Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-15
COAL FAMINE IN NORTHWEST
Towns in North rakOta without Fuel and
Farmers Are Burning Buildings
MAYOR SUGGEST. USE OF MILITIA
So
Executive y = aburn Wants state
Troops Sc Coal Trains-Inter-
sta, - >AmissiOn Asks Rail-
- roads TO Act.

-SEAPOLIS, Dec. 14.--With the cold
wavs signal flying, the coal shortage in
the northwest becomes not only a cause of
severe suffering, but an absolute menace to
human life.
This is the second chapter in the history
Of the railroads failure to handle the 1906
traffic in the territory tributary to Mime
apOis.
Glenburn, N d. is seriously considering
an appeal to the governors Of North Da-
kota and Minnesota to employ state mill
tary force in moving coal trains. Farmers
are burning their outbuildlngs for fuel.
Glenburn has invited people from its ter
ritory who will be without fuel to come
and camp in the village school, Eveleth,
Mimi. faces darkness and suffering through
deprivation OF coal and apprehensive re-
ports have come from numerous other
places. That the fuel shortage Is already
acute I'm some places is evidenced by this
unsolicited telegram received by the Jour
nal today:
CANDO, N. D, Dec. 14-To the Editor of
the Journal; The fuel situation here IS
desperate. Dealers arc entirely out and
the mill and the electric light works have
been shut down Several families are en-
tirely without fuel But one freight train
has entered Cando this week and no fuel
was on that. It is necessary to take i'm
I
state. H. NJ. HAGARHARSON,
Acting Mayor.
Situation is Desperate.
The Glenburn. N. D., situation is des-
perate. Following a telegram appealing
for a special train bearing coal, the Glen
burn Commercial club sends this statement
Of conditions suggestion a startling move
for relief:
GLENBgRN, n. d., Dec. r.-To the
Journal: The dealers wire us that the situ-
| alton is entirely up to the railroads, as
| shippers are unable to obtain cars to load
| with coal. Our local dealers have coal
| ordered over two months, which is not even
| shipped yet. Today we will wire Governor
| Sarles, requesting him to take up the
matter with Governor Johnson, and if
states to run coal trains.
! The situation all through this section is
desperate. and with the liability Of bliz-
yards any time, many will freeze to death
/ If fuel Is not available soon. Farmers are
already coming to town with stories OF
| burning sheds and other outhouses. We
have notified the farmers that II the worst
| comes they can bring their families and
bedding and camp in our new foursroom
coal to heat the building for three months
at least and II will go farther in this way
| man II would were we to distribute II
among those who are out, as II would not
make bushei each
We will also wire our senators at Wash
ington today, asking their interest with the
words strong enough to convey 10 you the
Importance of getting railroads TO haul
| special trains of coal into the section suf-
fertng. We rely upon the cooperation OF
the people OF Minnesota, shipments
originate there, and we cannot dictate 10
the roads from here. Yours very truly.
GLENBURN COMM aCTAL CLUB,
BY WILLIAM NJ. SHEPHERD. President.
Interstate COmmisslOn Acts.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14--Hn view of the
complaints Of car shortage. resulting, It is
said, in the failure TO transport the neces-
saries OF life and coal for household use,
the Interstate Commerce commission has
sent the following telegram to the presi-
dents OF a number of western and north
western railroads.:
From many parts of the country, and
particularly from your section, the Inter,
state Commerce commission is receivins
numerous and importunate complaints Oi
car shortage and failure to transport the
necessaries OF life. In various places in
the northwest 1t Is represented that people
for household use cannot be procured owinR
to extraordinary delays in moving thai
article, The commission therefore urges
you to make every possible effort to meet
at once the needs and relieve the suffering
OF those dependent upon the facilities OF
your road MARTIN A. KNAPP,
Chairman.
The telegram was sent to the presidents
Of the following named roads; Great North.
ern; Northern Pacific; Minneapolis, St
Paul & Sault Ste. Marie; Chicago & North.
western: Milwaukee & 81 Paul, and the
| q