The New York herald., 1921-02-21

through drifts for half mile on his
way from the railroad station at Grant
City TO his home His son. William,
stumbled over the body as he made his
way 10 the depot.
As Fourth avenue subway train
drew up to the Prospect avenue station
In Brooklyn Mrs julia Aamodt OF $50
I'ifty-ninth street, Brooklyn. took step
toward il. ice on her heel caused her
TO slip, and she fell directly on the rails,
Before her husband or son, who were
with her, could make a move the train
had passed over her body. She was
killed instantly. Her body was removed
from under the second truck of the first
car by firemen after an hours work.
The first accident due 20 the storm
took place shortly after midnight yes
terday morning. Policeman George f
smith of 206 Highland place stepped in
front OF trolley car at Flushing avenue
and Ryerson street while his eyes were
blinded by the drifting snow. The car
struck him. fra6turing his skull He died
later in the Cumberland Stree. Hospital
Numerous other accidents, although
not so many as would have occurred on
a weekday were reported from every
section OF the city. With both drivers
and pedestrians blinded by the fierce
gusts of snow and with footing every
where precarious and slSiddng frequent
the matter Of crossing street was an
adventure.
The New York Telephone Company,
anticipating trouble, Kept most OF ITS
operators near the centrais At which
they were employed Girls were marched
in squads TO various hotels where they
rested IN preparat;on(for strenuous times
to-day. Telephone traffic - heaviest
when other traffic is delayed or paral-
wed. Calls wer- sent out TO regular
and emergency operators to come to
work an hour earlier than usual to-day
ships Drag Their Anchors.
The gale did mischief ahoat as well
as ashore, for many OF the ships lying
at anchor off Clifton. Stapleton and
other points around the harbor dragged
anchor during the night and threatened
TO drift ashore All mudhooks were out
on every ship and steam was kept up
lest they fail.
The street cleaning forces got under
way a few hours after the first makes
of snow began to flicker down shortly
after midnight. Patrolmen OF the hVe
boroughs were busy during the nlght
hours arousing regular employees and
volunteers From Fire Headquarters the
call "l4-l4 was sent and loo
firemen at the wheels Of the snow buck
ing tractors game out for their long
hard fight,
At the office of the Snow Removal
Bureau on the twenty-fifth floor OF the
Municipal Building. the centre of opera
tions Against the blizzard. il was said in
the afternoon that 150 tractors, 200 big
trucks fitted with ploughs. 90 smaller
trucks and 200 ash carts were busy on
AIanhattans streets. The men at work
we're 5000 sweepers. 1000 drivers and
1000 reserves including $500 who had
registered for service Men we're being
employed at 103 stations throughout the
city.
The Bowery turned out its hoboes TO
fight the storm, but it's buns remained
TRANQUILITY viewing the blizzard from the
safe vantage of the second floor of the
lodging houses. The 225 unemployed
men who have been sleeping In the
parish house of St. Marks in the Bou-
werie went out into the storm. as they
had promised. almost 20 a man. The
sidewalks of St Marks were laid bare
of snow by grateful shovellers who
labored for fifty cents an hour. while
these not needed at this work handled
city shovels at sixty-five cents an hour
with extra pay for night work.
street Cars Kept Moving.
The street railways of Manhattan.
The Bronx and Brooklyn ran slowly, but
they ran. The snow did not freeze in
the slots of the underground systems,
nor did the wires of the overhead snap
under the weight Of the snow
"If these trucks would keep off our
tracks we'd be running normal one
Third avenue operating man remarked.
Were doing we'll to-day. buc to-mor-
row when the daily traffic turns out,
were in for trouble"
Broadway and Fifth avenue exhibited
the two different styles Of snow removal.
On Broadway the snow ploughs OF the
street car companies had hurled masses
back on the part of the roadway uncov-
cred by tracks The tractors and the
motor truck ploughs then pushed it near
er 70 the curb. where II rested in piles
which in many places topped the tallest
citizen.
On Fifth avenue. which has no tracks.
the piles. even higher than those on
Broadway. were in the middle of the
street. Most OF the Fifth avenue prom
enaders, and there were a few who
walked with more animation and spirit
than on other days, chose the firm sur
face Of the roadway rather than the side
walks.
on sidewalks everywhere. uncleaned
or cleaned once during the morning. pe-
destrians teetered Indian file along y
narrow path Of hard s.1dden snow. with
DAnkS OF SOlt Wnlle lluII n 1901 niE0
yawning on either side. 4 slip meant n
tumble and a meeting meant wet ankles.
Only one class OF citizen really appre
clated the snowfall Children were out
I'm force.
Elevated trains after dark tanned Jne
splendors of a real old fashioned Fourth
of July. From every shoe rasping along
the icy third rail spurts OF lurid greenish
blue flame burst out.
Food Avenues Kept Open.
out in the middle OF the snowstorm
Street Cleaning Commissioned John p.
Leo and his deputies supervised the
work Particular attention was de-
manded for the streets leading to the
bridges. TO the avenues and important
side streets and to the lower West Side
section. south OF Canal street in which
the great provision firms are located
and where the horse drawn vehicle Is
vet the most popular big advantage
f. given the street cleaners not only
because yesterday was Sunday but be-
cause tomorrow Washngton's Birth
Gay. will be a holiday.
The Downtown League had n force
OF inspectors out looking over the situa-
tion I'm the wholesale food section OF
the city. David Robinson OF the league
said that his organization had 900 men
working TO clear the streets there The