Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-16
REMOVAL OF SNOW
Joint Resolution Appropiriating So, 900
for the'sWork.
COMMISSIONERS Funds EXHAUSTED
Effect of the Storm on the Local
Railways
EFFECT ON POOR PEOPLE

EFFECT ON POOR PEOPLE
On motion of Mr.. Cannon. chairman of
| the committee on appropriations, the House
today passed joint resolution appropriate
| ing $1,000 to the Commissioners and 81 900
| to the officer in charge of buildings and
grounds in Washington, to meet the ex-
pense for the removal of snow and ice
| from the streets.
The storm yesterday and last night, which
rendered this appropriation necessary
caused almost as much discomfort to the
community the real blizzard of last
year, and the driving mixture of snow and
sleet made outdoor movements difficult and
often dangerous The storm occasioned
many difficulties to carriers of all descrip-
tions. and the street cars ran very rregu-
larly, stops and delays being frequent and
of long duration, especially on the subur-
ban lines. By noon today, however the
cars were running nearly on schedule time
on all the lines of both systems, and their
representatives breathed easily. They were
all of one opnion-that the snow was the
last of the season and that snow plows
could be housed until winter came again.
On the Brightwood Line.
Five or six of the cars on the Brightwood
line were blocked up together on the ave-
nue. near Soldiers Home road for a long
time. Some of the passengers took to the
street and walked home; Others including
several ladies from Takoma and Forrest
Glen, repaired to the residence of Mr. Jacob
Xander who very kindly served coffee and
made them otherwise comfortable until
morning. The motormen and. conductors of
Br!ghtwood cars deserve great credit for
their Industrious effort to clear the track
of snow in places SO that the cars could
secure a start. They worked with shovels
and brooms for some time, and the passen-
gers highly appreciated their earnest but
fruitless effort to enable them to reach
home Finally, when all effort had to be
abandoned, Mr.. Xander invited all of the
conductors and gripmen to his house. where
they were served about midnight with hot
coffee and sandwiches. Mr. Handlers kind
ness in this regard was much appreciated
The city awoke to see a bright sun shin
ing from a cloudless sky. and as the morn
Ing wore on its rays began to tell on the
snow. The thaw caused the mass to quick
ly become mushy first and then slushy, and
at street crossings everywhere the semi
liquid stuff was deep enough to assure wet
feet even to wearerS of rubbers.
By midday the conditions at the cross
ings; and especially on the busy thorough
fares, were the subject of general complaint,
and as the thawing continued the state of
affairs grew worse. Criticism was fully in
dulged in by those who believed it was the
duty Of the authorities to at least make
the crossings passab1e for. pedestrians. and
could exist in the nations capital city.
Effect on the Poor.
The agents of the uAssepated Charities
felt the effects of the storm in the increased
demand for fuel this morning, especially in
the outlying districts, where many poor
people gather their fuel from the public
dumps. While these dumps are covered
many of the very poor will have to be fur
lhshed their fuel by appropriations from the
The Citizens Relief Association has beer
hoping to get through this winter without
calling again upon the public for contr-
buttons, and if those who have not yet sent
in their usual contributions respond to the
letter of appeal sent them it is believed that
| sufficient will be receiyed to carry the work
through.
The snow has helped those poor families
that have men out of work in that it has
given employment to large number SHOW
cling snow.
Relief Needed in Georgetown.
There large increase upon the de-
| mands of the Georgetown branch Of the
Associated Charities. at 3041 o street. The
demands this morning were quite heavy,
and relief was extended wherever the cir
cumstances of the case required it.
In order to meet all emergencies, an ap-
peal was made to the people of the West
End for funds. The Georgetown office has
been far from self-sustan lining, and the bills
for relief for this section have been paid so
far with money subscribed in Washington.
Only very small amount has been re-
ceived locally due, it is believed, to the alb
sence of any extended cold weather, the
people who charitably inclined over
looking the necessities that might arise.
Action of the issioners.
Through the failure of Congress to pro-
vide them with the necessary funds, the
District Commissioners, while required by
law to remove the snow from the street
crossings and cutters in the city, are today
without dollar with which to have the
work DONE and unless the Senate shall ap-
prove the action of the House in appropri-
ating $1,000 there will be relief. The
last dollar of the appropriation for this
purpose was expended in connection with
the heavy snow storm of last month, and,
the 10th of that month, the Commissioners
invited the attention Of Congress, through
the House committee on appropriations, to
the matter, asking appropriation of
$4,000, to be made Immediately available, to
enable them to obey the law in the event
of 1t becoming again necessary during the
present season.
When 1t became apparent yesterday that
the storm then prevailing would result in
heavy fall of snow, Mr.. Warner Stutler, the
superintendent of the street cleaning de-
partment, under whose supervision such
work is done, went up to the Capitol for
the purpose of urging the House committee
on appropriations to act in the matter, no
action having been taken upon the Commits
sioners' request of last month for an addi-
tional appropriation.
Mr.. Stutler reported the result of his WIS.,
1t to the Commissioners, which was not en-
couraging, and they, it is understood, feel
ing that they had fully acquainted the
House committee appropriations with
the situation, decided to make no further
effort In the case. Such is the situation to-
day, and while the Commissioners very
much regret their inability to afford the
people of the District any relief, they,
nevertheless, are said to feel that they
have exhausted every effort to secure the
necessary funds. -
Mr.. stutler stated today that it would
involve an expense Of not less than s., 500
to remove the snow from The street cross
ings and cutters. 1t was suggested to him
that the necessary funds might be taken
from the emergency fund.- but he explained
that the amount remaining available is so
small, and as very urgent, demands might
be made thereon from other quarters before
July 1, it would hardly be wise to use that
fund or any part of tit for the purpose.
Mr.. Stutler learned later that the House
OF Representatives today appropriated the
sum of 1000 for the, purpose, and he was
told that the Senate would probabl concur