The Washington times., 1905-02-17
WARMER WEATHER
FOR SHORT WHILE
Freeze Has Made Lots of
Trouble Though.
HOUSEKEEPING EXPENSIVE
River Full of Thick Ice That Must
Be Broken Up to Save the
City.

After weeks of weather during which
the mercury registered around zero,
Washington was this morning struck by
q wave which, while 1t may not be deS-
ignated as suitry. is at least pleasant
enough TO allow the clerks tC abandon
the muffiers and ear flaps with which
they have been protecting themselves
during the last few weeks.
The suppression Of icy blasts which
have so long kept Washington indoors
and near the fire. was not altogether un-
expected Early yesterday morning the
mercury began to rise, and continued its
upward course until o o'clock yesterday
afternoon It began to drop then and
by nightfan there seemed little chance
OF thaw.
Predictions Verified,
In statement issued by Forecaster
Henry. of the Weather Bureau. another
rise in the mercury was promised, which
has SO far been verified. Southern
winds struck Washington at an early
hour this morning. and the first man TO
leave home for his days work at the
office found that the bitter cold winch
only yesterday caused him ID rub his
cars has made way for Tnilder weather.
Fcrecaster Henry says tie mild
weather will cause the formation or
clouds which may in the future cause
rain. or sno. For the time being,
however. he promises clear. warm
weather.
The cold spell has been the cause Of
profit to the street car lines OF the city
So cold and windy has it been that citi-
zens hesitated to walk even few
blocks. Many stayed at nome. but for
the Government clerks and Diners en-
ployed in downtown offices, this was i'm
possible. The result was that the car
companies reaped harvest Of nickels.
Rivermen Suffer.
What was 2 source of profit to the
car companies. however, was cause
Of much distress among the riverInen
Swept by the freezing winds, the ice, al
ready several inches deep, rapidly
thickened, until the river Is ct present
covered with = smooth coating, in some
places almost eighteen inches thick II
will take days OF warm weather 10
Ihaw it into such condition that il may
he broken up by the tugs which HaF-
bormaster Sutton has engaged for that
purpose
Mr. Sutton Is we'll prepared for the
work of breaking up the ice and opening
the river for traffic. He has twelve tugs
which are lying in the river awaiting
his order TO commence the WoTk. Break
ing Zip the ice, especially when 1t is over
81 foot in thickness, however, Is a dan
sereas and expensive undertaking. Har-
bormaSter Sutton Is determined TO take
no chances on the outcome of his work.
Il snail wait he says, when asked
the probable date on which he will start
his work. until l am sure the thaw
hassset IN | have no desire te open
= ahznnel. only to have it freeze again
during the night.
- shall not commence until am con-
ndent that 1 can accomplish the work
When / do start the work will be done
with : rush.
Other Boats to Help.
Ii addition to the twelve tugs which
Mr. Sutton has hired to aid him IN his
work. he will also be assisted by the
haTbor boat VigiIant, and the Randall
Line steamer the Estelle Randall. The
latter. armed with q pillow, is able TO
break through the heaviest ice with but
little difficulty. and is expected 10 give
great aid in the work of clearing the
river.
In the market, too. the effects of the
cold spell have been noticeable. The
price of everything has gone u until
The plainest articles of food bring the
prices one is accustomed 10 pay for lux
uries. Housewives have found market
ing expensive during the last rev weeks
and as result the dealers say there
has been a marked decrease in the num-
Der of sales
Eggs butter poultry, in fact, every
thing save potatoes, are higher. The
latter most of which come from Miehi-
gan. are plentiful and the price is low.
Especially noticeable is this rise in the
price of eggs and butter. Many dealers
are offering eggs of three different va
rlettes OF freshness. One they call sim
Ply eggs, the second sort IS designat-
ed fresh eggs, and the third class IS
labeled strictly fresh eggs" Yesterday
TIE latter sold for 81 and in some cases
% cents per dozen. an increase of 4
cents over the price at this time last
year.
The price of Elgin butter at this time