Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-23
FACING COAL FAMINE
Iowa City Officials Appeal to Rail-
road Commission For Help-Univsr-
siry Closes Early TO Divert Coal to
Hospitals.

Des Moines. Dec. 23.-Iowa City Off
Gals yesterday appealed to the Iowa
railroad commission to compel rail-
roads to deliver coal now on their lines,
to relieve a fuel famine which threat
ems that city.
Mayor koontz Of Iowa City, III d
telegram to the commission stated that
the state university closed down a day
earlier than usual, in order that coal
which would have been used to heat
the university, might be turned over
to the hospitals to keep the sick warm.
Coal famine impending this city
telegraphed Mayor Koontz. All hos
pitfalls in peril. State University Of
Iowa forced to close down. Prevail on
Rock Island to move Iowa CITY coal
now on their lines. Situation des-
perate."
The state university had two cars Of
coal on the Rock Island lines. The
railroad officials Immediately delivered
the coal and it was turned over to the
Iowa City hospitals. The university
will be closed all OF next week for
the holidays.
The railroads were busy last night
trying 70 rush coal TO Iowa City to
supply the residence demand.
The state board Of control last night
reported that there are 500 tons OF
coal at each Of the state institutions
so that there is no danger of the state
wards being forced to undergo any
hardships.
At a meeting Of local No. 318, miners
union. in this city, Thursday night,
some two hundred and fifty miners
employed at the Delaware and Yoder
mines agreed each to mine a ton OF
coal free II the mining companies
would donate the coal to the city.
Mayor MacVicar has agreed 10 send
city teams for the coal which will be
turned over to charity organizations If
the plan is agreeable TO the mine op-
orators.
Toll, county zeal operators hav" ask
ed Mayor MacVicar to telegraph state
officers of the miners union for per-
mission 70 work all day Saturday and
Christmas day. The operators declare
the abandonment Of the Saturday half
holiday and a full days work Christ
mas will relieve al once the fuel situa-
ton here.
The operators agree to divert all
coal mined Christmas and Saturday
afternoon 10 Des Moines dealers for
local consumption.
We are in much better shape today
but the fuel shortage is still a prob
lem" said Horace Hollingsworth, sec
rotary of the Associated Charities.
Coal dealers and operators are fur
nishing US with fuel in small quaint
ties and needy families are being cared
for
Fifty calls for coal were received by
the Associated Charities from all over
the city. These orders are being filled
as rapidly as local coal dealers can
supply the fuel.
Dealers and operators are co-operat-
ing with the charity 'organizatinn in an
effort to fill Immediately hundreds OF
empty coal! bins in all parts Of the city.
No coal is delivered until the bin has
been inspected and found TO be empty
or with mt a days supply. This not
only applies to, charity cases but in all
instances where relief is asked Of the
Associated Charities by persons able to
pay for but who have been unable to
secure coal.
Mayor MacYicar will seize no more
coal in local railroads yards unless thu
fuel shortage again assumes a famine
aspect. he declared.