Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-18
FAMINE CAUSES SICKNESS.
Phyicians Report Many Cases of Pneu-
monia and Kindred Diseases.

A perceptible increase in the number of
cases Of pneumonia and hard colds among
the people Of Washington is directly attrib-
utahle, according to the opinions cf dozen
or more physicians seen today, to the fuel
famine that has the city in it's grasp.
Physicians are called daily TO a large
number of homes Of all classes, and they
are perhaps better able to judge the cendi-
tions that actually exist than any one else.
Those who would talk today coincided III
the general statement that in nearly every
house they visit only few rooms are
heated. housewives and fam lies exercising
the most rigid economy in the use of what
coal they have been able to get.
OF the increase in the number of cases or
sickness noted above, the majority are
women. Disease is produced by going from
heated rooms into other parts of houses
where there is no heat.
In many houses throughout the city. rich
and poor alike, furnaces have been aban-
doned because of inability to get coal and
the only heat obtained is by CRATES, l2trobes
or oil and gas stoves.
Mr.. Lounsbury, the Philadelphia and
Reading Coal and Iron COmpany's local
sales agent, said this afternoon that his
report of the number of cars of coal TO be
shipped to Washington was late in rea ching
him and he did not know how many would
be received. are on their way. He said.
however, that he expected the usual
amount.
At the freight offices of the Pennsylvania
railroad it was said that coal was coming
in from time to time. Since the embargo
against Washington was raised by the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, consider
able quantity of bituminous coal has been
brought to the city from the mines in Vir-
ginia.
Demand Increases.
With the coal that comes to the city from
all sources the demand continues to in
crease This is due TO the cold weather OF
the past few weeks. There are many homes
in Washington that are absolutely void OF
coal, occupants struggling along after a
fashion with oil stoves. These stoves are
unsatisfactory and inadequate to heat
rooms as they should be heated In these
homes there has been much suffering.
The United States Electric Lighting Com
pany received carload of coal at the Bal
timore and Ohio yards this morning This
will tide the company over for a week or So
Prices Soar High.
The price of hard coal from the indepen-
dent operators was s12 today. One dealer
charged $3.50 for half ton delivered to
consumer. Soft coal at retail brought IS,
and the demand at that price was many
times in excess Of the supply.
Retail dealers Of coal are advising the use
of oil stoves when they cannot fill orders.
The situation today is no better than yes
terday, and the indications are that II Will
be worse. 1t behooves every one to be az
economical as possible in the use OF coal
and all other substitutes that may be
adopted.
Situation on c. and o.
The statement published few days ago
to the effect that the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad could deliver coal In Washington
from the New River region, emanated from
reliable sources. according to Mr.. w. 8.
Bronson, assistant general passenger agent
of that system. Mr.. Bronson stated this
afternoon that the report that there were
impediments which rendered 1t difficulty
for his road to transport coal was incor-
rect and without foundation, and declared
that he wanted il known that there Is no
ambargo on coal being brought to WASH
ington over the Chesapeake and Ohio lines.
Continuing Mr.. Bronson declared that
his road will bring all coal to Washington