Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
OMAHA IS SHORT ON COAL
Dealers Unable to Supply the Demands Of
Their Customers
NO MORE FUEL FOR SCHOOLS THIS WEEK
-COntractinE Company Notifies Board
of Education that II VIII he Inn
possible TO Deliver Coal
for the Present.

Yesterday found the fuel situation in
Omaha in n more serious condition than it
has ever been. The cold weather Of last
week increased the con RRGption OF all kinds
Of coal, and especially was the stock OF
steam coal drawn upon for the use of the
large office buildings and factories. At
every yard there Is a great shortage OF coal.
and it is estimated by conservative dealers
that there are not a dozen cars Of steam
coal in all Of the yards OF the city.
George p. Cronk Of the Havcns Coal COM
pany, the contractor for supplying the
schools with fuel, said the company had
notified the school board that 1t would be
impossible to supply coal for the schools
this week, as expected conslgnments had
not arrived. At the Office of the secretary
Of the board It was said that no notice had
been received from the Ravens company at
noon, but 1t was not unexpected, as for some
time the contractor had been delivering but
small amounts. At the High school the de-
livery has been from day to day and that
building is probably in worse shape than
any other. Many OF the once buildings
which could not secure steam coal have
been using lump coal and any othar form Of
fuel which could be found.
The manager Of one Of the coal yards said
that he had but a small quantity of one
variety OF coal and that his drivers would
quit work at noon, as all orders were filled
as far as possible. Inquiry at the other
yards ELECTED similar conditions. with the
exception Of one house every dealer has
more orders for coal than can be filed, and
this house cannot supply the demand much
longer unless additional c~onsignments ar
rive.
suspension of Business.
A number of business concerns we're
forced to suspend operation temporarily yes
terday morning, as It was impossible to
warm the rooms so that men could work.
By great effort the majority secured Shall
quantities Of fuel and resumed operations
in the afternoon, but they were informed
that the coal delivered yesterday must be
the last until more coal arrives in the city.
The railroads. 1t is said, are doing all
they can to relieve the stringency. Many
companies have refused business in order
to use their cars for coal and others are
giving coal trains the right of way over
everything but passenger trains. Despite
all of this, deliveries are a week or more
behind and dealers find It difficult to locate
shipments. One case is reported where a
dealer, after waiting for several days for
coal from the west, received notice that the
shipmen had been sent to Chicago, where
II had been delivered to dealers. Will such
conditions the miner and the wholesale
dealer can do nothing. as they must keep
on good terms with the railroads or go out
Of business.
1t is reported that about fifty cars are
overdue here now, but no dealer will base
the acceptance Of an order upon the
probability Of the arrival Of this coal.
NJ. Levy, Chairman of the committee of
the Board OF Education having in charge
the securing of fuel. said that arrangements
had been made whereby the schools are
assured OF coal sufficient to run two weeks
and by that time it is expected the most
serious part of the shortage will be passed,
so 1t is believed the schools will not be
forced to close by reason of the failure Of
the contractors to supply fuel.