The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-03

? O'clock II o'clock....... /
o'clock ....*7 IL o'clock 3
1 o'clock........ o
Below zero. o'clock-..-..
The mercury shrunk into 10 below
zero at o'clock this morning after the
coolest night of the year. This is the
thirteenth time in the history of the
Topeka weather station that tempera-
ture of 10 or more below zero has been
registered About every other year in
January the mercury does that. The
last time was on January II, 1908, when
1913 below was registered. Last winter
the lowest was below on January 4.
Today a stiffness in the atmosphere al
leviated the cold somewhat.
AS usual, gas shortage accompanies
the minus zero weather and the usual
suffering occurs. In Potwin, College
Hill, and other extremities Of the city
there was not enough gas to light the
houses cook the meals, or heat the
furnaces after noon yesterday. Rapid
changes to coal burners were made in
the gas burning furnaces and the coal
offices knew no rest even though it was
holiday.
Coal oil lamps were in much demand
where gas lighting has been depended
upon. Many deliveries of coal and oil
were made as late as 8 o'clock last
night. Many residences were without
heat for six hours of below zero wealth
er Indignation meetings were held at
coal heated houses of many neighbor-
hoods and curses adopted for the gas
company.
The mercury kindly moved up off of
10 below at 8 this morning, continuing
a very slow rise and the weather man
says today should be warmer than yes
terday-though not a great deal. He
also says that if the wind which had an
average of 20 miles an hour from the
west-northwest had been little more
to the north, the temperature would
have gone down many degrees lower
last night and this morning.
1t is a change of the wind to the west
which is expected to bring warmer
weather. The barometer shows signs
of falling which is an indication of a
cessation of the present condition.
I'VE are now bro king the backbone
of the winter said Weather Observer
Flora, land I do not think this sort of
thing will happen again."
Coal Companies Busy.
The coal companies of Topeka are
having their innings today. More than
100 wagons are attempting 10 make
deliveries on rush orders received yes
terday and early this morning which
could not be filed yesterday although
they worked long after dark last
night.
Very few orders taken after s
O'Clock this morning can be filled to-
day. The invariable answer of the
dealer is: Yes, we've got the coal
but can not get it out today. You car
have it if you come after it." Addi-
tional wagons have been pushed into
service this afternoon and one com
pany has twenty on the streets.
Managers of the larger companies
say there is no danger of coal short
age even though the cold spell should
last two or three weeks. While mos
of the Topeka coal supply is il
bin, there is a good supply on tracl
if needed from the mines.
The rush on coal dealers is un
precedented in the city. In one up
town office, clerk was left to tax,
the orders of a string of buyers O.
today while the manager repaired t.
the yards to try to get out last night
orders. Telephone receivers were LEI
down in order that the waiting pa
irons could be heard.
In another office, the manager wa.
attempting to dictate telephone order.
to his stenographer, answer Calling
patrons and get the orders transferred
to the yards. In no case was he prom
Using delivery today.
'SThe people are improvident," he said
Here, take that. Every house L.
town was sent one last September.
That was a circular which included
the prophetic paragraphs which follow
and urged the people to buy coal:
You have but to recall the expert
ence of last winter to realize that it il
incumbent upon you to protect you
household against failure of gas sup
ply, which it is positively certain vii
take place with recurrence of weathe
such as we had for nearly two month
last winter.
Bear in mind the gas company alb
solutely refuses to guarantee a suppl,
of gas in very cold weather, and urge
all its patrons to carry reasonab!
supply of coal as a reserve"
And the gas company does no
guarantee to supply gas Their con
tract with their subscribers contain
the very conspicuous clause which jus
now looks like a death warrant:
I'm case the supply of natural ga
shall fail in whole or in part, wIlethe
from natural causes or otherwise. tn
company shall not be liable for dam
age by reason of such failure: and
ID expressly understood by the sub
scriber that the company does nc
guarantee results in the use of nature
car and will not be responsible there
for"
All the Gas There Is.
II fail to see. why everybody want
~ abuse u.s. said L. G. Treleavel
manager of the Consumers Gas con