Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-01-06
HIGH TIDE PASSED
IN D. C. GAS CRISIS
Statement Following Siren
uous Work of Experts in
ThaWing Out Pipes.
WARMER WEATHER HELPS

The high tide in Washington's gas
crisis has been reached and passed.
This was the positive statement OF
oficials of the Washington Gas Light
Company last night. following the most
strenuous day of relief work the forces
of gas experts ever performed. More
than a thousand homes, in which frozen
gas meters and service pipes added to
the distress caused by q lack of fuel,
had been visited up to a late hour last
night and it was expected the total
number of homes in which gas equip
ment was overhauled and adjusted
would go several hundred above that
figure
Scores of patrons telephoned the office
yesterday that their gas service was
resumed automatically with the rise in
temperature This condition was ex
pected to continue today. and officials
are confident that the situation will be
greatly improved by tomorrow unless
colder weather sets in.
Hot-Water Remedy Suggested.
Householders can in many instances
thaw out their gas meters by the use
of hot water. and thus save themselves
trouble and delay and enable the ex-
perts from the company to visit homes
in which the trouble lies not in the
"ctcFbr out III inc service pipes inside
the walls of houses, it was said last
night
An extra force was on duty at the
offices Of the gas company on 10th
orders according to sections of the
city and time of report. Several hun
dred orders will be turned over to gas
ntters today. in order that maximum
many homes.
With the worst period OF the cold spell
passed. it is believed by officials that
next week will witness a general ietup
in the fuel crisis throughout the city.
Sufficient oil used in the manufacture Of
gas is on hand at present, according to
company officials. to divorce the fear of
gas shortage from other phases of the
fuel situation here.
Visible Improvement Noted.
Encouraged by a visible improve
ment in conditions during the day, gas
company heads stated last night that
homes which had to do without warm
meals yesterday on account of frozen
pipes probably will be supplied without
difficulty today.
An emergency hospital has been es-
tablished at the company's office to in
sure Immediate treatment of workers
who are overcome by gas while thaw
ing out meters or pipes. Thus far not
an accident of this kind has taken
place. although workers have had to
conditions. IL was said
Washington ordinarily uses 1000
600 cubic feet of gas daily. Now the
average daily consumption here is up
ward of 100000 cubic feet The in
creased use became evident shortly be-
fore Christmas. when cold weather set |
In and coal supplies were exhausted
Number Of Homes Visited.
The number of District homes Wis
TIED Friday by gas workers where |
pipes were thawed out was 1852 |
Workers will be on duty all Of today
attending to complaints. |
In order to reduce TO the lowest DOS
sible minimum the waste OF time by
Easntfers during the present emergency
period, the company has provided cots
In the basement Of the ONCE, where en- |
pioyes may stay at night. Long
tables have been put up on which meals |
are served.
For todays dinner the relief workers
will have roast beef vegetables, fruits /
and dehcacies. A hotel chef prepares the |
meals.
Suffering of gas jets. which occurred |
In many District aousse yesterday. will |
not occur again unless there 10 a heayy
drop In the temperature, officials as
serted.