Evening star., 1961-02-08
SNOW

SNOW
. Continued From First Page
then was too late to gain any
advantage by dismissals after
pm.
Western Maryland was hit
hard and, like many other
areas, was hazardous for driv-
ing. From Frederick County
westward through the Alle-
ghenys 5 to 10 inches Of new
snow had fallen, with at least
& more inches expected.
Most Of the snow was to the
west Of downtown Washington,
and the rain to the south and
southeast. In between was a
mixture of rain, sleet, snow
and freezing rain.
Weary snow-fighters. as un-
certain as the weather itself
about which way to go, bravely
fought slippery roads and
streets with sand and salt this
morning. But it was a losing
battle as traffic snarls bobbed
UP everywhere.
Snow Plans Evoked
At $50 am. District officials
invoked Snow Emergency Plan /,
making motorists liable to ar
rest should their cars stall be-
cause of inadequate chains or
snow tires. Plan 3, urging
that non-essential trips be de-
layed. also was in effect.
:. All nearby county schools
closed rather than hazard the
lee-coated roads. District schools
remained open.
NToeexpedite morning District
traffic. all available policemen
were stationed at intersections.
Deputy Chief Lorraine T. John
son ordered all midnight men
70 remain on early morning
duty and called out 80 men
from the training school.
William A. xanten, Sanitary
Division superintendent, lead
ing the snow-fighting all night
and today, estimated the cost,
to the District at about $3.50, 900,
which would raise the winters
snow expense to more than 81
million.
All available men and ma
chinery were modified when
the storm began. Today it was
necessary to withdraw plows,
while sanding and sailing con-
tinued, until after the evening
rush hour.
Delicate Decision
whether or not we use the
plowS is a delicate decision,"
said Mr.. Xanten, who has been
trying to outguess the weather
for 80 years. 1T depends on the
temperature. It may be better
not to plow. If it is sufficiently
warm for traffic to cause a
Ttln-off Of the slush. If we plow
windrows and these freeze, the
cost may be much greater
later on"
The new storm officially be-
gan at 1920 last night. The
change from sleet to snow to
rain, and sometimes all three
together, was so frequent the
weather observer could hardly
keep up with it.
Hard-hit Loudoun County,
struggling to shake free of huge
snow drifts. reported another
z inches today. The schools re-
manned closed for the 18th day
since December II. Schools
also were shut down in Clarke
and Frederick Counties, Va.
and jefferson County, w. Va.
Loudoun schools will remain
closed the rest of the week.
Bowie Stays Closed
linked Bowie Race Track,
trying to operate for the first
time since last weeks train
wreck and fire, just couldn't
make it again today. The meet
ing is postponed now until Sat-
urday.
The accumulation Of snow
caused collapse of a carport at
the home Of Mrs. Ella May
Nichols, 1918 North Dale drive,
Annandale, Va. Under it a 1861
Falcon was buried in the snow
and debris.
The accident occurred a short
time before Mrs. Nichols was
planning to drive the car to
work. The carport, supported
by aluminium grillwork, was
added to the house about two
years ago.
Shortly after 8 am, about
$4,000 homes and businesses of
the Cherrydale area in Arling-
ton were darkened for an hour
by a power failure.
An ice-laden limb downed a
power line near Military and
Glebe roads, and road condi-
tions delayed repairmen en-
route to the scene.
Among the morning tie-ups
was one at jefferson Davis
highway and South Twenty.
eighth street in Arlington.