Arizona republican., 1916-12-28
RUSH
 C0AL ID B|SBEE

The coal shortage in the mining dis trIctS of Arizona has become so bad, and the demands made upon the rail- roads by the corporation commission have become so insistent that w. C. Barnes, general freight agent of the Fl Paso and Southwestern railroad has lssueo an order that all commer- cial coal shipments shall be given the right of way over other merchandIsc. ana that none of the coal shall be con- fiscated by the railroad for its own use.
 The corporation commission has been keeping the wires hot all day, asking help from the New Mexican corporation commission, demanding that the railroads let the coal ship ments through in a hurry, and m- forming Douglas and Bisbee, that all would be well within a day or so.
 Following is copy of the wire sent to the traffic managers of the Santa Fe ana the tl Paso and Southwestern:
 Telegrams regarding coal shortage, Bisbee and Douglas. Will you not kindly assist in affording immediate relief by urging, so far as possible that orders and shipments for fuel companies intended for sale to general public in stricken district be given preference over other orders and other traffic.
 ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMIS-
 SION"
 Although, the Santa Fe did not see fit to answer the appeal of the com mission, w. C. Barnes, of the Fl Paso and Southwestern evidently realizing the gravity Of the affair sent back the following reply:
 General Manager Hawks has given following instructions to general Supt. Morris: Nine thirty a. m account extremely cold weather at various points along our line especially Bisbee and Douglas and shortage Of fuel throughout this section effective at once. You will give commercial coal shipments preference in handling over all other freight. Please nave super intendents locate all coal shipments on line and see that cars are rushed to destination. Under no circumstances must commercial coal be confiscated for company use.
 After waiting all day for a satisfac- tory reply from the traffic manager of the Santa Fe, the following tele- gram was sent out late m the after noon by the corporation commission i Photographic appeal from citizens of Douglas alleging your company con- TScaung coal shipments from GaliuI | destined Douglas. Situation IS critica and demands drastic action. Genera ! Manager Hawks of Southwestern ha: issued instructions all commercial coa shipments be given preference over ev- efythlng else and that no confiscatior be permitted. It is urgent you join ir this move. Please wire quick what ha. been done and what we may expect
 ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMIS- i SION" The Douglas chamber of commerc, again wired the commission yesterday the message stating that there Wa: great suffering among the poor peopl, Of the city, and that relief must come at once or there would be serious rt- suits.
 All of the telegrams from both Bis bee and Douglas state that it is tho common opinion there that the rail- roads are Con<iscating the major DOT ton of the coal on their lines.
 The corporation commission seemed to be of the opinion yesterday that after their flock of wires to the rail- reads had dcne their work, there woult be no more shortage in Bisbee an, | Douglas. It was the concensus of opin ion at the state house that within : day or so plenty of coal would start {, arrive in the stricken towns.