Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-29
NO RELIEF IN SIGHT
Coal Famine's Grasp on City
Becomes Tighter.
COM NJ ISSI0NER ACT
COMMITTEE OF BUSINESS MEN
WILL INVESTIGATE.
Few Car Loads Arrive at the Benning
Yards, a Part Consigned to
Southern Cities.
COMMISSIONERS ACT

If the people OF Washington are being
disseminated against by the coal-carryIng
railroads, as now seems to be the case the
facts of the matter will soon be made
known and such action will follow as will
best suit the requirements of the situation.
The District Commissioners this morning
appointed a committee OF citizens chosen
by the presidents OF the Board of Trade and
the Business Mems Association, to investi-
gate the charges of discrimination and to
determine what steps are necessary and
can be taken toward breaking the deadlock
which Is apparently cutting Washington off
entirely from the coal supply now being
shipped from the anthracite mines
The committee was appointed upon the
motion of Commissioner Macfarland, the
pl lesident of the local board. 1t has been
| represented to the Commissioners by Presi-
dent Thomas w. Smith of the Board of
Trade and other officers of that organi-
cation that some action should be taken
at once to prevent a possible coal famine
In this city In midwinter, with all its dis
astrous consequences. Commissioner Mac
farland took up the matter and, after con-
sultation with a number of prominent citi-
zenS recommended to his associate Com
missioners that the situation should be
treated as an exceptional case, warranting
the intervention which is proposed
Commissioner Macfarland states that as
matter which affected the well-being of
the entire District, and the health as we'll
as the comfort. of every home, 1t could be
distinguished easily and properly from the
ordinary commercial operations, so as to
deserve and receive the attention of the ex-
ecutive government of the District of CO.
lumbid. 1t was agreed by the other COM
missioners that this was the case, and
thereupOn the action was taken.
Mr.. Macfarland suggested the appointment
OF committee of ten, composed of five
members of the Board of Trade and five
members of the Business Mems ASSOcia-
ton. He consulted with MIR. Smith, presi-
dent of the Board of Trade, and with Presi-
dent Guide of the business mems organiza-
ton. Mr.. Macfarland asked Mr.. Smith to
act chairman of the committee. and he
consented to do SO. President Gude will
also be a member of the committee the
complete personnel of which is follows:
| Board of Trade-Thomas w. Smith, John
Joy Edison, George Truesdell E Southard
Parker and W. s. Henderson.
Business Mems Association-W. F. Guide
R. P. Andrews, l.. p Shoemaker, John
Doyle Carmody and Barry Bulkley.
1t was agreed that the first meeting of the
committee should be held Monday after
noon at O'Clock in the rooms of the Board
of Trade, Star building.
The committee which will investigate the
charges of determinations popularity
brought against the railroads will have no
official status except such as is carried by
their appointment by the governing body oe
the District of Columbia. The committee
VIII proceed, however, to inquire into the
situation and see what can be done to re-
lieve 1t. Coal is needed in Washington. It
is absolutely essential that the people
should have It. The coal is being mined,
but none IS coming to Washington. The
committee will inquire into the reason for
and the meaning of this. The committee
will report back to the Commissioners and
it will then be determined what action shall
be taken.