Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-27
RESIDENTS WITHOUT WAFER
BREAK IN WATER MAIN IN
NORTHWEST SECTION.
Druggists Do q Rushing Business in
Sale Of Mineral Liquid-Dep-
rivation Temporary.


Nearly one-third of the city of Wash
ington was without water for more than
five hours this morning. This condition
was due to break in the big thirty-six-
inch water main at the intersection of
Piney Branch road and 18th street north
west. The break occurred at $50 in the
morning and was not repaired sufficient
for water service until 1880 o'clock.
During that long interval much incon-
venience was caused, and more than JO,OO(
persons found out what a real water famine
might be like. should 1t occur hsre. The
dose, however. was slight one, but those
who were affecte- are said to have learn
ed during those FIVE hours to fully appre-
ciate water. and the officials of the water
department are OF the opinion that no
complaints will ever be received from
those persons about the high price OF
water.
Capt J. J. Morrow. Engineer Commits
sioner. says that every person who was
affected fully appreciates now that water
Is worth every cent paid for 1t, and more
besides. Capt. Morrow was one of those
who were affected. He and his family
spent some little time wondering how they
were going to wash and do without water
In cooking breakfast after they learned
that there was nothing doing In the water
line. until the captain thought Of the wa
ter tank In the toilet room From this
tank, which had remained filed over
night. he succeeded in dipping out a gal
lon or SO.
Commissioner Vests Experience.
Commissioner Vests home was also az
fected. but he succeeded in obtaining suf-
fcient water for washing purposes from
bottles of mineral water that he had in
the refrigerator. Mr.. West said his first
thought when he found that the water
supply had been cut off was one of pity
for the $40 loyal Bryan supporters who
stayed the limit at the Bryan banquet last
night.
The area affected by this serious
break. the cause of which has not yet
been determined by Supt- McFar-
land of the District water department.
was greater portion of the territory
north of Florida avenue from 10Th street
to North Capitol street, the ne!ghborhoods
of Langdon, Brookland lexington. Mount
Pleasant, Kalorama Heights and large
portion of Georgetown. According to the
officials, the break occurred at a most
inconyenient hour. Shortly afterward
when the residents in the neighborhoods
water supply had been stopped. they i'm
mediately commenced 'phoning police
headquarters. Most of them asked If
there was a big fire somewhere in the
CITY, anu ~ The OpcEdtOiop hCdi
ly all Of the persons inquiring we1e In
anything but pleasant moods.
While these sharp words were being
directed over the tele phone to the police
headquarters the force Of the water de-
partment had learned of the break and
was busiiy engaged In mending It.
., Columbia Heights "Hit."
The cutting of Of their water supply
was the prevailing topic of conversation
among the ofiice-goers Of Columbia
Heights. Many of them had had to do
without the morning additions and the
customary cup of coffee and were proper
tionately peevish about 1t. Others. espe-
cially those particular about their drink
ing water and who in consequence had
large kettles of boiled water on hand.
had been able to provide each member of
their households with little moisture
and the usual amount Of liquid breakfast
decoctions. The druggists on 1.-THE Hill''
did a rushing business in mineral waters.
Their stock of spring waters was quickly
depleted and the VS. terless citizens were
forced to fall back upon various medici-
nal waters, either for drinking purposes
or for the toilet. The old-fashioned ctti-
zens with artesian wells and windmill wa
ter towers were oesieged by their neigh
bors. and the unusual spectacle Of little.
we'll dressed children and Sleepy eyed
men carrying pals and pitchers of water
down the street lent a touch of humor to
the incident.