The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-28
Lack Of Rain In Western Penn
syIVania Has Brought Losses
Up In the Millions
FOREST FIRES DESTROY
GREAT TIMBER TRACTS
Heavy Damage Has Been Done to
Property and Crops and Thou
sands of Workmen Are Idle.
Drought Is Unbroken.

Pittsburg, September 27-With losses ag-
gregating several million dollars from
forest fires and heavy damage to crops
and live stock; the reported loss of
number of lives due to fighting timber
conflagrations; the enforced idleness of
thousands of workmen owing to the sus-
pension of manufacturing establishments
because of lack of water; the health au-
thorities anticipating a serious epidemic
of diseases, and many small streams
dried up and practically obliterated, the
drought of 1908. which has held western
Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and West Vir-
ginia in its grasp for more than two
months. remains unbroken, each day
gradually increasing the seriousness of
the unprecedented 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 it
had rained when shown evidences of the
same on tin roofs
Aside from the millions of feet of tim
Der destroyed and the daily loss to man.
ufacturers and farmers, probably the
most serious phase of the situation is the
threatened disease epidemic majority
of the population of western Pennsyl-
vania, eastern Ohio and West Virginia
are even now suffering from throat af-
fections caused by the great aceumula-
tion of dust and the heavy ciouus Of
smoke. In this city, used to smoke the
sun is almost obscured by smoke from
forest fires miles away, and persons in
the vicinity of these fires are experiencing
difficulty in breathing 1t is feared that
when rain does come it will wash great
amounts of filth into the already stagnant
streams with the resultfthat disease. es-
pecally typhoid fever, will become epi-
demic. The health authorities have sound
ed warnings to the public to boil all water
used for internal purposes, and by doing
this only many deaths and much
sickness be prevented.
Next in Importance comes the enforced
suspension of numerous industries and
the throwing out of employment of thou
sands of workmen. many of whom had
just returned to work following the re-
cent depression. While in the Pittsburg
district the water supply is sufficient to
carry on all business, the low stage Of
the rivers has caused congestion Of
much coal in this vicinity. Every avail
able barge and float has been loaded with
coal, and at present with almost 20000,-
600 bushels in the Pittsburg harbor the
river coal mines have been compelled to
shut down for the want Of shipping facili-
ties. There are about 1900 miners en-
ployed in river mines along the Monon-
gahela 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 experienced, es-
pecially in the northwest, should condi-
tions prevent the shipment of the coal be-
fore cold weather sets in. In West Vir-
ginia lumber plants, glass factories and
iron and steel mills located along the
rivers are closed on account of insuffi-
cient water In eastern Ohio the same
conditions prevail, and it is feared the
great iron and steel mills at Youngstown.
o., employing over 10000 men, will have to
suspend operations unless the drought is
speedily broken.
In all sections of the dry zone. prayers
are offered up daily and these prayers
will continue until they are answered with
rain.