Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-01-23
DEBIT and CREDIT
OF WINTER EVEN

The grating Of spring into January
has a debit and credit side that very
clearly balances each other, If there
is more work for the poor man the
humidity makes him feel less like do
ing it. If the open winter means that
shipping is easier there is less de-
mand for the oysters that the boats
brng in.
If there is less relief work for the
charitable associations there is less
money to expend for the work that
must be done. Poets may rave Of the
appearance Of the dandelion and the
violet, but the farmer and the fruit
grower will complain of the too carly
appearance Of their blossoms and veg
etables. It's hard to say whether the
world at large gains or loses in the
deal.
At any rate, the unusual phenom-
enon has a marked effect upon the
life of the city, and, indeed, of the
country at large, for the abnormal
condition is widely prevalent. Build
ers,. shippers outdoor workers OF all
kinds feel the marvel, as well as dow
tors and coal men.
Physician is Heard
And in regard to the doctors. one
of them is authority for the statement
that it is not quite so certain as is
generally posed that the medicos reap
a harvest when warm and nuggy
weather comes along I'm the winter
Yes, l know that people think that
grip and pneumonia are more preva-
lent in such weather." said he but
! have never seen any scientific basis
for it. Our records have never shown
any very striking results in this re-
gard, although they have never been
carefully studied with such an end in
view. People say those things with
out definite knowledge /, speaking
scientifically. would hesitate to make
any such statement"
How 0ystermen Find II.
Oystermen find themselves both
benefited and hurt by the weather.
When it is as cold as it was last
winter they can hardly get to the
beds at all, and often they are frozen
up before they can get to port to dis
charge. Last spring there was some
/ talk OF keeping open the Maryland
season for a couple of weeks in order
to allow them to recuperate their
losses. This year the trouble is an
entirely different one. Oysters seem
to be fairly plentiful. but in warm
weather the demand for them slack
ems, and as a consequence the price
shows a corresponding drop. Hence
the oystermen are not recuperating to
any great extent.
The work of charities benefited by
/ the mild weather Many building op-
erations that would have been halted
bv freezing weather have continued so
far almost without interruption. Out
in the Washington Heights section
there are fifty or so houses going up.
Corresponding work is going on IN
other sections.
"If we had been able to forsee this
sort of winter we would be able 70
take advantage of it to a much great
er extent" said one builder. "As it
is neither architect or builders could
possibly know that such weather was
] to prevail, and you will find as a con-
sequence that no greater number OF
big building operations have been COM
menced this winter than in previous
ones. The builders already working
however, find that they can keep NJ
operations without risk. Plaster and
concrete, which are ordinarily affected
by cold, may be set in this sort OF
weather without fear. Ironworkers
have been able to continue. | suppose
it is safe TO say that more builders are
working now than at this time last
year."