New-York tribune., 1902-01-09
FIRST REAL SNOW FALL.
Yesterdays STORM MARKED THE
TRUE BEGINNING OF WINTER
FOR THIS CITY.

The first real snowstorm to visit this city this
! winter fell yesterday. and gave Major Wood
bury, the Street Cleaning Commissioner, an
opportunity to show how the fusion broom would
work. 1t looked last night as if the Street
Cleaning Department would be in position to
win all the laurels there to be won in re-
moving this deposit of snow. as it did not reach
the depth of three inches-the depth which must
be reached before the contractors services can
be called upon. Up to 10 o'clock last night the
snow barely two inches deep, and it
| seemed as if there would be but little more.
The snow trgan to fall long before daylight,
but in n desutory way. BY the middle of the
forenoon the streets decidedly white. The
snow, owing the warm atmosphere, was
somewhat moist and light. This was fortunate
for horses. although it made sloppy going for
people on foot 1t packed under the horses feet
and in consequence there a minimum
of slipping At noon an inch had fallen
and the Street Cleaning Department and
the officials of the streetcar lines had come
to the conclusion that the storm was going 10
be one worth considering Snowploughs were
gotten out and in Central Park people were
flying along in seighs The messenger boys
made the usual discovery that moist snow packs
nicely between the hands. and were testing their
aim with a few shots at each other.
The snow came down in large flakes shortly
before o'clock, and the ten-mile wind whis&ed
them into peoples faces in a way that made
them think blizzard had arrived The park
snowploughs got out, and the paths cleared.
At o'clock and three-quarter inches had
fallen, and the fell leisurey. At
o'clock 1t had almost stopped and for
hurries, there little more in the evening
Snow always makes travel the river more
difficult, but it did delay the ferryboats
greatly yesterday. There plenty of ice
floating to annoy the pilots. Ice has been COM
ing down the river for several days, but it
has not seriously interfered with traffic The
ferryboats crunch their way through it with al
most the ease of clear water
The tavernkeepeTs along the park driveways
distributed more magnums of champagne TO
venturesOme sleighers yesterday. Some have
already been distributed this year. but these
were awarded easier conditions than those
given yesterday. Mr. Dorval. manager of the
Casino, gave away four magnums to many
parties in slefghs who arrived at his tablish-
ment between II and o'clock The condition
which he attaches TO his gifts is that there
shall be enough snow to make it possible to
repeat the trip the next day. Yesterday he was
so certain that this condition would be fulfilled
that he delivered the champagne the spot
The winners Mr. and Mrs. Alfred c.
Moulton, Thomas Mcclure Mrs. c. A Baudoine
and a Mr.. Seymour
There feeling in the Street Cleaning De-
partment last night that the principal streets
would be thoroughly cleaned before tonight.
Thomas H. Stanton formerly snow inspector,
who was appointed superintendent of final dis
posal few days ago. said last night. Major
Woodbury. is a hustler"
William S. Clarke. the snow Inspector
kept himself thoroughly in touch with the
situation yesterday. He made arrangements
to dispose of what snow had fallen early this
forenoon. This plan was made late yesterday
afternoon, and on the supposition that the storm
would not continue through the night with viO-
lence enough to bring the total fall up to over
three inches. He arranged for ZOO sweepers
OF the department to be set at work at clearing
snow from the principal thoroughfares Five
hundred carts, 1t also announced would
also be employed. This force, it was estimated
should according to the indications last night,
get the work done In about three hours. If il
is found that it will take longer than that extra
men Will he hired and put a work
Mr.. Clarke announced that he would hereafter
not leave II to the snow contractor to estimate
the fall Of snow for himself. permitting him to
begin cleaning when he thought three inches
had fallen, but would notify the contractor him
self when to begin work. He said he should not
give the order until he notified officially
by the Weather Bureau that three inches had
fallen. At the office of the contractor John +.
Maillie, No % Chambers-st., il said last
night that everything in readiness for a
call from the Street Cleaning Department. Men
from the department working the
downtown streets last night
The forecast for to-day is for rain in
the early morning, with stationary temperature.
The temperature yesterday ranged between 81
and 33 degrees.