Barton County democrat., 1902-11-14

of America.]
fuel who might otherwise shiver and
suffer.
Because of the fuel famine the
merchants have increased the prices
of a number of things, particularly in
the way of prepared foods. The
boarding house keepers and the ho-
tel men have raised their rates; and
gentle almond-eyed John Chinaman
has increased the price of his work.
The gas company and the electric
car lines here are unable to tax the
people, because the acts of congress
forbid them doing so. The managers
of the electric railways say that the
increased cost of fuel eats up all of
their profits, but they are obliged to
keep the cars running, lest they for
felt their charters. Howbeit, they
have cut down the number of cars
by one-third, throwing out of work
several hundred good men, and in
conveniencing the public in very
great measure.
There will be no strike on our
part" says one of the leaders of the
conductors and motormen's union.
eve realize that the company is los
ing money, and we have not been dis
charged. We are furloughed for
week at a time, and then others are
furloughed, while we go to work
again. True, it is hard for any of
us to lose days work, and at this
season OF the year, but we think the
company is doing it's best for all
concerned. Of course, when con-
gress gets here, the company must
run all of it's cars on schedule time,
and then we will all have work. The
company will then not lose so much,
because all of the cars will be crowd
ed and almost double the money will
be coming in"
That brief statement gives a COM
prehensive view of this city. In the
days when the congress is in session
our city has greatly increased pop
ulation, business of all kinds booms,
the street cars are crowded as they
are in metropolitan cities, and plenty
of money is in local circulation. The
senator's and representatives draw
100000 per month in salaries, and
spend it here during the sessions of
congress, and that sum alone, added
to local circulation, explains some
what the cause of the temporary
booming every year.
How to keep the statesmen warm
is problem which has been very
easy OF solution. The mine owners
are far-seeing business men, and
they foresaw the annual coming of
the congress. Provision has been
made 30 that there shall be plenty of
congressional library. But there is
another P->blem which has not vet
been solved, and that is, how are the
great department buildings to be
kept warm?
Twenty thousand people work for
the government, and their Offices
must he kept in comfortable con-
ditien. The furnaces which are to
be kept going must warm all of the
Office 'rcoms of all of the buildings, or
else the cabinet ministers must
shiver, because there is a community
of heat>in all Of the departments.
The entire buildings must be equal
ly heated, or equally chilly.
Theirs has been no community of
effort IL this direction. The superin-
tendeas of each building has been
looking out for his particular depart
ment; consequently their supplies are
different, except that all. agree that
they are far short of the amount of
fuel needed.
So, you see, this coal problem is
great one for the government of
the republic, and it is no wonder that
the president felt it to be his duty
to make an effort to solve the prob
lem. SMITH D. FRY
True Saying.