Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-05
THREE DEGREES ABOVE
What the Thermometer Re-
gistered Early Today.
VERY COLD WEATHER
SUBURBAN RESIDENTS EXPERT.
ENCE MANY DISCoMFoRTs.
Many Demands Upon Local Charitable
Associations-Neces Urgent
List Of Subscriptions.

List Of Subscriptions.
When the official Thermometer out at the
government weather bureau records the
minimum descent of mercury at 8 above
zero the average Washingtonian may have
just cause for calling 1t cold. Even the
official forecaster, who is supposed to have
quiet tips, and who tells the people OF the
country what they may expect. was cha
grined at the change that came about dur
ing last night.
This very obliging official, who dailies
with weather in all its varied forms. and
who. at a minutes notice, often gives
summer zephyr or a northwestern cyclone,
as he may seem to see fit. had given as
surance to the people of Washington that
the force of the cold wave was broken and
that there would be a gradual moderation.
But even official forecasters are human
They may err. And when they do they are
the butt of all kinds of abuse. The resi-
dents Of Washington who Shivered on their
way down town this morning and who
raved and stormed at the slowness OF the
cars, had no just reason to kick. This Is
the time of the year when wintry weather
Is expected. If it has not come in certain
years of their remembrance. 1t cannot De
SAID thdt 1t EaST1 a T1SHI W iIidhc 10 oP-
pearance when 1t feels like 1t.
Too Cold for Comfort.
But there Is no mistake, it was cold this
morning. 1t was too cold for comfort.
Those who gave their furnace fires per-
functory shaking last night, feeling that
the weather would be warmer in the morn
ing, were given a severe jolt, and Incl
dentally a far-reaching idea of what the
cold means to the poor of the city. who
always at this time Of the year are suf-
ferers.
E Suburban residents Jared the worst. In
the outlying districts the zero zephyrs have
uncontrolled sway. and the way they put
In their time a morning like that of today Is
q caution. They do extra time. and might
well be fit subject for the attention of
walking delegate; although 1t Is doubtful II
q walking delegate could have gotten about
with any degree Of comfort this morning.
Washington has experienced much colder
weather. though It would be hard to find
person who would declare that this wasn't
the coolest he had ever seen. Even the
clerks in the departments who came from
Minnesota and other semi-arctic parts OF
the country, were inclined to stamp their
feet in the street cars and express the wish
that they might be back in their native
cline where nothing but summer waves
ever caused them any uneasiness
The weather Is never too cold for the
young. The boy and girl who has sled or
a pair of skates and didn't have them in
evidence this morning was a rarity. This
is the time of all others that gives them a
chance to fill their lungs with health-givz
ing ozone.
Record of Previous Years.
While everyone was inclined to declare
that this was the coolest weather that had
ever been known in Washington, 1t is only
proper that the facts should be known
February IL. 1899, the national capital was
In the grasp of genuine blizzard. Not
the 'incipient blizzard that the weather
bureau dubbed the cold of the last few
Gays At that time the mercury went
down to Is degrees below zero.
Think of 1t!
In January. 1890, the second day of the
year. one degree below was registered out
at the weather bureau. December 81 of the
same year the people of Washington were
glad to wrap their furs about them and con-
slider themselves fortunate with the mercu-
ry at three degrees above. the same as 1t
was this morning from to o'clock.
Weather such as washington are eX-
periencing today is always a source of sor-
row aud trouble to those persons who are
unfortunate In the great struggle of life.
In city the size Of Washington there are
always to be found persons who are really
in need Of immediate help.
J. Looking After the Destitute.
The Associated Charities and the Citizens
Relief Association are organizations that
are constantly looking after the interest
of the deserving needy. This year is no
exception to the rule. Fortunately. the
weather has been less severe than usual,
but the extreme cold of the last few days
has increased the work Of these organiza-
tons
The agents of the Associated Charities are
overworked. They have more than they
can attend to. The most urgent demands
the third fourth dav after a cold
wave. The calls that have been made upon
the Associated Charities in the last two
days equal those of any other year.
This necessity for aid Will continue until
the end of February If other years are TO
be taken a criterion. 1t is due to the
fact that during the winter months there Is
a lack OF work, as compared with other
months of the year. and as a rule those
who have been engaged during the warmer
weather have exhausted their bank saw
ings. Many instances came to the attention
OF the Associa ted Charities today where
bed clothing Is needed Some of these in
stances were from well-to-do sections OF
the city.
Stories of Want.
One among the scores of pitiful stories
which illustrate the winter need for char
liable work is the brief account of an aged
working man found sick and friendIess In a
miserable unheated shack within three
blocks of Dupont Circle. close to Stone
leigh court and near the Church OF the
Covenant. The old man had been earning
a scanty living at breaking stone until he
was overcome by the cold and by partial
stroke of paralysis The agent of the As
ISOLATED Charities found him crouching over
cold stove in a room which was piled up
with cold ashes, pieces of dilapidated furni-
turs, some ragged garments and filth which
the sick man had not the strength to re-
move He was only able to partly clothe
himself and he had drawn the ragged bed
clothing from his pallet to wrap about him
in a vain effort to keep warm. He had sat
shivering In this condition for over twenty
four hours before discovered.
In this case it was only necessary to pro-
vide temporary assistance at once and at
terward the careful conveyance of the sick
man to the Almshouse Hospital. In the
ma jority Of instances, however, a great
deal of relief is needed in the shape Of food,
fuel. clothing, bed-clothing or direct finan-
cial aid
In all cases a great deal of prompt, SYM
pathetic. patient and hard work is required
of the agents of the Associated Charities.
All their personal service. as well as all
the material relief supplies which they have
to distribute, require generous contributions
from the charitable public. upon whose sub
scriptions the Associated Charities depends
entirely for the maintenance Of its work.
Donations to Charity Funds.