Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-20
HOTTEST July DAY
IN 4 YEARS HERE
CAUSES ONE DEATH
"ProbabIe" Showers Only
Relief Forecast as Tenn
perature Hits 102.
106, HIGHEST IN COUNTRY,
REPORTED IN NEBRASKA
Record Temperatures, Deaths and
Prostrations Reported Through
out North and East.

Washington staggered yesterday I'M
der the highest July temperature it has
experienced in four years, and despite
one death and number of minor heat
prostrations, it bowed weakly to Omaha,
which hung up a thermometer reading
of LOG degrees to be the hottest place
in the United States.
The Capitals 102 degrees, recorded
between and o'clock in the after
noon, took the life Of Mrs. Harry Out
cault 81 years old, who was overcome
in her apartment at 32l7 Connecticut
avenue and died before the Fire Depart
ment rescue squad could reach her. She
was manager of the apartment.
Yesterdays highest temperature COM
pared with 104 degrees which was
reached here July 81, 1926, and, ac-
cording to Chief Forecaster Mitchell Of
the Weather Bureau, was only four de-
grees below the highest temperature ever
recorded in the Capital. That all-time
high mark was 106 degrees and was
registered August 6, 1918. Incidentally,
yesterdays mark represented only the
eighth time in the history Of the Wealth
er Bureau, or since 1871, that the mer-
curry had climbed to 100 degrees.
Little Relief Expected.
Little relief is deemed likely today by
the Weather Bureau, which announced
late last night that Washington prob
ably viii be visited by thunder show
ers this afternoon. AS far as the tenn
perature itself goes, Mr.. Mitchell be-
lieves 1t will be mot quite so warm"
But Washington was by no means the
only hot place yesterday. Reports from
virtually every section east of the Rocky
Mountains and, in general, north of
the Mason-DiXon line showed them
sweltering under record or near-record
temperatures. Baltimore chalked up
1881 degrees at $50 o'clock, and that
reading was IL degrees above the city's
all-time record for the date.
Charlottesville, Va, reported 103 de-
grees and Chicago recorded 10l.6 de-
grees. Out in Omaha, Nebr., where the
temperature for the entire region ranged
at 100 and more, the Catholic bishop
asked every church in his diocese to Of
fer special prayers for a rain which
would salvage heat-ravaged crops.
Death stalked across the countrys
baked region, with 10 dead reported
from various cities and towns In West
seven dead in Ohio, the suicide of q
youth in Nebraska who sought death as
an escape from the heat, and several
drownings which were attributed to des-
perate efforts in search of relief.
threatened ruin of crops In virtually
every section of nearby States added
mental anguish to thousands of planters
who already were suffering with Their
fellowmen in cities the physical dis
comforts Of the heat. The drought in
this part of the country is expected to
reach crisis during the coming week.
Reports from all quarters point out
that the burning crops cannot last
much longer, and unless heavy rains
fall they will be complete failure.
Water Shortage Feared.
Wells have dried up and sturdy
streams have become trickling rivulets
In parched gorges, so that acute water
shortages IN many communities have
resulted in the curtailment of water
use. Many persons are transporting
water for miles.
With less than 10 days supply of
water left IN the reservoir at Burnt
Mills, Md, which supplies thousands of
residents OF nearby Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties, Md, plans
, were rushed yesterday to make a second
connection with the District water sup
ply at Chevy Chase. From this point it
Is hoped to begin pumping 100000 gall
Ions daily by next Tuesday. Added to
the 100000 gallons daily now being
pumped from the Rhode Island avenue
connection, this Is expected to relieve
the Maryland situation somewhat, al
though consumers will be forced to
curtail their use of water unless rain
| falls soon.
Many Arlington County. Va nronertv
| owners today are bemoaning their fate
| for not having availed themselves of the
county water sur ply system, it was
made known last night by County Dr.
recting Engineer G. L. Kinnier. While