Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-01-15
AFTER
D.: IALERS
Chicago Council Passes
Ordinance Against
"HoIding Up"
Citizens of Illinois Town
Seize Several Cars
of Coal
Scarcity Of Fuel Felt in
Many Parts of
Country

chicago, Jan. 10.- Inc city council
last night took hand in the solution
Of the coal problem. An ordinance
was passed making the forestaTling
Of fuel supplies a misdemeanor pun
ishable with a fine of 5000 for each
Ofense. AS an emergency matter the
measure was rushed through under
suspension Of the rules. After ten
days it goes into effect and then any
dealer or finn who enters into a com
bination with intent to raise the price
OF fuel will be amendable for viola
ton of the city ordinances.
Calls Conference.
Indianapolis, Jan Ex-Governor
Durham, has invited the coal carrying
roads to a conference Tuesday to
consider the coal situation.
Confiscate Coal.
Tuscola, H., Jan. 20-ADout 200
citizens confscated ten carloads of
coal at the Illinois Central yards yes
terday and it was distributed among
sufferers who are out of fuel. A fund
has been raised and the coal will be
paid for.
To Remove Duty.
Washington, Jan 13.-Among the
bills before the ways and means com
mittee affecting the duty on coal is
one introduced early in the session by
Representative Hill of Connecticut.
This bill is receiving the favorable
consideration of the committee. 1t
provides: THAT there shall be al
lowed and paid, under such regula-
tons as the secretary of the treasury
shall prescribe, on all coal of every
kind and form imported into any port
on the Atlantic coast. the drawback
of import duties paid on the same to
and including the Goth day of June,
1903" This act is to take effect i'm
mediately upon its passage. Another
bill, introduced by Mr.. Mccall of Mas
Sachusetts, suspends the collection of
the duties on coal for 80 days Mr..
Mccall and Senator Lodge had talk
on the house side late in the day. One
member of the ways and means com
mttee said it was immaterial whether
the bill to suspend the collection OF
duties, or one providing for a rebate,
was adopted, since both have the same
effect and it would be only a matter
Of method, but he is inclined to the
view that the rebate bill would be
preferable.
A number of bills have been intro
duced in the house and referred to the
ways and means committee, which
provide for the repeal of all duties up
on coal of all kinds imported into the
United States There is still another
bill providing for reciprocal trade re-
lations between the United States and
Canada on coal 1t is not stated
whether this last bill is to be consid
cred tomorrow with the rebate and
suspension measures.
Chicago Investigation. =.
Chicago, Jan. 13.-Subpoenas have
bene issued for the officers of the
Crescent Coal company demanding
the producuOn of contracts and agree
ments with certain companies. Hugh
Shirkle Of Terre Haute, Ind, presl-
dent of the Bruillett Greek Coal com
pany, was served with a forthwith
subpoena while on train returning
to his home but refused to recognize
the authority of Cook county officials
and declined to return to Chicago and
appear before the grand jury. He
sadi if he had been seen before board
ing the train he would have appeared
before the jury. He claims all his
company's coal was contracted for by
the railroads.
Much Coal Leaving Indiana.
Brazil, Ind, Jan. 13.-From fourteen
to sixteen trains loaded with coal are
leaving here each day. The Chicago
& Eastern Illinois has been hauling
an average of 800 cars day out Of
Brazil. Almost every ton of this coal
has gone to Chicago. All told, total
of $50 cars of coal leave here every
day In weight 1t amounts to 1850
tons.
Mitchell Makes Appeal.
Philadelphia, Jan. 13.-President
Mitchell has issued a circular letter to
me local union calling dIlSnIlOn TO Jn6
suffering caused by the coal shortage.
He urges that in order to relieve the
situation all members of the union
cooperate with the managementS of
the mines in an effort to increase the
production of coal. The gravity of the
situation is such as to require that
every minewOrker shall exert himself
and use every means at his call to this
end" Mitchell urges that the miners
hold meetings and devise means
whereby the output of the mines may
be increased.
Plant Shuts Down.
Altoona. Pa, Jan. 13.-The plant of
the Portage iron works shut down yes
terday because of lack of coal. Five
hundred men are thrown out of work
Farmers Burn Corn.
Fremont, Neb., Jan. 13.-The coal
shortage in and around Fremont is
such that farmers are beginning tC
burn corn for fuel, not because it is
cheaper, but because they can get nc
coal at any price. There is much suf