Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-13
THE FUEL FAMINE
NOT IMPROVING
Efforts of Interstate Commerce
Commission.
ON RAILROAD OFFICIALS
Senator Hansbrough's Letter to Chair
man Knapp.
MR.. HARLAN'S PROMPT REPLY
He and Commissioner Lane Had In
vestigated the Matter-His Tel
egram to President Hill.
MR.. HARLAN's PROMPT REPLY

Conditions in the fuel famine districts of
North Dakota not improving, but the
members of the interstate commerce COM
mission are doing all in their power to stir
the responsible railroad officials to action,
and have wired to number of postmasters
in the stricken district to get additional
facts.
Four members of the commission returned
to Washington yesterday. They were Chair
man Martin Knapp, Judge Clements, Com
missioner James s. Harlan and Commits
sioner Clark. They had made extensive in
vestigations of the coal famine while in
the west, and were met when reaching
home by letter from Senator Hansbrough,
setting forth the general facts stated
in The Star on Friday to the conditions
in North Dakota. This letter, which was
addressed to the chairman of the commits
sion, said:
My Dear Judge Knapp-My advices from
North Dakota are alarming. 1t is reported
to me, that many farmers are killing their
stock to prevent their starving; that the
lights in more than 100 villages were eXtn
guished several days ago, and that the
prospect for relief from the fuel famine
continue Indefinitely supplies of provisions
will soon be exhausted, and this will add to
the prevailing distress.
Let me suggest that you at once COM
muncate with the heads of the railroads
passing through the afflicted territory, and
urge them to exert every effort to push re-
lief trains into those districts where fuel
and supplies are most needed. This should
be done even at the cost of temporarily
abandoning other traffic, and without re-
gard to expense or personal sacrifice.
Commissioner Harlan's Reply.
To this a reply was Immediately made by
Commissioner Harlan 1t was as follows:
Ny Dear Senator Hansbrough:
AS the conditions in the northwest were
investigated more especially by Mr.. Lane
and myself, the chairman has handed to me
your letter of this date in relation to
alarming conditions in North Dakota as
reported to you by your correspondents.
AS Mr.. Lane is absent in the west, | at
once telegraphed to Mr.. James J. Hill of
the Great Northern Railroad Company, in
forming him of your letter and of the
substance of kilograms that had reached
the commission. | expressed the hope
that he would take whatever measures
were necessary to give prompt relief re-
gardieSS of expense.
In this connection it may be we'll to say
that just before leaving Chicago yesterday
| received telegram from Mr.. Hill, dated
on the 10th, indicating that the worst storm
of the winter was then in progress in Mon
tana and North Dakota, but that warmer
weather was following it eastward. He also
states that with their relays of portable
snow fence about fifty miles in length they
were able to move trains their main
lines and on most of their branches, but
were able to haul only about one-third of
the ordinary load. He also states that the
fuel supply generally has improved, and
that with two three days of fair weather
it would soon be in good shape.
Should further advices reach us l will be
gladto advise you of their substance.
Telegram to Hill.
The telegram referred to, which was sent
to Mr.. HILL was as follows:
Mr.. James J. Hill,
President Great Northern R. R. Co.,
st. Paul, Mimi:
Upon return to office this afternoon find
kilograms indicating acute and serious sit
uation at Clyde, Hannah, Milton and Park
River. Senator Hansbrough, in letter to-
day to commission, indlca ties lack of food
stuffs as well coal, and urges abandon
ment of other traffic, if necessary, to give
immediate relief. | assume that You will
keep in close personal touch with the sit
uation and take effective measures to rush
supplies where needed regardless of eX-
pense or other sacrifice
In addition to the telegram sent Mr.. Hill
duplicate messages were sent 20 the post
masters at Alsen, Gardina, E"kman AMI
other points in North Dakota, asking for
the latest developments in the situation.
There have been Shoal of messages from
various points in the state. all describing
the conditions as everything from bad to
desperate. The commission has no actual
authority in the case, but IS doing all II
can by moral Suasion to stir up the roads,
and this is being helped by the publicity
that is being given the situation.