Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-12-20
The Fuel Situation in Jefferson County.

The Fuel Situation in Jefferson County.
The fuel survey for Jefferson county
made recently by the county fuel COM
mittee, OF which E. E. Cooke, OF Charles
Town, is the efficient chairman, revealed
some interesting facts concerning the
fuel situation. At the time the survey
was made if was shown that the retail
dealers had in stock only l56 tons OF
soft coal and 325 tons of anthracite.
Every month OF the winter under normal
conditions they need about 975 tons OF
soft coal and $50 tons OF anthracite.
The industries OF the county are very
little better supplied than the individual
consumer, when their greater reeds are
considered. The factories, mills, brick
yards and quarries TO keep them going at
top speed need every month 1925 tons OF
soft coal and 425 tons of coke. Their
hard coal requirements aer only few
tons.
To heat the public buildings, including
the schools OF the county, through a
winter season OF average severity, l,15O
tons OF soft coal and 30 tons OF hard coal
are required. While they are fairly we'll
supplied, there is not enough on hand TO
carry them through the winter. Some Of
the churches are supplied with practically
enough to keep them heated the remainder
OF the season. There is liberal supply
OF coal for the schools OF Charles Town
and Kabletown districts, each with al
most enough 10 keep them going till
spring, while in the other three districts
there is only scant supply. Storer
College, which uses about 500 tons every
winter, has 80 tons in its bins. Shepherd
College, which takes about ITS tons, is
worse off, there being only five tons in
storage here.
Among the retail dealers in Charles
Town there were in stock so tons OF hard
coal and 10 tons OF brtumnous. Shep-
herdstown dealers had about 100 tons OF
anthracite in stock and no sctt coal at all;
Reed & Myers, at Duffields and Reedson,
had about so tons all told. Harper's
Ferry dealers reported on hand l35 tons.
One dealer at Summit Point had 40 tons
OF bituminous coal. There were none al
Rippon and only six tons at Bakerton
available for individual consumers.
County Chairman Cooke sent 10 State
Fuel Administrator J. Walter Barnes, OF
Fairmont, a detailed report OF the survey
made and of the action OF the coal dealers
held in Charles Town last week. and has
received the following reply from Mr..
Barnes
Fairmont, w. Va. Dec. IA. 1917.
E. E. Cooke, Esq,
Chairman Fuel Committee,
Charles Town, w. Va.
Dear Sir-Your last letter, enclosing
agreement between dealers Of your
county and their statements OF their needs,
has been received. must thank you
for your excellent work in this matter.
lOu ldNC SOllSH tiIC oltudliOu "Nl W.
hand, and have a most admirable ar
rangement among your people | am
sure may reply upon the report you
make, and have accordingly this day
wired formal request to a lumber OF
former suppliers OF this trade TO take
care of the situation. Some replies are
already in, indicating that my request will
be acted upon believe that you may
expect relief TO come in promptly. II
not, keep me advised. For the satisfac-
ton OF the dealers and the public, will
SIX you kikdy TO get this information to
them for me.
Very truly,
] WALTER BARNES,
Fuel Administrator.