Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-11
COAL FAMINE OVER
ALL NORTH DAKOTA
Some Specimen Dispatches Re-
Ceived From Towns There.
Mr.. HANsBROUGH CALLS
At Interstate Commerce Commission
and Makes a Statement.
OUTLYING DISTRICTS SUFFER
Where Homesteaders Are Living on
Their Claims and Trying to Per-
feet Their Titles.
At Interstate Commerce Commission
and Makes a Statement.
OUTLYING DISTRICTS SUFFER

Complaints continue to pour into the
interstate commerce commission on the
subject of fuel famine in the northwest.
Senator Hansbrough of North Dakota
called at the commission today with a
sheaf Of kilograms from the afflicted dis
trict. Some of them said that there had
been no serious suffering up to date, but
that the stock of coal was about exhausted
and there would be bad times ahead if
relief was not furnished Immediately.
Senator Hansbrough himself says that
one of the most serious phases Of the
situation has not been touched on so far.
There may be hardship and suffering in
some of the smaller towns, but where
there is a crowd of people there will usu-
ally be some way found between them to
pull through. But there is an immense
area in the western part of the state,
much of which has not yet been tapped
by the railroads, and where the Opening
up of spring is likely to show not suffer-
Ing but CHASTITY list of fatalities.
Situation in North Dakota.
The situation in North Dakota Is about
this: The eastern part of the state in the
Red River valley is pretty thickly settled.
But about the western half of the state is
higher ground that up to few years ago
was considered almost worthless. Now it
has been found that good crops can be
raised in that section, and within two years
many settlers have gone into that region
and are living their claims perfecting
their titles. The law requires continuous
residence, and many of these families are
living In little frame and tar paper shacks
They cannot move into the towns, as the
law now stands, without rskng the loss of
title to their homesteads
There are now about 1900 people in this
region located from fifteen to thirty miles
off the railroad. With the snow on the
ground and still drifting with the wind, and
no roads except wagon tracks across the
flats. it is as much as a mans life is worth
to even attempt to drive into town. The
towns themselves are short of coal or have
no coal at all, and the situation of these
outlying homesteads must be desperate.
But there is no way of telling how they
stand till the winter breaks. The Red Cross
might take them relief They are much
In need of it as the famine-st stricken districts
in China. But without some such agency
they will naturally be left stranded till
warm weather There may be bad story
to tell when these isolated settlers are
found.
Senator marlborough says that he has
put through a resolution in the Senate to
allow the homesteaders three months lib
erty from their claims In the winter to
meet just such an emergency as this. He
has no doubt that the same resolution will
go through the House without difficulty,
but that will not be in time to help the
people who are suffering now. 1t is possible
that some measure of government relief
may be advised, but if anything in this line
is done, it will have to be done quickly to
be effective.
Specimen Dispatches.
The following are specimens of some of
the dispatches:
CLYDE, N. D.-There has been no suffer-
ing from lack of coal in this vicinity so
far but the stock of coal is about ex-
hausted.
MUNICH, n. D.-About a weeks supply
of soft coal on hand. Have had no hard
coal for three weeks.
MILTON, N. D.-No supply of coal on
hand. Farmers compelled to go home with
out. Unless soon relieved, situation will be
critical.
SEARLES, N D.-Fuel very scarce. but
thus far actual suffering. No supply
on hand to speak of.
HANNAH. n. D.-No coal in town. Cars
billed for Hannah sidetracked somewhere.
influence.
PARK RIVER, n. D.-Not one pound of
coal for SALE People borrow from neigh
bors to supply daily needs. Only one
New Yeaw day. No passenger train for
two days. Snow blockade. Situation alarm
ing.
Park River is town of 500 inha bitants
larger than many of the communities.
The railroads now assure the commission
that they are doing all they can to meet the
emergency. There is little doubt expressed
by the officials that this is so, but the emer-
gency has arrived and the relief is not in
sight
The winter in the afflicted district is par
ticulary bad. There is usually low tenn
perature but little snow. Now there is
snow, according to James J. Hills state
| ment, three feet on the level. 1t complicates
the matter of getting relief to the outlying
settlers
None of he interstate commerce commits
sioners has yet returned to town, but some
| of them are expected back tonight. They
have sent a letter of appreciation to the
railroads for the efforts they are making,
but it is believed that the worst has not
yet been heard from the region of the trou-