New-York tribune., 1921-02-23
Thaw Aids CITY
Clear Streets
OF Snow Banks
Thoroughfares Opened Up
to All Traffic and
transportation Systems
Rum ON Schedule Time
Another Death Reported
Failure of Predicted New
Storm 10 Materialize
Makes Clean-Up Easier

The city's streets to-day are vir-
tually open to all kinds of traffic and
its transportation systems are running
on schedule. This result was achieved
yesterday chiefly by the fact that the
light traffic of the holiday and the
rising temperature permitted the 10000
men engaged in snow removal to carry
on their operations without interrupt
ton.
Another important factor was the
failure of the predicted snow storm to
materializc. The brief period yester-
day morning wher light snow fiurries
came down did not in any way hamper
the task of removing the blockade
caused by Sundays blizzard. The
higher temperature permitted the trac-
tors equipped with pusher pIows to
attack the snow piles on the principal
thoroughfares and push the snow into
the sewers. This greatly accelerated
the removal and enabled the use of the
contractors carts on the side streets,
An example of the extreme danger
the city is subjected to every snow
storm was vividly illustrated in sDec-
tacular fire which started IN a factory
ct $50 Throop Avenue, Brooklyn. ai-
lolnlng two big tenement houses Two
alarms were turned in and when the fire
, h3ht}ng apparatus was tardv in arriv-
ing because of the difficulty in neroti-
oting the snow-covercd streets another
'l2rm was sounded. The tenants were
routed out into the streets and stood
shlverlng there while the firemen
fought to subdue the blaze. This was
not accomplished until more than $780,
goo loss had been sustained and two
hremen slightly injured.
The danger Of any catastrophe from
lire, however, is now at an end, ac-
cordlng to statement by Fire Chief
henlon, who declared that the men of
ms department who have been aiding
n snow removal work have COMPLETED
the essential part IF their work. "The
streets" he said, care in such condi-
ftNn now as to give US little trouble in
sending equipment to fght any blaze.
Ihls is the first big storm that has
been handled in the first two days"
Another death was added to the list
! directly attributable to the storm when
William Walsh, 46 years old, n special
policeman employed by the INTERIOR
ough Rapid Transit Company, died in
ST: Johns Hospital, Long Island City,
following fall from the porch OF his
home. There were also several minor
accidents on the streets yesterday due
% falls on the icy pavements.
AL! the main line railroads and the
rapid transit companies reported their
rains running close to normal sched-
ule. Traffic yesterday ran on holiday
schedules and gave the working gangs
opportunity to remove the last yes
tires of blockade.
In the streets special attention was
paid TO clearing cutters and spaces
around fire hydrants. Commissioner
John ?. Leo issued special appeal to
householders to cooperate by complying
with the city's ordinances in these re-
spects.
Transit communication with City
Island was restored yesterday when
the ninemile route from the Bronx
vas opened up TO motor travel. The
situation on Staten Island, which was
bHd Monday, ALSO was overcome yester-
day. ana transit facilities restored to
normal activity.
The forces of snow workers in Man.
haitian yesterday were concentrated on
the West Side, with instructions to
open up the streets along the piers Of
the North River, so THAT She citys food
supply could come forward without
delay. This was also the case in the
vicinity Of the markets.
The Barber Greene snow loader
which attracted crowds in the neiga-
horhood Of the Municipal Building is to
be put IN operation on Fifth Avenue
to-day upon the snow piles that are
packed in the middle of that thorough
fare. Mayor Hylan is expected to At
tempt its operation.