Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-03
RELIEF FROM HEAT
WAVE IS IN SIGHT;
TOLL STILL HEAVY
Total Number of , Deaths
Throughout Country Mounts
Above $780, While ProStra-
tons Treble This Figure

NEW YORK. Aug. 1.-THE heat wave
which held most of the country in its
grip since Monday continued to take a
heavy toll today, but there were indica-
tions that IT was abating and that gen.
eral relief might come before the end
Of the week. Temperatures we'll up in
the nineties were again reported from
most of the eastern cities this after
noon. In the middle west, however,
there had been a decided drop. Scores
Of deaths and hundreds of prostrations
were reported. but the toll was not as
heavy as that taken yesterday.
The total number of deaths through
out the country mounted above the 500
mark this afternoon. Prostrations will
treble this figure.
In New York, the highest temperature
up to 1880 p. m. was 95. At that hour
however. the mercury dropped one de-
gree. A breeze made the heat more
bearable.
A general movement to close ex-
changes here Saturday was under way.
special meeting of governors of the
New York stock exchange was called to
act on petition for such action. The
coffee exchange was expected to close
and a similar petition was being circu-
lated on the cotton exchange.
Boston. Philadelphia and nearby cities
were the hottest in the country. Twelve
additional deaths and forty-four pros
trations had been reported here up to
p. m.
Nearly $50 persons are already dead
and 500 prostrations reported in the
-tiTling heat wave that has hung over
New York since Sunday.
The temperature at $50 today was
so. lower than yesterdays a. m. mark
but the forecaster expressed the be-
lief that yesterdays high mark will be
pressed closely today.
Mayor Mitchell has ordered ;he Guys
parks thrown open TO the suffering
thousands. AS a result Central parks
grass was dotted last night with Sleep
ing forms Coney Island and other near
h5 bspcnes wero ais crowded acl.a.
\ fIrst-aid station has been es'ab-
!shed in the subway station Inoer the
municipal building. Many prostrations
were reported from the station as a re-
suit of the crowding 10 board trains.
Although the temperature at 10 a. m.
was IS, s degrees lower than yesterday
at the same hour. the humidity was up
Il degrees. A maximum. heat of 80 to-
day is expected by the weather bureau.
Nine deaths and eighteen additional
prostrations were reported from mid
night to 10 o'clock today.
So great was the rush of men, won-
en- and children about free ice and milk
stations to-day that extra police were
put on duty to control the crowds. Po-
lice also started a search in the tene-
uent districts for babies suffering from
the heat Whenever a sick infant was
found the policeman gave the, mother
card emitting her TO free milk and
ice The local forecast today was for
cooler weather tonight and tomorrow.
Today started out in Philadelphia
with a temperature about the same as
yesterdays. but a 14-degree rise in hu-
midity made the heat more oppressive
The mercury was at IS at 9 a. m. The
death total since Monday is II.
With a temperature at s o'clock this
again sweltering. Yesterday five per-
sons died and many were Frustrated as
a direct result of the torrid weather.
This makes the total deaths from heat
since Monday morning IT.
Seven dead and more than so pros
trated in Greater Boston in the past
"a hours is the record Of the intense
heat and humidity here. Today was
another Of killing heat.
Three more deaths and a dozen pros
trations ushered In Washington's fourth
day of excessive heat Temperatures
today. however, have ranged slightly
lower and suffering was not so acute.
There is abundant-iee, but a scarcity
of labor delays delivery
Washington was the hottest city IN
the country this afternoon, reporting
100.
The temperatures at l p. m. and total
deaths and prostrations in various cities
during the heat wave were as follows: