The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-12-28
COAL FAMINE IS LAlDTo DEALER.
Railway President Says Ample Supply
Of Cars Has Been Furnished.

Early in the last month rumOrS OF
coal shortages at different points In
the state became current, and Gov.
Elrod at once took the matter up with
the heads of the different railroads
operating in South Dakota, and was as
sured by them that they would do ev-
erything within their power to prevent
anything in the way of coal shortage,
with the suffering which must accom-
pany such condition. Most of the
roads at once sent representatives to
the different towns which they reach
in the state to investigate the situa-
! ton, and with orders to relieve short
ages as rapidly as possible where
such conditions existed
The governor has been keeping close
| watch of the situation and by cores
pondence knows what has been done
all over the state to meet the cOndi-
tions which prevailed earlier in the
season, and at the present time, while
the fuel supply at all points may not
be equal to meeting the demands for
the whole winter, but few if any points
are without coal, and all shortages are
being made up as fast as possible.
Gov. Elrod has received letters from
the management Of practically all the
roads, including one from Marvin
Hughitt of the Northwestern road,
practically the same as all the other
communications in effect, and showing
that where a shortage did occur, it was
the local dealer rather than the rail-
roads who could have prevented the
situation. Mr.. Hughitt says:
Ample Supply of Cars.
Replying further to your communl-
cation Of Nov IS, and previous COM
munications, relating TO the shortage
OF fuel supply at stations on the line
OF the Northwestern railway in South
Dakota, have to say that the subject
has been carefully investigated Thir
ty days previous to Oct. 27 in compli-
ance with the provisions of the inter
state commerce law, public notice was
given by the company of contempla-
ted reduction approximately about 20
per cent? in the rates for transporta-
ton of coal from all sources of supply
terval it appears that shipments were
practically suspended by order dealers
and parties Interested At the same
time it was made to appear, as We are
advised, that the reason why coal was
not being received in South Dakota
was due to the failure on the part OF
the railway company to furnish cars
for it's shipment, Notwithstanding
there was an ample supply of cars at
every point where coal was on tender
for shipment over the Northwestern
lines. Immediately upon the taking ef-
feet of the reduced rates the daily or
ders for cars for the shipment of coal
Of shippers.
particular attention has been given
to the matter OF delays At no period
within six weeks has there been time
when the company was unrepreSented
by general officer of the operating
department on the ground in South
Dakota.
Consumer to Blame.
Permit me to assure you that the
management of the North Western
Railway company has keen appreci-
alton of the necessity Of having an
ample supply of fuel for the use, in
deed, protection of the people resident
along the lines of its railway in South
Dakota, but it Is not a fact that this
supply cannot be assured unless the
consumers, or those of whom they pur-
chase, place their orders for fuel at
reasonable time In the summer or
early autumn in order that cars may
be furnished by the carriers with reas-
enable prOmptness, and thereby as.
sure an ample supply Of prime neces-
sity? If the question is left to the
railways alone, they must enter the
field and deal in coal, and this plan,
am quite sure, would not be acceptable
to the public. l assure you it would be
entered upon very reluctantly by the
company, whose business Is simply
that of transportation.
Respecting the section west OF
Pierre. AS you know, the road there
is not completed. have, however, to-
day instructed the officers of the
Pierre, Rapid City & Northwestern
company to Immediately provide
emergency transportation service in
order that necessary supplies, includ-
ing building material, may be taken
to the stations nearest the end of the
track. This plan will be in operation,
I hope, early in the week, both from
Fort Pierre and from Rapid City. The
company cannot presently undertake
to deliver freight between Pierre and
Fort Pierre. Every effort is being
made, however, to complete as speed
lily as possible the bridge now under
construction. The material is on hand
and the work of erection is intrusted
to most competent contractor. We
hope, If no unforeseen delays are en-
countered, to have the bridge ready
and the two railways east and west of
the Missouri river united by the early
spring months"
Big Steamer Launched.
Superior, Wis, Dec. 25. - The big
steamer Sheldon Parks was launched
at the shipyards Saturday. AFTERNOON.
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