From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 1/7/1940, p. 1, c. 5

Cold Closes Local Plant; Lower Today

Winter reached out in a prankish mood this week end as consistent subfreezing weather in Richmond shut down at least one industrial plant and swamped sporting goods stores with orders for ice skates.

In the State at large, the Highway Department yesterday reported the continued cold wave has slowed down work on most roads since shortly before Christmas.

…Evidence that Richmond is suffering a real taste of winter came yesterday in a statement from officials of the Tredegar Iron Works ordering the Fifth Street plant closed tomorrow. It was pointed out that the James River canal, which supplies power for the plant, is clogged with ice and unable to flow.

About 200 men are affected by the shutdown, which the officials said will continue until warmer weather thaws out the ice.

[remainder of article, dealing with unrelated accounts of the cold weather in Richmond, was not transcribed – MDG]

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