Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-28
FREAK SNOWSTORM
SKATERS RECORD
OF LAST 6 YEARS
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~ @NS
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a depth of 9.3 INCHES was reached. This
thickness was added to fall of l inch
already remaining from a previous
storm. Other heavy snowfallS occurred
January and ,. 1925. when thick
ness of IS inches was recorded; March
6 and 7, 1923. when more than G
inches fell, and March IL. 1924. when a
4-inch blanket covered the city.
The sharp drop i'll temperature to-
night will furnish a marked departure
from the moderate temperatures which
have been prevailing so far this month
ForecaSter Mitchell said that January
has been five degrees above normal in
temperature. to date, while December
was degrees above normal and No
vember degrees above normal.
The forecaster said that the storm
which began last midnight was of APP
proXimateiy local origin. He described
it as a developing disturbance" fol-
lowing in the footsteps of two weak dis
turbances converging in this fore EAST
area. One of the disturbances, ne cX-
planned came from the lake region and
the other from Florida. to form a storm
center somewhere over Virginia.
This morning the storm was moving
rapidly along the Virginia Capes toward
Atlantic City. in enthusiastically di-
rection Indications were for clearing
weather this afternoon in this vicinity.
Washington reported the heaviest
snowfall of any city in the storm area.
Baltimore had siX-inch fall at 10
o'clock this morning. Scranton. Pa was
the fartheSt north city to report visit
by the storm The depth there was two
or three inches,
Extent OF Storm Area.
The storm area this morning was
confined 10 Virginia. the District of
Columbia. Maryland and eastern Penn
Sylvania
The storm which preceded the COL
lapse of the Knickerbocker Theater be-
gan at 4:20 O'Clock the afternoon of
January 81. 1922. and continued all day
the following Saturday and until 10 80
Sunday morning 1t was the worst
snowstorm since the famous blizzard Of
February 1913. 1899. when 20.5 inches
of snow was piled on top of a previous
0SpAlI va 49, wink NIX
ture went down to Is degrees below
"A Sweepers on Job.
The Washington Railway g. Electric
Co. experienced little delay on its lines,
c. Melvin Sharpe. executive assistant 10
the president. said today. Twenty-four
sweepers and Is plows are on the job.
~ hn CT loyanc r1aar for
traffic and the company is cooperating
with the District authorities and
cleaning away the snow feet on each
side of the tracks. Mr. Sharpe explained.
Forty-two auxiliary plows and sweepers
we're in operation and more than 100
extra men employed All equipment is
in service The company has AGO street
cars and rs BUSES running today. Mr..
Sharpe said. the first sweeper getting
out shortly after midnight to clear the
way.
The Capital Traction Co. officials re-
ported little handicap due to the storm,
explaining that while in some places
delay of as much as 80 minutes was
experienced. both street cars and
buses were running about on sched-
ule. as a general rule. Eleven sweep
ers and Eve scrapers are in use and
shortly after midnight the company
had its first snow-cleaning equipment
at work About 100 men are assigned
to the Job of keeping the snow cleared
from the tracks and in addition men
are sweeping off platforms to aid the
public. Oficials said no extra service
was arranged for.
Bus Service Normal.
The Washington Rapid Transit Co
reported that its 81 buses were all in
operation and running 100 per cent"
with all equipment in use and with
a couple of snow piows clearing
path for the machines Private au-
tomobiles stalled in the snow forced
more passengers 20 the buses.
The Washington. Baltimore 81 An
napolis Railroad Co. reported that its
cars we're running about 5 minutes late
ana that local business was heavy. The
regular extra Saturday service In opera
ton today affords the public a half
hour schedule. A couple of snow plows
were In operation.
The Washington Virginia Railway
Co. said its cars were running on sched-
ule following a little delay earlv in the
morning. Reserve men we're called into
service and a snow pillow and snow
sweeper were at work. keeping the
tracks clear OF snow.
The Offices Of the taxicab companies
we're swamped with calls for service.
~hich In many cases they were unable
70 supply. temporarily
The Norfolk IL Washington Steam
boat Co.'S vessel Norihiand that phys
between the Capital and Norfolk arrived
from the Virginia city this morning at
$50 O'Clock. two hours late. forced to
20 slow because Of the poor visibility In
the srowstorn
Due to- the tremendous speed at
which the generators are being used 10
supply the needed power and To a me-
chan!cal defect which became apparent
In generator at Benning as a result
ot this. power vent dead for eight or
nine minutes on the Mount Pleasant
ear line. Mr. Sharpe explained. This
occurred about II O'Clock While the
company received reports Of buses slid
ing and slipping into the curbings. due
10 the snow, mfr Sharpe said there
we're no accidents The blIsses he
said, were equipped with new chains for
this occasion, ana Scrapcrs were busy
clearing the way