New Britain herald., 1924-08-07
CITY BROILS WHILE MERCURY CLIMBS
Hottest Day yet.-FactOrles Forced
 tO Close Down
TEMPERATURE NEARLY 100
Read ST in shade And Humidity Is 30 Per Cent o,er Nor mal-Firemen Treat Youngsters To Good Buclsing,

Relief from the intense heat Of the past several days that was predicted in the weather forecasts in the form of showers, failed 10 materializs here today. and instead, the thermometers about the city showd higher tenn perature than was experienced yester- day. Unofficial hygrometers read that the humidity Of the atmosphere has almost reached the point of full sat- uration, reading e7 per cent Ther- mometers read 97', which Is two de- erees highe' than yesterdays reading. The normal humidity is in to co per cent.
 As A result Of the unusually high humidity and temperature business in the city was almost at a standstill during the afternoon, many Of the faeiories being forced to close, and in other places of business, some or the employees were sent to their homes suffering from the effects of the heat
 The early part Of the afternoon saw the roads to the beaches lined with machines bearing local residents away from the heat Of the city. and many without machines crowded onto the trolley cars going to nearby lakes.
 Many noval methods were tried in an effort to get relief from the heat, but 1t was left to No. fire depart rent to bring forth scheme that was more than appreciated by throns of children. A line Of hose was laid into a hydrant at the station and the water played on children in that section of the city.
 Factories Forced to Close.
 Thousands of New Britain factory and office workers were afforded an opportunity to cool themselves off and relieve themselves from the intense heat by driving to nearby shore and mountain breezes this afternoon to tack a dip or enjoy the breezes blowing from the waters when five factories closed their entire plants at noon, others closed various depart ments and two closeds the offices. Those who could not drive away from the city did all that was within their power to keep cool at home or by sit- ting in the shade of trees in the city parks. The shady spots of Walnut Hill were filled by hundreds of labor CTS from the factories seeking relief from the terrific heat.
 Both the offices and factory closed for the afternoon at the Stanley Works and the Stanley, Rule & Level Co.,, plants. Landers, Frary & Clark and Hart & Cooley's closed their fac tories at noon while the employees in the factory at Fafnir Bearing com pany were allowed to leave at 2 o'clock this afternoon. The foundry at North & Judd's was closed through out the entire day and at Landers the office force was dismissed for the rest of the day at 3 o'clock. At other fac tories in the city plans were being | made to close before the end of the | lay.
 The thermometer registered as high IS 100 degrees in many of the hot 'actory rooms and many workers were orced to seek relief at the open win lows and in rest rooms to prevent being overcome by the heat. When actory officials saw no relief in sight rom the intense heat, 1t was decided test to close the plants.
 Shower for Youngsters
 Shower baths for from 500 to TOO hildren of the northern part of the ity are being given at No engine ouse under careful supervision of
 fContirued On Pa1e 1oA