Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-26
GREAT NORTHERN
HAS TO GET COAL
FOR MIhLIN0CkE7

Millinocket. Me-, Oct. 24.-The coal
situation which has been agftating the
minds Of Millinocktonians for some
time past and which as winter APP
breaches has caused great anxiety, is
apparently now approaching solution.
For weeks it has been impossible to buy
coal from the local dealer, who has
found it impossible to procure either
large or small quantity for the people
here. So grave had the situation be-
come that the Central Labor Union felt
called upon to take the matter up At
ter considering various proposals they
decided to approach the management
Of the Great Northern Paper Co. for
help in their difficulty and to this end
negotiations were opened up with Mr..
William Whitcomb. the company's
general manager. That gentleman
promptly replied that he had instructed
George w. Stearns to look into the
question. and he (Mr. Whitcomb)
would see that the mill employees and
/ their families should not freeze this
winter for want of coal. AS a result
of further communications the c. L. U.
called an open meeting for Saturday
night and a fairly large number Of en-
ployes were present when Carey
cctham took the chair. Mr.. Beatham
detailed the steps that had been taken
by the c. L. u. to cope with the coal
problem. He said that on the previous
! day he had had an interview with the
general manager who had stated that
1000 tons Of hard coal delivered on the
siding at Millinocket would cost $10.50
per ton, and if the men preferred soft
coal they could get it off the mill coal
pile for 81 per ton. The soft coal they
could have right away, but as regards
the hard coal 1t would of necessity be
some weeks before it could be got to
AIilliAocket The G. N. would have to
get barge loaded at Norfolk. Va. The
1000 tons would only partially fill the
barge which would carry also the COM
oany's ordinary supply of soft coal. The
,orapany would drop somewhere about
$4,000 over the deal, but they were
Wiling to do this to accommodate their
employees. The coal company from
'!,ici they bought their supply only
.calt in soft coal and they would have
purchase it from some other firm OF
gal operators. He (Mr. Whltcomb)
.,liie living in Indiana had always
used soft coal and had had satlsfac-
tory results. The meeting after THIS
statement discussed pretty fully the
merits and otherwise of soft and hard
coal. The company, if the majority
wanted hard coal and would guarantee
to take 1000 tons, would procure 1T for
the men. If not the company would
let their employees have the soft coal Off
the pile The majority seemed to favor
the soft coal proposition so that they
would have it straight away and not
wait for weeks for the hard coal. A
vote was taken and for the soft coal
proposition "a voted, and for the hard
coal II. This means that in few days
the company's employees will be able to
procure the much needed fuel. The coal
famin: has prevailed SO long that with
a severe cold spell the situation in the
town would have been extremely grave
and the thanks of the people are due to
Mr.. Whitcomb apd the Great Northern
paper CO. for so promptly coming to
their aid.