The times., 1899-02-17

up through the sewers and inundating the
lowlands in the heart of the city.
This happened in the year 1877 and again
in 1881. when the freshet itself was lot
high but an ice gorge formed at the bridge.
destroying three Of its spans and delusing
Washington. IN 1889 when the river was
again abnormally swollen. the Analostan
boathouse was swept from its foundations
and carried down the river with its con-
tents TO the Long Bridge. where it was de
mOlished. Boats. barges and scows hoated
as far as the bridge. where they ac-
cumulated and made the barrier all the
mere impossible. A schooner was toFh
from its wharf i'm Georgetown and bridge
sixty feet long fioated down the river, both
TO lodge against the north side OF the
bridge
The Present Conditions.
Conditions are now more favorable for
food than at any time before or since the
former disasters. The heavy rainfall nj
Yesterday served TO melt much II 'he
snow along the river banks and the cX-
pectation is that the water will rise rapidly.
Business men along Pennsylvania and
Louisiana Avenue and other low dior
oughfares have even gone 50 far as TO
make arrangements for the storage of ma
chiuery and stock. so that their goods nay
be removed to high quarters as soon as
the warning comes.
\ committee consisting of Messrs Frank
Hume, =. H. Shea. and T. 2. May, repre-
senting the business community, called
upon the District Commissioners yesterday
for the purpose of suggesting that the pow
crful screw steamers of the Washington
and Norfolk Steamboat Company be en-
ployed to assist in breaking the ice on the
river. They also informed the COmmis-
sioners that they did not believe that the
seven small tugs which have already been
engaged to break the ice are powerful
enough for the work
To Blow Up Long bridge.
The delegation endeavored to press upon
the minds CT the Commissioners the fact
that the Long Bridge is not only menace
TO the city, but that steps should be taken
10 blow up the structure in the event OF
its blocking the ice this time 1t was
stated that under existing conditions in
calculable damage would not only result
10 property, but many lives would un-
doubtedly be lost.
The delegation also visited the War De
partment and conferred with Secretary AL
ger and General Wilson, Chief OF Engineers
and informed them of the danger which
confronts the business community. They
sought 10 know whether steps could not bs
taken to blow up the Long Bridge with dy-
Mantle as soon as il is evident that ii Is
endangering the city. 1t is held that the
War Department has power to direct that
he bridge be destroyed in an emergency,
just as any constituted authority has pow
er to destroy buildings in the path of a
fire to save surrounding property. The
District Commissioners and the War De
partment officials signiied willingness tC
consider the matter and take the proper
steps when the emergency arrives.
Lon;:-SuTcrinS Washington.
In common with other cities, long -suf-
fering Washington was yesterday forced
10 submit TO abnormal weather condition.
OF the most disagreeable nature two
weeks of almost constant snow would hav,
been enough TO arouse the peoples ire ha,
not zero temperature and blizzard com,
TO cooi the public temper. But wher
Washington awoke yesterday morning an(
found the skies darkened with heavy
clouds and rain pouring down in torrent.
ii was too much. Rain fell necessarily
freezing as it met the ground. Walking
was dangerous on account Of the slippery
streets. Instead OF crossing embankment
and hills as on Monday and Tuesday th'
public. by way of variety, was forced Il
wade through knee-deep puddles of watel
at almost every crossing. This water wa:
like ice and it would not be surprising
should a remarkable increase in the dealt
rate result
Streets were in a most deplorable condi
tion. The Street Cleaning Department wa
prevented from working and the little tina
had already been accomplished was evi
dent only in partly open cutters and cross
ings The central roadway of each thor
oughfare was either vast sea of slush o
long stretch OF water. The streets occu
pied by rapid transit lines only served a
channels for water from melting sno'
banks and the heavy precipitation of tn
day. Street car traffic suffered immensel
and no attempt was made TO run on sched
ule time.
The Dny's Discomforts.
The slippery condition OF the streets in
oident TO the freezing of the rain cause
numerous falls. and many fractures wer
treated at the various hospitals. Busines
was seriously crippled. and draymen in tn
their wagons and put to work removin
snow and ice from the vicinity OF busines
houses.
This was done to prevent the water over
flowing into cellars and damaging goods.
In the vicinity of the Pennsylvania Rail
way station the condition of the street
is miserable. A long embankment of SEQ
extends along the northern side of
Street opposite the station. AS the wate
descended from the roofs it failed to fin
an outlet along the hidden cutters an
consequently flowed into the cellars
many Of the buildings along the north sid
Of the street.
Vigorous efforts are being made by tf
District Commissioners TO open the count
roads, and an arrangement is being mao
whereby soldiers from Fort Myer may /
utilized TO open some of the roads.
The Georgetown and Tenleytown RAJ
way has succeeded in opening one traC
from the power house to the N Street te
minus of the line. 4 large force of me
was al work yesterday clearing the traC
from the power house north TO Ien:ey
town. The railroad officials say that ca
viii run from end to end of the line t,
day