The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-01
WATER FAMINE IS
 SERIOUS MENACE More Than 150 Mills Shut Down and People Are
 Suffering

Charlotte, N. G., July 31.--As a climax to the unprecedented drought this sec tion is experiencing, 152 cotton mills in North and South Carolina shut down to-
 day because the water in Catawba river is so low the Southern Power company cannot supply the plants with power. It is estimated that 1000 operatives are thrown aut of employment, but it is ex-
 pected that work will be resumed in two
 days.
 Tt has been many weeks since ram of any consequence has fallen and local weather bureau records show now a de-
 ficiency of 50 per cent in precipitation
 for this section. Creeks which have not
 gone dry In 45 years are mudholes and
 distress among the rural population de-
 pendent for water on wells is great.
 Mountain streams to the west, upon
 which many fouring mills, tanneries and
 cotton mills are dependent for power,
 have dwindled to mere brooks in some
 instances, and many plants have been
 forced to shut down.
 Crops in this immediate section are
 burning up in the fields. Many farmers
 in this and adjoining counties, despairing
 of corn crop, have chopped down the
 young corn and are using it for feed,
 while the hot winds are playnig havoc
 with cotton. .
 Cities and towns ito the north and
 west of Charlotte are facing the ordeal
 of a water famine that this city is now experiencing. At Greensboro, Salisbury,
 Concord, Spencer Monroe, Wadesboro
 and other places the water supply prob
 lem has reached the serious stage and
 measures of economy are being rigidly enforced.
 The situation in Charlotte has not inn proved materially, though the auth ori- ties are working night and day on the problem. Feeling that the distress of
 the people is not being relieved as promptly as was hoped by means of tank trains from the river at Mount Holly, the offers of water from Gas tonia, Shelby and Lincolnton were to-
 day accepted and tank trains brought in tonight 50,000 gallons from each place. This is being pumped into the
 city mains direct by means of fire en- zines, and an additional steamer, bor- rowed from Columbia $. C., will aug ment the local fire apparatus in this work tomorrow. It is hoped by Wednes- day to resume an economic service through the mains. It has ben cut off since early Friday. Special prayer services for rain were held in churches throughout the sec 1 ton yesterday. There was a brief | shower this afternoon and rain is fall l ing lightly with atmospheric condition that promise relief.
 Louisville Ky, July 3l.-In many sec | tions of Kentucky, especially in the cen | tral and eastern portions of the state. the worst drouth known in years Is playing havoc with the crops. - In several counties streams and cs- terms are dry and drinking water Is
 scarce Fleming county has called upon
 neighboring counties for help and ten thousand barrels of water have been shipped there. Tobacco and all other crops have been severly affected and will be weeks late if not entirely rulnted. It has been five weeks since any rain of conseuuence fell in eastern Kentucky
 and some of the celebrated blue grass is looking very brown.