Evening star., 1942-12-21
Weather
Continued From First Page.

area has had limited gas supplies
for some time, he said.
Abnormally cold weather COM
blned with the fuel shortage yes
terday to place the heaviest load in
the company's history on gas
pumping facilities, Mr.. Boothby
explained. The company has at
tempted for six to eight months
TO increase pumping facilities. but
delivery of new equipment has been
delayed by war conditions. The
broadcasts asking limited use of
gas heating facilities were decided
on at am, when company off,
cials feared the early morning cold
might cause gas use too great for
the pumps to handle, he said
Three Schools in County Close.
Three schools in Montgomery
County, Nd, failed to hold classes
this morning.
DR.. E. w. Broome, superintendent
Of schools, said the schools were the
Leland Junior High School at Be-
thesda, the Woodside Elementary
School and kenSington Junior High
School.
The Leland School has had
trouble with its heating plant for
several days and it was decided to
close the school until after the holi-
days when the plant was not in
working order this morning The
other two schools also are expected
to remain closed until after the holi-
days, DR. Broome said. All county
schools close Wednesday,
In Prince Georges the Fairmont
Heights Elementary School was
closed because of ice in the plumb
ing, and the District Heights Schoo
closed because a new janitor was
unable to get up enough heat, ac-
cording to County Supt. of Schools
Nicholas Orem. Prince Georges
also will close all schools for the
holidays on Wednesday,.
Many Stranded on Streets.
Many persons were left stranded
on street corners as they watched
bus after bus go by without stopping
Persons forced to depend on the
transit system because of stalled
automobiles added to the hundred:
of persons waiting at bus stops
One person waiting at Florida
and Connecticut avenues NV. saio
she waited while eight buses went
by without Stopplne-with the Bus
Full" sign out in some instances.
The Capital Transit Co, reported
"overcrowding on all lines" early
this morning, despite the fact that
there were 70 more units in opera.
ton than Saturday, 688 streetcars
and 867 buses being used, In an
effort to deal with the transporta-
ton problem this morning, one
earlier trip was made on all lines
and in some instances, one latei
trip.
Meanwhile, garages and auto
mobile service clubs were deluged
with calls from persons whose auto
mobiles stalled.
Frozen batteries knocked 81 Cap.
ital Transit Co buses out OF service
this morning, the company reported
A few street cars also were kept Out
of service by cold damage
The shortage of manpower for
garages caused such congestion
according to the American Auto
mobile Association, that most
garages were three or four hours
behind in answering calls.
Due to the manpower situation
there are about "a per cent fewer
mechanics now in Washington, ac-
cording to the AAA. With the extra
duties thrown on gas stations. such
as tire inspections and ration cou-
pons, the situation. according to the
AAA, is more difficult during this
cold spell than ever before.
Woman Overcome by Gas.
Ida Freeman, rs, was treated at
Casualty Hospital for carbon mo-
noxide poisoning last night after she
vas found lying besiIs a lighted gas