


Coolest weather on Record.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-A blizzard prevails
In Washington and business ls practically at
standstill. The famous storm OF March IL,
1888, was more violent, but It's ehects were no
more disastrous than those OF the present
one. 1t is the elimination Of n storm that be-
gan on Saturday night. the 4th inst. On Sun
day morning, the 9TH inst. when the snow
ceased falling there we're ga inches on the
ground. Since then there have been nine
distinct snowfalls, the present one having con-
tinued since { o'clock Saturday afternoon
asst. At 10 O'Clock the total fall Tor the nine
days amounted to twenty-eiRht inches. The
snow has been accompanied by tho coolest
weather ever known in Washington, Ia be-
low zero having been reached on Saturday
morning. hut until II late hour last night the
streets had been kept fairly we'll opened and
ordinary business was transacted without
great difficulty. Sholtly'a'ter midnight a fierce
wind set In from the northwest and the light
snow filed the streets and defed the Efforts OF
electric and cable snowplouEhs 20 dlslodge it.
For the frat time the cara we're unable TO make
their trips this morning. and the depth OF snow
in the roadways made 1t almost impossible to
use other vehicles. The only evidence Of life
on the streets. aside from the whirling. drift
Ing snow. were unfortunate pedestrians COM
PEELED to face the storm and a few delivery
wagons.
The Capitol is two or three miles from the
residences and hotels OF most OF the members.
so that the attendance upon the sessions OF
Congress to-day In the absence Of the usual
modes Of conveyance was light. Representa-
tives who succeeded in reaching the House
went first to the weather map In the corridor
back OF tho Speakers Chair to learn the condi-
lions at their homes. Great surprise aud much
regret was expressed at the extent and In
t%ensity, OF the storm. The snow on the Capi:
the light. requirinG. the use Of the full electric
lighting power OF the Capitol.
ment managed. to get to their desks in car:
riages and s!eiGhs. but some OF them, out OF
their respective departments, Like other peo-
pie. they wore picturesque costumes that
but n SnSi,y Spr salrsd' to care about Appear:
ances. Army officers on duty at the Mar De
ets an%pai flahe eds 9S6 81 . fhs t the7 had aH %of elO in
the Northwest. and trudged to the department
through drifts up to their asmpitsi There was
Lieut.. Maier. ii naval officer on duty at the
Naval Observatory, made the most remarka-
bic trip yet reported t. the Army and Navy
Club, He has charge of the clocks by which
IS gagged. This was the day to set the clocks
and Lieut.. Maier was Obliged 70 get to the OBJ
could not get a vehicle, and started out on foot
in the face Of a, northwest gale; Naval OIL
4 number Of, DEPARTMENT clerks were frost
bitten IN getting to work, and some:ot chem
were so Obliged If t. 9h remain sn.ne IN thei Of G an t&s al. day
short. handed, and comparatively little work
street railway traffic. the President Issued an
executive order closing the depar,tments at z
the employees to reach home before dark. In
the Treasury Department tho clerks and other
employees were permitted to leave In the fore
The Capitol building presented a remarkably
lee. The snow shut out the light from the
House and SENATE 4 and made the interior OF
f Reed T f5Snd It hn I'M possiD Ds5s 70 set ssfq tn the SaR spitSi.
and. belle wing that a great many member
would be in the same f}S :, he h t11tie ; aoHsidd that f
day. aud the House. after transacting some
routine business, adjourned.
White House. Senator Mcmillan and ex.Gov.
Rich Of Michigan reached there in q sleigh. It
town within the memory OF the oldest en-
ployee OF the mansion.
entertained. The vessels of the Norfolk
" otba Ti2s line 70. are re MAKING 7. Han u reg 1F H5aF. F y m1 Ggs
'0 TeIesrram nissiGr%aecc eiVed at the War Department
t to-day rfporte Ios sh iE. the bsl 3s~p 2sFe s5s at At A sa-
vannah, Ga. - below. The officials believe
that these statements are incorrect: United
The most serious aspect Of the storm is the
effect upon the food market. and unless there
i partls spf fam in lst At least tsS" vii Rf. ensue f in Wasting,
ton; Already the local supply Of fresh yege-
s .ss. has has inc Gsss du 50 on Ssr ae cent sh' s sFlG hat at 6 Hyss
come to Washington since last Monday have
been brought by rail from Baltimore. whose
merchants laid in q supply: The exhaustion
OF the present stock Is a matter OF only a day or
mer not OF the best quality:
Legislation at the Capitol today was con
Quoted under depressing Influences, the
urantpst Of which Wa9 the pprtinapity and Der-
~sistence with which the blizzard ragged around
ously since 4 o'clock on Saturday Afternoon. and
when Congress met there were from four TO six
feet Of snow on the roof Of the Capitol. a
dent from its weight. Assistant Architect
Woods cndenvored to secure a force OF
two hundred lap9rers to clean the roof and
ing the building. but was abb" TO get only four
men. District i%ahoring men are not accus;
toned to such weather conditi9ns ana refused
OF the difficulties under which the officials la
bored, expressed surprise and indignation that
the snow had not been cleared from the walks
In the Capitol grounds prior TO the hour Of the
assembling OF Congress-,
Senator'S. ever watchful for their own com :
fort. notified Sergeant-ut-Arms Bright that
carriages must be procured Tor them at the
hour OF ADJOURNMENT, Col. Bright had a bad
quarter OF an hour while engaged in the effort
an establishment usually ready 10 turn out
nifty or sixty, carriages, within an hour in
formed tho Colonel that he had not sent q vehi-
declining to face the storm. Finally an ar
rangement was made to curry the Senators
teams attached. the only means OF conveyance
that could be secured.
! BUSINESS SUSPENDED ~ II SOUTH.
Cotton Factories, Iron Works and Schools
t..l N.ar u'nn.na vxI..