Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
Government to Operate Those
That May Be Idle.
SENATOR MASON'S IDEA
HARDSHIP AND SUFFERING RE
suit FROM THE FAMINE.
How to Provide Families With Little
Means a Perplexing Problem
for Charities.

Senator Mason will in a few days intro
duce In the Senate bill which he believes
will in the future prevent a coal famine
and suffering among the people.
1t provides that whenever coal mine Is
not being operated the Attorney General
may apply in circuit court in the district
in which the mine is located for receiver
to operate the mine, and this receiver may
proceed to keep the public supplied with
coal.
Such provision, Senator Mason IS pre-
pared TO show, is legally sound and justified
by the events which are now taking place.
A Serious Question.
The most serious phase of the coal famine
in Washington at present is: How shall
persons of moderate means, those who are
above the plane of persons who must be
aided by charity, be provided with fuel.
This phase of the situation is one that is
commanding the attention of the Asso-
ciated Charities and the Citizens Relief
Association, which are allied in the work
of helping the poor and needy.
There are hundreds of families in Wash
ington who are unable to pay the extor-
tionate prices asked by dealers who sell
coal other than received from the Philadel-
phia and Reading Coal and Iron Company
and the companies controlled by the Penn
sylvania railroad. where the price is stipu-
lated.
Coal for the Poor.
I'VE are receiving no coal direct from
the Philadelphia and Reading" Mr.. Charles
II. Weller. secretary OF the Associated
Charities, said today. 1.-The Reading L.
taking care Of US through local dealers
Mr.. Lounsbury. the Readings local sales
agent, has provided us with a list Of deal
ers throughout the city, from whom we get
the coal for distribution to needy persons.
This plan Is working pretty well at present
I'VE have experienced no trouble in get
ting coal to give to the poor who need 1t.
We are selling no coal. In every instance
quantities as we find necessary. from q
bushel up to a quarter Of a ton.
Nearly 5000 has been collected by the
Citizens 90 Re Belief Association up to now.
fuel, groceries and shoes, these being the
principal articles provided by the associa-
ton.
As High as $40 Ton.
1--WE usually pay 1928 a ton for the coal
that goes to needy persons. II the dealers
who handle the Philadelphia and Reading
coal do not have it in hand we have to pay
whatever price is asked. We have paid as
high as SO ton for coal thus distributed
There have been fair number of such
cases, but not so many since Mr.. Lounsbury
came to our rescue.
lDere mas Deen shortage during the
last few days in the northeast part OF the
city; otherwise have pretty nearly ali
we wanted at s7,25 a ton.
I'VE do not touch the problem that is Of
interest to all-how those of small means
who have trouble in getting fuel shall be
taken care of. Personally 1 wish it were
possible for US to get coal to sell to this
class-persons of small means, who are
above the plane Of those to whom we give.
Selling in Small Quantities.
1--WE are making a small effort in that
way at Neighborhood House. A gentleman
who is interested in the Peoples Friendly
Club. which is an adjunct to the Neighbor-
hood House, has purchased several tons Of
coal and is selling It to members of the club
Many persons who otherwise would have
been unable to get coal have by this means
been kept from actual want I wish the
plan might spread to other parts Of the
city.
1.-The gas company has done an immense
amount Of good in the southeastern part Of
the city and in Georgetown among the poor
by selling coke at cents a bushel. This Is
doing much toward holding down the fam
inc that exists. In the southwest a number
Of persons have STAYED off the effects of the
famine by obtaining driftwood from the
Potomac river.
Many Cases Of Sickness.
There are many cases of sickness and
shortage Of coal among the poor that make
1t incumbent on US to hustle coal to the
homes without delay. It is then not ques-
ton of price. but one Of getting fuel there
without delay,
1.-THE demand upon us is increasing all the
time and we have great apprehensions for
January and February. the two months of
the year that are the heaviest in point of
work done by the Associated Charities.
People with small savings, who have sue
ceeded in tiding themselves and families
part way through the winter, then find
themselves where they must have assist
ance. The situation Is a serious one
throughout
Hardship and Suffering.
Folly 1t would be to try and disguise the
fact that hardship and suffering iS follow
ing the wake Of the coal famine in WASH
ington Anthracite coal seems to be COM
Ing to the city in considerable quantities.
but 1t Is not sufficient by any means 20
supply the demand
The hard coal that comes from the Phil
adelphia and Reading and the companies
controlled by the Pennsylvania railroad Is
sold at $7.25 and $3.50 a ton. respectively.
but the receipts Of coal from the independ-
ent operators. with whom the dealers have
no contract stipulating the price at which 1t
shall be sold to the consumer, Is doled out
in small quantities at figure that in not
a few instances has exceeded $40 a ton.
There are hundreds of families in the
District Of Columbia who cannot afford to
pay such prices for fuel. They are In
capacitated by lack Of means. These are
the ones who are actually suffering, and to
protect them is a question of urgent i'm
portance.
Today's Receipts.
Nineteen cars of anthracite coal reached
the city last night over the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad and another train Of twenty
four cars arrived this afternoon. At the
offices OF the Pennsylvania railroad this
afternoon 1t was said that considerable coal
was being received in the several yards OF
the company. Every available cart and
vehicle in the city Is being pressed into
service to distribute the coal to consumers.
There is q general decentralization of prices
in coal that bids fair to get worse rather
than better. There are dealers In Washing
ton. and the same Ia true In other cities,
who criticise newspapers for printing such
statements. But the statements are true.
They are based on conditions not theories.
Whole Country Competing.
Northern cities, where the conditions OF the
famine are analogous to those in Washing
ton, have already begun to offer premiums
for the output of the mines. New York.
Philadelphia and other cities can pay a
higher price for the coal, and yet the price
will not be equal to that In Washington, be-
cause the cost Of freightage here Is about