The Washington times., 1902-12-10
Popular Mass Meeting May
Soon BE Called 10 Discuss
Desperate Need and Sug-
gesf Measures for Relief.
Continued Cold Last NIGH
Results in Greater Suffer
ing Than Ever, and Pa
Hefic Cases are Reported.
COHg1eSS Acton Nay Be
Asked 10 Encourage In
PoaafEOR Of Foreign Coal
as OHiY Remedy for Case.

Us OHfP NemedY TOF Case.
The suffering Of the poor, the inability
Of the middle classes to secure necessary
fuel. the failure Of the citizens commit
tee to take any action looking to the re-
lief OF the situation. and the decreased
shipments Of coal to this market desplte
the promises or the Reading ami other
officials. are gradually forcing the nselves
upon the attention OF the community and
lending strength TO the demand for a
popular mass meeting Committees may
be appointed 10 cooperate with the coal
dealers.
The continued cold last night resulted
IN even greater suffering than in the
night before. although the thermometer
reached only p degrees. or two degrees
warmer than on Monday night. The police
have discovered many cases Of suffering.
and are co-0peratiaE with the Associated
Charities in anordtng relief
In Desperate Straits.
A patrolman last night caught an old
coiored man tearing down the back fence
70 vacant house in order TO slIpply
fuel for the little shanty in which be
lived Turning TO a reporter who was
with him. he said:
Who could have the heart TO take
that old man to the stationhOuse. I'd
give up my job first
Directing the man TO repair the dam
age he had done the policeman placed a
piece oEsilver in his hand and told hiuc
10 buy a pail Of coal
Johnson Brothers received sor,ething
less than their normal supply 3f coal
from the mines Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad this morning. but that from
the Reading mines was delayed several
hours. and was not much when il final
ly arrived. Yesterday two trains OF
coal came in from the Reading company,
containing about sixty cars The aver
age for the past four days. however.
has been less than it was prior TO the
visit Of the citizens committee 10
Philadelphia.
Appeals to Congressman.
The appeals to Congressman from
their constituents fin all parts Of the
country is having its effect, and the
matter OF Congress action is not an i'm
in the near future.
II has been suggested that the only
relief must be looked f0l outside OF the
country. although foreign coal is not as
good for fuel as the domestic anthracite
OF the Pennsylvania mines. Any action
that may be taken by Congress. il is
said. viii be along the line or encourag-
ing the Importation Of the foreign coal.
rather than interfering with the mine
operators and dealers, most OF whom
are conscienuousIy struggling to ac-
complish the imnnssihIe
Leaders alone are lacking to insure
a roUsing mass meeting in this city.
and it is not an improbabiUty that some
OF the dealers may take the ilr. ative
in calling IT, NveraI Of them said to-
day that they would have run the risk
Of calling such a meeting were it not
for the fact that they are kept busy
day and night trying TO hurry coal TO
those that need iL
Claims Of Dealers.
III such action originates with us"
others said. athe charge will be made
that We are only trying TO precipitatc
crisis FOR our own bettermenL As a
matter OF fact. no such action could
benefit us other than in the benefit that
it would be to the community. We
could take orders for $4,000 tons OF coal
today az SIS a ton IL we could undertakes
to deliver it within the week Despite
his fact we are delivering every pound
hat we can secure at S7.25
Plans are now under consideration.
md there is little doubt but that meet
ing of citizens will bc called within the
next few DAYS. It viii De called uDon.
u connection with other matters that
will come up for its consideration. 20
determine upon the formation Of syn
lcute 20 import coal. The prices that
have been quoted by New York shipping
agents, from S2-S5 20 $3.50 FOR the best
.oal transported 90 this city. with only
lighterage. and delivery 20 be
ldded. is considered abnormalIy low by
he local dealers. who have investigated
he case. but al any rate it is said to be
he only relief in sight.
In Heart of City.
Within @ stones throw Of the center
IT the city. at Seventh Street and Penn
ylvania Avenue. pitiful case was
ound yesterday that but for the activity
If the Associated Charities would have
resulted in the death OF a
mother and her child