The Washington times., 1901-12-16
THE MERCURY AT
EIGHTEEN DEGREES.
COLD WAVE INVESTS THE CITY.
Jack Frost md Borens Carry Capital
by Assault and Drive Bcsiercd
Indoors-Churches and
streets Deserted.

The first cold snap OF the winter
ciutched Washington in its frigid fingers
yesterday. The mercury drop steadily
until 1t registered is degrees above zero
at midnight last night
The prospect is that the cold snap Will
! continue at least today and tomorrow.
Clear skies will prevail. however and for
those who like clear, frosty air there Will
be no room for complaint. The strong
northwesterly winds, SO persistent all of
| yesterday, are forecast by the Weather
bureau to diminish Slightly tonight and
1 tomorrow.
The storm which brought the great
cold wave. with temperature descents of
~ to 50 degrees from the West to the
coast, passed over the District of Column
b'a and adjacent States with the heavy
rain OF Saturday night, and had last light
swept as far north as the Canadian mari
time provinces.
Cold snap Unpopular.
Judging from expressions heard on
every hand yesterday. washingtouians
would, IL required. cast almost a unani-
nous vote for warmer weather. There
were more red noses caused by Boreas'
persistent painting with his frosty air
brush than would be the case II Rhine
wine formed the contents OF the public
reservoirs.
Furs were everywhere in evidence.
Heavy oyercoats. where available re-
placed the light top garments which the
mild temperature has warranted for the
past three weeks. The number OF Sunday
afternoon street and avenue promenaders
was materially cut down
Perhaps after little more continuous
frigidity Washingtonians will become
thoroughly accustomed to real winter
weather. AS one young girl said yester-
day as she was shiycring in spite of a
heavy automobile coat and swell fur boa,
while waiting for car. II like cold
weather well enough. | think IT Is Just
simply grand. But / do not like to have
it come so much all at once
Few OF the cars of the Washington
Traction Company line we're heated at all
yesterday. The cars on the Capital Trac-
tion Company lines were warm and com
Portable.
The Churches Deserted.
II census had been taken Of the at
tendance at church throughout the city
yesterday morning IT would have shown
a great falllag of in religious enthusiasm.
The deficiency could have Justly been
credited to lack Frost.
The sighs were numerous and heavy !
which went up from householders yester-
day. The heavy drop in temperature
meant that the stock of coal in every eel
lar must begin TO diminish, and that with
coal at figures never touched before In
history. Many old and experienced bread
winners expressed the belief that the
Coal Trust was in league with the Chief
OF the Weather Bureau, and that the ad-
vanced price of the black diamond product
and the slump In the weather market were
due to a nice arrangement between the |
two. Charges are not likely to be filed
against Willis Moore on this account.
The Condition of the Poor.
While the cold snap was not unexpected. ]
It has caused considerable suffering
among the poorer classes. Many families
were caught without coal. and several
eases were reported to the police. The
Associated Charities and other relief as
sOciatiOns viii get very busy today in
boxing over the aelu and providing
means Of relief where needed
Fortunately the winters In Washing
on are not so severe that acute suffering
IS experienced. But the suddenncss OF the
'hange has resulted in no small amount OF
illness, especially grip. A large number
II new cases we're reported at the hos
Dtals yesterday II is hardly expected
hat the epidemic will reach a very seri-
Jus stage at once. however.