Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-12-10
CONTINUOUS COLD EATS
INTO SHORTENED
FUEL SUPPLY
DEALERS WORRIED
INABILITY TO GET COAL TO
MEET DEMAND RESULTS IN
DANGEROUS SITUATION -- RE.
LIEF WORKERS OBTAIN SUP.
PLIES FOR ClTY'S UNFORTUN.
ATES.

Ia the grip Of biting northwest
wind for three successive days, OF
tawa climaxcd its suffering from the
intense cold, with typical Medicine
Hat weather Sunday and last night.
While the government thermometer
caught the temperature a. 6l2 degrees
below zero. the smaller indicators
registered as low as 10 below at some
stages of the night.
Saturday night the government con-
traption registered AZ below aud on
Friday night the count was one under
The zero mark. Scycntyiwo hours OF
this kind Of weather has wrought
havoc with the coal piles. among
those fortunate enough to have their
sheds and cellars well filed with
fuel. while intense suffering IL re-.
ported by philanthropic bades, among
the poor. Provisions are being has
ftiy nstIr for those of the city's un-
foriunates who are not properly pro
vided with warm clothing and suili
cicnt fuel TO keep their homes warm
and comfortable, Every effort will
be made by ehartably inclined organ
izations to see that necessities arc
furnished homes that are reported
without them.
Supply Continues "Short."
Coal dealers, face 10 face with u
stringeucy they have long expected
and tried to fortify themselves
against. today announce that Their
supply OF mcrchantablc coal is at the
loves, ebb it has been in year, Ev
cry effort is being made to stock up
TO tide the city over the present cold
spell in hope that by the next zero
weather there will be enough on hand
10 prevent a repetition of the condi
tion confronting them today.
Mine Fires Blamed.
Hires in three or four Of the mines
from which Ottawa has been getting
n portion Of its fuel supply Is attri
bu,cd as one Of the reasons for the
shortage today. Wires were KEEP
hot this mrouing in an attempt to Sc
cure cars for the city, but no en-
couragcmcn, was given these re'
quests.
Il is possible that the situation may
be slightly relieved tomorrow. and
hopes are held out by dealers that
such will be the case. That the con-
dition Is grave and more serious than
they care to state, is generally ad'
mittcd by retailers or the city. De
Ilverics of ton.lots continue and Will
be forced until such time as the
ono dealers announcement to the
sringency is reduced, according 10
Free Tradcr-Journal this morning.
Joy in One Place.
Up al the Ottawa lee u Fuel Com
pauy's plant joy is being shown as 4
result Of the present cold wave tc'
IN the canal, according TO an olllcia
measurement taken this afternoon. II
four and ono.half inches in thickness
and continuation of the present cole
spell means that in week cutters
can begin their operations as preliin
inarics 10 illing the company houses
with their thousands upon thousands
or TONS Of ice for next summers use
Machinery is being placed in shap'
for cutting and in case the Weathc
holds out the harvest will be startc'
at lhc earliest possible moment,
Death Due to Cold.
Chicago. Dec. l0.--With no signs o
an abatement of the cold. Chicago tt
day IL IN The grip OF the most sever
cold spell Of the winter. AT & o'cloc
this morning thermometers in variou
parts of the city registered ) degree
below zero.
Although the weather Is clear an
there Is little snow on the ground til
cold is accompanied by bitter wiz
that adds greatly to the discomfor
One death is attributed indirectl
TO the cold and one man, unconsciou
from exposure and with his hands an
feet frozen, Is IN the county hospita