The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-12-21
Publication of Actual Condition iIf Daily
Express Yesterday Causes Big Run
on All Goal Yards
USE AS LITTLE COAL AS
POSSIBLE IS ADVICE
County Attorney VenabIe Says City Has
Right TO Seize Railroad Coal to Avert
Actual Suffering

The coal famine was rendered more
acute this morning when, upon awak-
ening after night on which the mer
curry descended to the five degree
mark, the people of Chickasha en-
countered a snow storm and a
high north wind which sent them sour
rying to their coal bins to investigate
their supplies Of fuel An immediate
demand for coal on the part Of scores
of housewives almost swamped local
dealers in the morning but as the
weather Moderated after fall of be-
tween two and three inches Of snow
the situation became more hopeful.
The concensus Of opinion of dealers,
however, was that a conservation Of
coal supplies by all residents Of Chick
asha would do much toward averting
an absolute famine in case immediate
shipments Of fuel are not forthcoming.
BY using as little as possible Chicka-
sha should weather the storm without
difficulty as many families have large
quantities of fuel on hand. Sales in
most cases today were restricted to
ton or less.
Run on Coal Banks.
"When ! said yesterday that | could
take care of our own customers under
normal conditions for seven or ten
days | did not mean that / could sup
ply the town for that long period
declared V. ~ Adamson, manager Of
the Dayidson-Case Lumber Co., over
the phone at 8 o'clock this morning.
"That, however, seemed to be the con-
struction which the general public has
put upon the statement which was
published in the Daily Express yester-
day and we have been deluged with
orders this morning Should the de-
mand continue at this rate throughout
the day our supply Of coal viii be ex-
haused by night"
Mr.. Adamson stated that the people
of Chickasha were making a run ON
the coal supplies Of the city as they
would make run on bank and that
this might work to hardship on poorer
families later on, on those people who
perhaps cannot at this time afford to
replenish their scant supply ard may
not find it here when they are ready
to buy.
"Our supply is going down. he said,
fright down to nothing. And it is be-
ing bought largely by people who have
no immediate need Of coal That is,
many are buying a ton and two tons
who have nearly that much in their
bins"
Mr. Adamson spoke Of the obligation
Of the coal dealer to protect humanity
and with other dealers suggested the
advisability Of cutting down all sales
to minimum In fact such sugges-
tions were made to patrons this morn
ing.
City Should Seize Coal.
In a case Of emergency such as is
likely to exist should the coal famine
continue and the necessities of the
public demand it, the city council
should meet and pass an order seizing
coal on the tracks Of the Rock Island
or any other road running into Chick
asha and reimburse the owner to the
full value of the amount thus confis-
Gated, declared County Attorney Ven
able to a representative OF the Daily
Express this morning after learning
the critical condition. which is therat-
ened locally
Every city has right 10 60 into
the coal business If it sees fit or in
any other way to interest itself in pub
lie utilities when public needs require
such action. There is seldom day
that there are not at least five cars Of