Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-20
Origin of the Snow and Rain
Storm Of Today.
THE WEATHER REPORT
NO MORE SNOW PROBABLE IN
EARLY FUTURE.
Work of Humane Society in Behalf OF
Work Animals-River
Conditions.

This is gum boot and umbrella
weather" exclaimed a tall man who was
without either gum boots or an umbrella,
as he waded across Pennsylvania avenue
today through a gulf of black slush and
ice.
Yes" chimed in a veteran policeman,
who was standing in front of The Even
Star building. land it's the worst Febru-
airy can remember in thirty years. with
it's ice and snow, rain. hail, sleet. Icy
north winds and gales and most every
thing else except thunder and lightning.
In the forecast room of the weather bu-
reau on 9th street Prof Garriott and the
other official prophets on the staff of Prof.
Willis L. Moore. chief of the weather serv
ice were busily engaged this forenoon In
scanning the latest weather map bearing
information cleaned from their Geographic
reports from all sections Of the United
States and even away down south in Cuba
and Porto Rico and northward to the re-
gions of eternal Ice and snow.
There has been general fall of rain
and snow over the eastern part Of the coun-
try" said Prof. Garriott to Star reporter.
but there will be no more snow In this
particular locality for the present, at least
The fall Of rain, however, Is likely to con-
tnue for the next twenty-four hours. and
you may add that there Is as yet no cold
weather in sight. Moderate conditions will
prevail, but the temperature will not be
high enough to seriously affect the ice in
the Potomac. The storm we are experience
ing came from the gulf coast, and Is trav-
cling rapidly toward the northeast, but will
pass away by tomorrow. The reports to-
day show that there is no cold weather pre-
vailing in any part of the country"
While the citizens of Washington were
yet thanking the tickle goddess Of meteor
oiogy for the comparatively fine weather
yesterday storm clouds were gathering in
the skies, and last night the tabled old
man in the moon got busy plucking his sky
goose and there was heavy fall of feath-
cry snow last night which quickly covered
the ground, roofs, trees and shrubbery.
This in turn this morning was followed by
a dismal fall of February rain.
Conditions on the River.
The warmer weather has made but little
change In the ice conditions on the river
in this vicinity, solid mass of varying
thickness covering the surface, and 1t
shows but little sign of softening. The
Norfolk line steamers are able to make
better time, as their track does not freeze,
but the officers of the boats report the Ice
immovable from Lower Cedar Point to this
city. Below Lower Cedar 1t Is drifting
about in large masses Rvermen are look
ing for thaw and the fear of a freshet Is
causing some anxiety along the wharyes.
The snow which fell last night and the rain
that followed will do much toward honey
combing the Ice should no cold weather
follow.
While the charity associations have been
busy alternating the distress of the poor,
so far as the limited means at their COM
mand have allowed, there Is another society
in Washington that has been doing good
work along other lines. The officials of the
Humane Society have been kent hlISV during
the cold and Icy weather in looking after
the interests of dumb animals. Special
hardship has been entailed upon horses by
the slippery condition of the roadway, the
icy blast of winter and the flying snow.
The secretary of the Humane Society said
to Star reporter today that since the ex-
tremely cold and freezing weather started
in the condition of the streets has made
hauling twice as difficult it would other
wise be- The agents of the Humane So
ciety have been active in their efforts to re-
duce the hardship to horses and mules.
For the past three weeks said the sec
rotary 1.-THE work of the humane society
has been greatly increased and our five
agents have been sorely taxed. They have
been out in the weather day and night, look
ing after cases of cruelty to and neglect of
to the overlooking of wagons, but particu-
larry coal carts. We have had to contend
with many difficulties, but the police have
co-operated with us splendidly.
I'VE have urged horse owners to blanket
their animals these cold and wet days. The
drivers of unblanketed horses who have
been approached by our agents have stated
that the owners do not provide them with
coverings and there is much suffering
among the patient animals a result
Agents of the society have also stopped
many teams in cases where the horses at
tached have been slipping and falling on
the ice-covered roadways. In many cases
the drivers have been compelled under pain
of arrest to unhitch their horses until they
were taken to a blacksmith and rough
shod-
Sample Reports.
Among the reports received by the secre-
tary of the Humane Society today was one
of a horse attached to a loaded cart, the
animal falling near Nth and F streets and
breaking its back. AT the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad coal dump another horse fell
and cut a long deep cash in it's neck This
animal was conveyed in the ambulance to
the veterinary hospital. Another case was
that of horse in an lily constructed stable
with the rain pouring upon it through
leaky roof
Coal dealers have been requested to re-
duce the size of the loads placed In their
carts in the present condition of the streets.
The Humane Society points out the great
advantages these precautions will be to
owners themselves well as humane to
the horses. by preventing accidents loss of
time and possibly loss of valuable stock