Evening star., 1908-01-13

A food warning was sent out this afteg-
noon by the United -tates weather bureau
through Forecaster Garriott. He says
the outlook Is that tomorrow the Potomac
on the Washington river front will be a
raging torrent. Prof. Garriott bases his
prediction on alarming reports received
by the weather bureau by telegraph from
points on the upper Potomac and its con-
tribut; ry streams.
THE, river is rising ra pdly at Harper s
Ferry.I Prof. Garrett says. 1.-THE waters
were above the flood stage at noon today,
the gauge showing that the river at that
point Was 1871 feet. There is consid-
erable amount of ice and it is running
down stream rapidly. The river is still
. rising with great rapidity at Cumberland,
where it is also above the flood stage.
The Shenandoah is close to the flood stage
, at Riverton. and rising rapidly
Explains the Cause.
Prof Garriott. in explaining the cause
of the predicted food said there had been
quite an accumulation of snow in the
upper mountains. and that the recent
warm rain had melted the snow and
caused much water to pour into the small
rivers contributary to the Potomac
The critical time on the Washington
river 'front.' the forecaster explained
viii be ct high tide, which will occur
about o'clock tomorrow morning. when
the lower wharyes will be submerged. and
the cellars along Louisiana avenue, Sth
street In the vicinity of Center Market
and other low places. will also be flooded.
Regarded as Serious.
Officials Of the weather bureau said this
afternoon that the condition Of the Poto-
mac and Shenandoah rivers makes the
outlook rather serious. 1t was said by a
resident of the West Virginia town that
the rise of twenty feet reported ought to
put Shenandoah street in Harpers Ferry
under water. The indications are that the
water will 60 even higher.
with the present rise Of twenty feet
said a weather bureau Official this after
noon. there Is no preventing flood trouble
here tomorrow morning. High tide at 5
o'clock in the morning will see water
backed up In the cellars in the districts
where the ground is low. and it will also
mean that the sewers will be unable to
carry off the water from the low Sec
TONS
He referred more particularly to the
district along Louisiana avenue be-
tween 9th and 10th streets. A Star re-
porter called upon several merchants
in that section this afternoon and told
them of the warning sent out by the
cellars in that section now former
floods having caused many of the mer-
chants to abandon the use of rooms
under the grade of the pavement.
Merchants Receive Warning.
Capt. Sutton of the harbor precinct was
told by weather bureau officials that the
lower wharves will be flooded and that
there is danger of considerable daI0age.
Capt. Sutton had his men make a trip
along the river front and notify the mer-
chants. and most of the latter took ad-
vantage OF the opportunity to move their
goods far possible.
It was stated at the Union station this
afternoon that the high water had moi
vet interfered with the movement of the
western trains. The trains from the
west arriving here today. it was stated
were about on time and no complaints
were heard as to tracks being under
water.
Capt. j. Jay Morrow, District Engi-
neer Commissioner. stated today that in
his judgment there is no cause for alarm
in Washington. His department. he
said will take all necessary steps to
avert loss from food but he does not be-
lieve the conditions reported from Har-
pers Ferry are such as TO excite con-
cern.
Owners of small craft got busy this
afternoon when they heard of the warn
ing that had been given by the weather
bureau. and number of them took their
boats from the river. Others, whose
boats were too big to handle had their
craft securely fastened In order to pre.
vent them from breaking away