Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-06-14
CONSERVATION OF
n. {. COAL SUPPLY
Reduction of Passenger Train
Service Urged among
! Other Things.

st. Johnsbury, June flames J. Stor-
row of Boston, chairman of the
Massachusetts committee on national de-
Tense, has been made chairman of the
New England coal committee, and by the
advice of Governor Graham. Hugh j. M.
Jones of Montpelier. George F. Chaffee of
Rutland and Frank II. Brooks of St
Tohnsbury were placed on this commit
tee to represent Vermont. A meeting OF
the New England committee was recent
~ held at the State House in Boston to
take steps to see that New England got
Is fair share of the coal in the country
for industrial and domestic use next fall
and winter. Prominent and influential
business men from all the New England
States were present, including coal deal
ers. railroad and industrial officials.
After full day of earnest discussion
several resolutions were adopted. These
In themselves. reveal the serious situa.
ton that confronts New England. and
should lead all to cooperate to the end
that all coal coming into New England
be carefully used and every means
adopted to get the most heat units out
of It,
These resolutions were unanimously
adopted
Resolved, That in view of the scarcity
Of all kinds of coal in New England, the
railroad companies be requested to with
draw at once all arrangements for hold
Ing and diverting coal in transit.
Resolved. That a copy of this resolu-
ton be sent to the interstate commerce
commission, with the request that the rail-
roads be authorized to do this upon short
notice. SO as to put a stop to the specula-
ton in free coal, which tends to greatly
increase the price of the commodity and
to restrict the use of coal cars
Resolved. That the number of pas
senger trains operating in New England
should be reduced substantially. so that
only the essential minimum number OF
passenger trains should be continued In
service. in order that railroads should be
enabled to utilize during the next few
months the largest possible proportion OF
their motive power. and facilities for the
movement of coal and that it is the opin-
Ion of this committee that If this action
Is not taken and taken promptly, so that
the requisite coal can be accumulated to
meet the needs of next winter. there will
be serious shortage during the COM
Ing winter months of both household coal
and the coal needed to keep the New
England industries running
Resolved, That the secretary be direct.
ed to send copy of this resolution to
the interstate commerce commission and
the public service commission of each OF
the respective New England States
With regard to the inconvenience the
travelling public will be put to, it must
he borne in mind that we must keep the
supplies of raw materials constantly NOV.
ing over the rails. Is it better to be long
on conveniences and Short" on the neces
stiles that will keep us alive and enable
our industries to keep on doing bust
ness? If the public wishes the latter in
the face of the tremendous de-
roads to transport troops, munitions
supplies, and the heavy tonnage required
for industrial and domestic supplies, il
must expect to give up some of the con-
veniences and luxuries that are fur.
nished by the railroads in the form OF
passenger trains. that do not pay, ant
that, for the present at least, can bt
dispensed with.
The Vermont committee urges all Yer.
made by the committee in the same
patriotic manner that it has to Governor
Grahams and President Wilson's reason
able and imperative requests. The work
OF this committee is part of the work OF
the national defense council, is CO.
operating with State and national bodies
and asks the cooperation of the public
as we'll