Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-17
NAVY FACES FUEL FAMINE
CastirOn Contracts Have Kept Up
supply, hut Contractors Now
Run short.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-Tbe Treasury
department today received an official GER
tilted copy of the act approved yesterday
placing coal on the free list. Upon its re-
ceipt the department telegraphed the neces-
sary instructions to collectors Of customs
throughout the country directing them to
put the act into immediate effect. The tel
egram read as follows:
Admit all coal imported on or after 18th
inst. free of duty under the act Of 10Th
inst. Copy by mail.
Shortage OF coal is causing some con-
cern in the navy. The various navy yards
are appealing to the bureau Of equipment
for fuel.
Arrangements we're made today for the
shipment of coal from the depot at New
London, Connecticut, to New York Navy
yard. Through the foresight of Rear Ad-
miral Bradford the coal famine thus far
has not affected the navy, ironclad coli
tracts having been closed before the strike
for delivery at normal prices.
CHICAGO, Jan. 16.-The grand Jury in
vestigation into the cause OF the fuel short
age proceeded today, notwithstanding the
agreement on the part Of the Illinois Manu-
facturers' association to arbltrate It's diff
ferences with the coal men, and coal deal
ers from a number Of suburbs appeared
before the inquisitors.
These were for the most part small re-
tailers, who told Of the trouble experienced
by those who have to depend upon the out
put OF the mines not under contract or
upon free coal"
The free coal mined in Illinois being
only 30 to 40 per cent Of the entire output,
and it being admitted by operators that
contracts were made at such low prices
| that little profit was made on them. 1t
was declared that the burden of the profit
making falls heavily on dealers who are
compelled to handle the free coal.
One of the first witnesses to appear was
J. NJ. Glenn, secretary of the Illinois Manu-
facturers association, who failed to re-
spond to a telephone summons and who
was brought in on forthwith subpoena
other witnesses were Mrs. r. Kirby, Tai
| lulu; G. w. Hatch, Greenvew; C. A.
Stearne, Springfield; w. G. Bartel, Carter
VILE; L. w. stenseney, Auburn, and Ter
renee Casey, Williamsvfile
! LONDON, Jan 16.-The remission of the
coal duties by the United States congress
seems to have little or no effect on the
British market. At this time there are
/ only two American orders on the Cardiff
market, as compared with at least dozeI
a fortnight ago.
PARIS, Jan. 16.-United States Consu
Gowdy says it is not likely that any Frencl
coal will be shipped to the United States
/ the French mines being unable to NEE
| the demands OF the home market
| NATION, ILL.,, Jan. 16.--The citizens o
| Newman, a small station on the Indiana
! Decatur road, today held up a passenger
! train in order to get coal. When the De-
! catur accommodation pulled into Newman
! crowd Of angry citizens surrounded th'
engine, compelled the engineer to shut of
steam and then took every chunk OF Goa
| out OF the tender.
1t was reported that there was coal Oi
| the siding at MontezumaI Ind, billed fo
Newman, which the company had refused
to haul through. but it was learned late
4 that the report was untrue.
/ PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 16.-Two of th'
public schools closed today on account o
! lack of coal.