Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-12-25
THE FUEL FAMINE.
How the Effects ofthe Coal Strike Are
Felt in Vermont.

Felt in Vermont.
The st. Adams free library is closed
for lack of fuel. The Cong'l society
will hold services in the chapel, instead
of heating the auditorium, saving the
coal for distribution among the needy
families of the society. The st. Adams
hospital is very short of fuel. Most OF
the business concerns have small
supply OF coal, but are saving it and
trying to keep warm with wood. There
is no coal to be bought in st. Adams.
Dry wood sells at $40 and green at 80.
Burlington, being a coal depot, has
taken care of itself, but has no coal to
send outside. About 2000 tons is held
for home supply, which will last two
weeks. Hundreds OF urgent appeals.
coming from all over the state, have to
be denied. With the lake frozen, all
coal must come by rail. A few car
loads day are being received but it
becomes harder and harder to get each
day. Soft coal also is getting scarce,
and the piles in the coal yards are
dwindling at a rapid rate. The price
of anthracite coal, stove and nut, is IS
per ton. and the Lehigh grades cost
more. The schools and churches of
the city are fairly well provided for
some time to come.
At Rutland, the schools are very
short OF fuel and the holiday vacation
comes opportunity. The Rutland
Railroad company had several thou
sand tons of soft coal in its yard, from
which nearby residents were helping
themselves. The company caused the
arrest and fine of about 25 of the pur-
loiners, who had to pay SO apiece.
In Montpelier not pound OF anthra-
cite coal was TO be had last week and
only one car of soft coal remained to
supply the overloaded demands for
this article. Wood is quoted at IS
cord, but is selling by the load at
prices averaging Sl2 cord. The
school directors have only two weeks
supply, after which they must close
the schools. Several churches have
decided to have all future services in
their vestries.
Supt. f. W. Stanyan of the Mont
pelier & Wells River railroad has been
begged by Barre granite manufactur
ers TO get coal for them to run their
engines and blacksmith shops. A
complete shutdown of the granite
industry is threatened il coal cannot
be secured. All bituminous coal con-
signed TO that section has been con-
fiscared by the railroads. The closing
up OF the granite sheds would throw
three thousand men out OF employ
ment.
The Pittsford Mtg. Co. is obliged to
use Ignite, brought from Forestdale.
The mill of the Rutland-Florence
Marble Co.. Florence, has been closed |
ON account OF shortage of coal.
The quarry of the Columbian Marble
Co., Proctor, was shut down for a few |
days last week on account of the COM
pany's inability TO obtain the neces-
sary fuel for the boilers in use at the
quarry.
There is no coal at Bennington.
Wood sells at $3.50.
Farmers in Windsor county are com
to bring in green wood,
which sells readily. AT present prices,
wood. II and 10 inch dry, fitted
ior stove use. commands SS.e0a cord
I foot dry, mixed, 500; and good
green maple from 5000 to 500.
Average wage earners complain that
It present prices for fuel they have no
money left at the end of the month
liter paying rent and buying neces-
'ary supplies for their families.
The price OF soft coal advanced 81
on last week at Brattleboro and now
sells for $40 with a probability of its
to Sl2 in the near future.
There is no change in the hard coal
anime, the dealers being able TO
supply only small percentage OF the
demands. Owing to a shortage of
,oal it was found necessary to close
he Canal street school.