Evening star., 1916-10-24
D. c. HEADS Warned
OF COAL SHORTAGE
Municipal Building Windows
Closed and Venti|ating Sys-
TEN Relied Upon for Air.
SUPPLY FOR DEPARTMENTS

Notice of serious shortage of coal
partments in the District building, who
are urged to keep windows closed and
depend on the buildings ventilating
system for fresh air. The warning,
which was issued by J. M. Ward, su-
perintendent of the building, states
that barely enough coal is being re-
ceived to meet the present mild
weather demands.
It Is stated that the air which Is
forced into the rooms in the Municipal
building through the ventilating sys-
screens to remove dust and that the
quantity is never Intentionally less than
the maximum required in public school
practice.
Although the superintendents of the
buildings housing number of the
large government departments and the
engineers in charge of the heating
plants which supply one or more there
OF all agree that there Is more or less
shortage of coal, conditions in none of
them, as far as can be learned, have
compelled similar warnings.
The shortage apparently varies with
the facilities of the dealers, several of
whom supply the various departments
under contract made with the general
Jurisdiction Of the Secretary of the
Treasury.
No Shortage at Capitol.
e. P. Gliem. chief electrical engineer
in charge Of the big plant which heats
the Capitol. Congressional Library and
tho Ho,,ae and Sopate o7e> h,,{1a;rs-,
today stated that his plant was getting
its coal regularly. although advised to
store all it can at present. It now has
on hand some 1900 tons.
The office Of the superintendent Of
the Treasury Department building ad-
mfts some trouble in procuring coal,
but has had to issue no warnings to be
economical. The superintendent of the
State. War and Navy buildings state
ment was almost identical.
w. de c. Ravanel, administrative Of
flcer Of the New National Museum,
says coal is very short, but that no
have as yet been considered
necessary.
]. s Hill. chief engineer of the plant
which heats tho land ONCE. patent Of
fee, pension ONCE. reclamation service.
bureau Of mines. Court Of Appeals and
city hall buildings. and who 10 super
intendent OF the land ONCE building,
today stated that his plant has a large
bunker capacity and has all the coal
needed for the present.
No Trouble In Deliveries.
A shortage IN the coaI supply. but
Dne NOT sufH6snt 70 necessftats warn
lngs 20 be sparfng with ths fresh air
70 far. IL reported from the ONCE of
the superintendent Of the bureau of
engraving and printing.
The superintendent Of the various
buildings which house the Department
Of Agriculture reported that he had
not been notified Of any particular
trouble in coal deliveries and that no
had been issued.
Col. w. W. Harts, superintendent of
public buildings and graunds. stated
any shortage would be SO bad that tho
could not get its usual
coal supply. He said his oficc had
been purchasing a lot Of coal both
and for the White House. Both struc-
lures are lighted. although not heated,
from the same plant, and this lighting,
he said. requires good deal Of coal.
The State. War and Navy building is
used in the lighting. Col Harris stated
that he had no Indications Of any very
needed fuel
That the coal situation Is serious as
regards price, even II it be not SO re-
9ardinE possible shortage. IL evidenced
by a statement made today by william
B. Orme. secretary Of the Washington
Gas Light Company. He said that for
coal which two years ago cost the com
figure now Is $3.50 a ton on board the
coal barges at West Station. whence
the company has to transport 1t to its