The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-28
THE DROUGHT
 IS UNBROKEN Three States in Its
 Grasp. SITUATION CROWS SERIOUS An Epidemic of Contagious Disease
 Is Threatened. Manufacturing Plants Have Been Fore cd to Suspend Owing to Insufn- cient Water and Thousands
 of Laborers are Idle.

Pittsburg. Sept. 27.-With losses ag- gregating several million dollars from forest fires and heavy damage to crops and livestock: the reported loss of a number of lives due to fighting timber confagrations; the enforced idleness of thousands of workmen owing to the suspension of manufacturing establish ments because of lack of water: the health authorities anticipating a seri- ous epidemic of contagious diseases, and many small streams dried up and practically obliterated. the drought of 1908 which has held Western Pennsyl- vania. Eastern Ohio and West Virginia fin its grasp for more than two months remains unbroken: each day gradually increasing the seriousness of the un- precedented situation.
 Three times during the excessive dry spell there have been very slight rains, accompanied by much lightning and thunder. but the rainfall was so slight that many persons were unaware of the fact and were only convinced that 1t had rained when shown evidences of the same on tin roofs.
 Epidemic Threatened. Aside from the millions of feet of timber destroyed and the daily loss to manufacturers and farmers. probably the most serious phase of the situation is the threatened disease epidemic. A majority of the population of Western Pennsylvania. Eastern Ohio and West Virginia are even now suffering from throat affections caused by the great accumulation of dust and heavy clouds of smoke.
 Tn this city. used to smoke. the sun fs almost obscured by smoke from for est fires miles away. and persons In the vicinity Of these fire are experienc- fa R. ed that when rain does come It VIII wash great amounts Of filth into the al- ready stagnant streams with the result that disease. especially typhoid fever, will become epidemic. The. health au- thorities have sounded warnings to the public to boil all water used for inter nal purposes and say by doing this only l san many deaths and much sickness be prevented.
 Next in importance comes the en- forced suspended of numerous indus tries ant the throwing out of employ ment of thousands of workmen' many of whom have just returned to work following the recent depresslon' ,,, fin the Pittsburg district the water sup ply is sufficient to carry on all busi- mesa the low stage of the rivers has caused A congestion of much coal In this vicinity Every available barge and float has been loaded with coal and at present, with aInost t"oHes million bushels in the Pittsburg har- bor. the river coal mines have been oompeIled to shut down for the want of shipping facilities. There are about fifteen thousand miners employed in river mines along the Monongahela Valley. This great fleet of coal Is for the supply of points in the West and South and the probabilities are there will be a coal famine experi- enced. especially in the Northwest should conditions prevent the shipment of the coal before cold weather sets in.
 Insufficient WateE.
 In West Virginia, lumber plants. glass factories and iron and steel mills, located along the rivers, are closed on account of insufficient water Tn Eastern Ohio the same conditions prevail, and 1t is feared the great iron and steel mills at Houghstown. Ohio. employing over 10000 men, will have to suspend operations unless the drought Is speedily broken.
 In all sections of the dry zone. pray CTS are offered up daily and these prayers will continue until they are answered with rain.