Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-04-12

predicted to-day that there will prob
ably be no serious damage result
ing from the storm. The fact that
the sleet and snow has melted read
lily forms his basis for the opinion
that there will not be much freezing
of early produce.
Plants May Rot
The farmers fear principally for
the early blossoming fruit The long
duration of the storm also furnishes
ground for their fears that in addi-
ton to the danger of freezing, there
is the danger of early plants rot
ting.
The storm early yesterday after
noon took the form of a severe 5leet
storm, which continued several
hours, and quickly coated the town
with a slippery mass of slush and
snow. During the night there was
more rain. The total downfall until
this morning had amounted to two
and a half inches.
This morning the storm, which has
passed through all the phases shown
by the storms of summer, fall, spring
and winter, turned into heavy snow
fall. The flakes fell as thickly as at
almost any time during the winter,
adding to the disagreeable conditions
underfoot. No storm in months has
been responsible for so much dis
comfort as the weather conditions
of the entire week.
Grip an Epidemic
An epidemic of colds and grip that
had already been troubling the resi-
dents of this vicinity, is breaking out
anew, and there is hardly an Office
h CI a
to the sick list. The grip and colds
have been brought on in almost un-
precedented numbers by the sloppy
walking conditions, and the damp
ness pervading the air.
The weatherman promises no let
up in the near freezing temperature.
1t has hovered around the freez-
ing point for forty-eight hours and
until late to-day will continue to do
so. At no time during the day and
night is a temperature of higher
than Sc degrees promised.
The scurry to the coal yards which
began a couple of days ago con-
tinues. and many who were without
fires during the mild weather last
week are finding it increasingly diff
cult to be taken care of during the
last two days. Dealers, too, are
having difficulty making deliveries
during the rough weather.
Wires Are Down
The prolonged storm with its
accommodating weight of sleet and
snow, is causing the telephone and
telegraph companies much confusion
and in some cases is demoralizinS
the service.
The Cum mberland Valley Telephone
Company appears hardest hit by the
storm. The service outside the city
is suffering. Many are out of serv-
ice. Between this city and Carlisle
and between here and Gettysburg
continued. The lines of the company
as far as Martinsburg, West Vir-
ginia, have suffered seriously from
the effects of the storm.
The Western Union lines have also
been hit by the storm. A break be-
tween this city and Pittsburgh oc-
Cured yesterday. and the service be-
tween here and Philadelphia was in
terrupted by a break in the vicinity
of Philadelphia last night. The
trouble to the west has been reme-
died, while provisions have been
made to take care of service to the
east.
Many Poles Fall
The Postal Telegraph also report
ed trouble to-day. The most of their
trouble centers between here and
Carlisle, where more than a hundred
poles are said to be down. Trouble
in the vicinity of Philadelphia on
the Postal lines was reported to-day.
This delays service eastward, as the
routes remaining open become con-
gested.
From Philadelphia to point
thirty miles west of the city, the
lines of the American Telephone
and Telegraph Company are report
ed damaged by the heavy storm.
During the night and to-day mes
sages east and west have been sent
on other routes. While service has
not been interrupted, the routes re-
naming open are effected by the in
creased congestion.
Little wire damage has occurred