Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-22

Leaving in it's wake, 10 date. q toll
of three lives and numerous prostra-
tions, the record breaking heat wave
was surging forward here today with
undiminished momentum toward an
early doom.
The "scorcher" which yesterday
sent the mercury TO an official high
mark of 104 degrees-unprecede
for July in the annals Of the Weather
Bureau-was making a last supreme
effort to do the same today before
collapsing tonight or tomorrow under
the counter assault Of thundershowers
and moderate breezes.
Meanwhile the machinery Of gov
ernment and Of private business was
seriously retarded or, in some in
stances, wholly paralyzed. while suf-
fering employees sought relief in parks,
at bathing places or in other spots
protected from the whiting rays OF the
sun.
Most of the Federal departments
or branches were affected again today,
as bureau chiefs received word from
"higher-ups" that many of the Of
fees housed in exposed buildings
might close down for the afternoon.
Employees OF various parts Of the
departments of Commerce. Justice,
State, Labor, Treasury and Post Of
flee were excused at one o'clock and
those of the War Department were
notified they could leave at four.
Only the Interior and Navy Depart
ments appeared not involved in the
shutdown.
One Dies of Sunstroke.
One of those who succumbed yes
terday to the heat was a direct vic
tim of sunstroke. The two others were
drowned while seeking relief in cool
ing waters. The sunstroke victim was
George Downing, colored prisoner,
who was stricken while working on
the District wharf at Water street.
Those drowned were Walter F. Ham
burg, Is years old, of 1854 Four-and-a-
half street southwest, who was swim
ming in the canal near Chain Bridge.
and Brooks Turner, colored cripple,
So, who lost his life last night or this
morning in Rock Creek, near the
Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge, In
Georgetown.
Staffs of hospitals and Government
clinics were kept busy yesterday and
today treating heat sufferers. Staff
physicians of Emergency Hospital re-
sponded to numerous minor calls Tor
aid. in addition to sending its ambu-
lance TO the wharf for Downing.
Among the few persons who accepted
treatment at the hospita. was Milton
Young of 2711 K street, who was par
TALLY prostrated.
Yesterdays Noon Mark Topped.
Forecaster Mitchell announced that
H1y A rNfn
this afternoon, the temperature un-
doubtedly would soar again in prox-
unity to yesterdays high mark. AT
noon the official thermograph at the
Weather Bureau registered SO degrees
a degrees higher than at the same
hour yesterday.
The maximum of 104, registered at
3:45 pm. yesterday, smashed all rec
ords for July since the establishment
of the Weather Bureau in 1870 ana
gave 20 Washington the dubious dis
tinction of being the hottest city IN
the United States for q day, barring
the heat-famous town of Yuma, Ariz..
which equaled Washington's 1O4.
That was just a normal day for Yuma,
however.
"The heat wave will be broken in
this section late tonight or Friday,
Mr.. Mitchell declared with assurance
today. 1.-The temperature Will De
much lower tomorrow. There will be
thundershowers late this afternoon or
tonight and possibly tomorrow morn
ing.
"And it won't be so warm tonight.
Washington has experienced 1O4-
degree or higher temperature on but
three prior occasions, the forecaster
stated. On September z, 1881, 1t was
tO4: on August S, 1918, 1t was 1O6,
and on August z, 1918, it was 104. The
August 6 mark of 106. recorded eight
years ago, was the highest ever reg
istered here.
The previous highest July tempera-
ture in local weather history was 1O2S
degrees, on July IS, 1887.
Health Officer Fowler today issued
a bulletin giving "hot weather hints
as q. precaution against prostration.
His list of advices follows:
"Avoid excessive drinking Of Ice
water.
"Ayoid overexercising.
Wear light clothing and keep out
Of the sun.
Get as much rest as possible.
Eat lightly, nourishing foods
Don't worry"
The District government put Itg
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