The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-31
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wind The minimum was eight below
In many districts the poor We're
faced with the danger of actual
freezing in their homes. The scarcity
of coal has forced them to buy IN
very small quantities, and as the coal
yards were closed yesterday there was
no opportunity for them to replenlsh
their exhausted supplies.
Crops Freeze in Florida
Daytona, Fla, Dec. 91.-For the
second time this winter the Their
mometers this morning registered %
degrees above zero and ice froze to
the thickness Of one-half inch. Nege-
tation and winter crops suffered much
damage.
Nine Deaths Due to Cold.
New York, Dec. 31.-With nine
cold during the past twentyfour
hours, the situa ton in New York con-
tinued serious today in the face of
coal shortage. The, weather bureau
reported the official temperature four
below at 8 a m. today, with street
thermometers showing several de-
grees lower. The lowest during the
last tWenty-four hours was g below
the coolest in the history of the local
weather bureau
of continuing the Christmas holiday
of the schools turnout this week,
keeping them closed until next Mon
day as d means of conserving coal.
Record Fires in New York.
A record breaking number of fires
/ occurred during the past twenty-four
hours. There were more than 500
alarms resulting from overheated fur
naces or other causes arising from the
intense cold.
The Bronx subway was tied up for
two hours in the midst of the morn
ing hour rush here due to a fuse blow
ing out. Thousands were confined in
damage was being repaired. One train
was stalled directly under the Har-
/ lem river Many women tainted and
were carried from the trains.
Long Lines Before Coal Yards.
I Coal merchants kept their places
open as relief stations all day yester-
! day and many of them all night to
/ accommodate applicants who were al
/ lotted amounts from fifty pounds to q
quarter of a ton. Hundreds of men
and women waited hours in the long
/ lines to obtain even this scanty sup
ply. Crowds became so large in
} front of two North River relief sta
i tons that police reserves had to be
called to maintain order. To further
/ increase the seriousness of the Goa
I situation, the coal teamsters have
threatened to strike for higher wages
Biggest Snow Ever in Florida.
st. Augustine, Fla, Dec. 31.-This
city was covered with snow to a depth
! of approximately half an inch today
which was said to be the heaviest
! snowfall ever recorded in St. Angus
/ tine. Freezing weather prevailed dur
ing the day. the mercury, according
| to unofficial readings, lowering be-
tween 4 and degrees below freezing
| Many truck gardens in this vicinity
| suffered.
Freezing in South.
! Savannah, Ca, Dec. 31.-With unof-
fetal thermometers registering 5 de
grees above zero, Savannah today ex
perienced the coolest December day
ture rose slightly this aftrnoon.
First Snow in City's History.
Miami, Fla, Dec. 31.-A furry O.
be the first snow ever seen in thi.
vicinity.
Predict January Thaw.
Chicago, Dec. 31-The traditional
January thaw" will be right on the
job tomorrow, so far as that part OF
the country west of the Alleghenies is
| concerned, the weather bureau de
clared today.
The east will continue to get a few
more hours of real winter Then it
too, will enjoy several days of tenn
peratures many degrees above normal
Ending of the cold snap has averteC
danger of coal famine in several sec.
tons light snowfall was prevalent
o. er Illinois, southern Wisconsin. east
ern Iowa and northern Indiana today
but 1t will not hamper transportation
The lowe: temperature i'll this vicinity
tonight will be about 10 above zero