The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1907-01-09

patience mas C6dSeu u De d virtue
with the consumers of coal in thi:
city. 1t isn't much of virtue any
way. when the Northern Pacific rail-
road is what one has to be patient
with. Now the limit has been reach
ed-passed, in fact--and the public
may look out for something out OF
the ordinary to happen most any
time
Monday saw the same old scram-
ole in the waiting line around the
Northwest Improvement company S
office. And the public, lest we for
get is again reminded that the
Northwest improvement company is
the Northern Pacific Railway COM
pany. Monday saw by the light Of
the very early morning more than 4
hundred teams in line, more than a
hundred men stamping cold feet and
trying TO warm the fingers a whole
lot OF them didn't have the fuel at
home 10 warm them by: saw anxious
men and women and even little chill
dren coming to learn If there was
any change in the situation saw a
few greedy hogs getting enough coal
20 last them several DAYS while the
weaker beings staggered away WITT
about enough for a days supply on
1heir backs; saw Manager Hessev
trying with almost superhuman eff
forts and with the patience Of Job
10 divide the meagre supply accord
ing to needs Alon % the afternoon
the floor of the coal shed was torn
up and something like ten sacks OF
fine coal gathered up and carried
away. And no word could be had
regarding the next shipment. Very
late in the evening Manager Hessey
phoned to the Heral that he had re-
ceived notification that ten cars had
been forwarded here from the
mines. If it isn't stopped and taken
by other needy people on its way.
and should arrive TO day, there will be
enough TO relieve some of the suf-
fering and supply a small percent
age of the empty coal bins, but it
is safe to say none Of it will be left
IN the cars for "a hours. Ten cars
will be but drop in the bucket
When the desperate conditions be-
came fully realized Monday evening
the men left their tams and held a
consultation They We're tired OF
monkeying and being monkeyed
with They didn't want promises:
they had these TO burn, and they
were mighty poor fuel. What they
wanted was coal They determined
10 get it.
Legal advice was sought. and the
determined looks on the mems faces
rs they told its import gave assur-
anee that Il was what they wanted
"a hear committee Of half doz-
en waited on Mayor Fechter in his
office at the Yakima Valley bank
and asked for a suggestion or advice
Well said the mayor, smiling.
'the only thing I could advise in
case like tais would be the breaking
of the laws and that. You know
wouldn't be right for me TO advise
But, exclaimed one of the COM
mittee. YOU wouldn't advise us ros
1reeze and let our babies go cold and
hungry. YOU"
No. said the mayor, shutting his
Jaw with snap; and Furthermore,
no jury would convict you for help
ing yourself to coal ii you can get
H."
He then counseled the committee
70 confer with Agent Meeks, who
might be able TO help them IN some
way. But with the weary look Mr.
Meeks has grown accustomed to wea-
since the famine began, he told them
ne had done everything he coulI
The committee then informed him
was the intention of large NUN
Der Of men who We're well nigh the
point of desperation to get coal II the
company brought any of it as far
east as North Yakima They wanted
10 be fair and would be reasonable
They asked what official the matter
should be taken up with, and on the
advice of Mr.. Meeks decided to tel
egraph Mr. Levy at Tacoma. Iha
telegram at the head of this column
was then written. and Mayor Fech-
ter. Sheriff Grant and Chief of %
lice Cayoa, all being aware of the
conditions and in The hope that the
message would have some effect.
signed it. The answer is being antici-
pated with interest
Coming down to facts, the fuel
famine in North Yakima is as un-
necessary as it is at the mines. It