Evening star., 1909-03-04
OVERSHoES IN DEMAND.
Local Dealers in Footwear Do a
Thriving Business.

Rubber shoes and coats for pedestrians
and rough shoes for horses were in great
demand last night and this morning. Many
merchants kept their stores open to
help meet the demand. Shoe stores were
besieged this morning. and at a number
of such esta blishments, 1t is stated, the
supply lasted only a short while. Not
only were rubbers wanted, but many
visitors found it necessary to purchase
shoes and socks. 1t was amusing to
witness wet-feet shoppers changing shoes
and stockings and being fitted out in what
they thought would be sufficient to enable
them to brave the storm. Many sturdy
blacksmiths were called from their beds
and prevailed on to open their shops Hun
dredS of horses were scheduled to partici-
pate in the parade. and it was realized
by their owners that roughing would be
necessary in order to insure safety, and
the blacksmiths responded to their ap-
peals.
''Rubbers for sale" was the cry this
morning, taking the place of the hot
coffee and sandwiches call.
A number of those who realized they
would be unable to carry badges and other
souvenirs through the snow and keep
them in condition to find purchasers OBJ
tanned supplies OF rubbers and sold them
at prices calculated to insure them break
ing even in their business venture Some
others had umbrellas for sale, but owing
to the high wind the demand was not
great. Many broken umbrellas WEI C
picked up along Pennsylvania avenue this
morning by the street cleaners, the high
wind last night having wrecked them.
Stands that had been erected about the
streets by persons who intended to sell
hot coffee and sandwiches were deserted
at an early hour last evening and those
that were partly protected from the
weather were in working order this morn
ing. Persons who would ordinarily have
patroniZed such places were not willing
to stand in the snow and rain while
getting something to eat. They sought
the regularly established dining rooms
and satisfied their appetites.
The severe weather greatly increa scd
the demand for public vehicles. and taxi
cabs and vehicles of every description
did thriving business during the night.
Even the more dilapidated ''night-liners
were in demand. and, 1t is stated. but
little attention was paid to the legal
fare. Horses drawing some of the ve-
hicles suffered from the effects of the
weather. owners not having provided COW
erinSs for them. while other animals
We're fortunate enough to have coverings.
Ii is stated that many of the drivers
refused anything less than s. Job
Because of the condition of the local
telephone service the police We're unable
TO report to headquarters this morning
all the instances of damage done by
the storm. nor were they able to make
regular reports of other happenings. Re-
ports from all sections of the District
Indicated that many trees and telephone
and telegraph poles were down, and the
rain yesterday had caused a number of
dangerous washouts along the county
roads and in the city. Sidewalks were
obstructed In many parts of the city by
dead branches of trees that had been
blown down. while snow had drifted
gainst the front doors of many dwellings
and made it necessary for occupants to
use shevels in order to get out of their
homes.