Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-01
FUEL SITUATION
CAUSING WORRY
IN GRAND FORKS
Local. War Commission
Takes Steps to Study Ship
ments and Shortage.

Local coal men when seen today
refused to comment on the situation
on the ground that their information
was indefinite and incomplete. Nor
would any n venture an approximate
estimate of the tonnage to be used
during the coming season.
A statement madC last night quoting
a government official to the effect
that there was serious danger of a
fuel shortage during the coming win
ter has agitated Grand Forks citizens.
possible to get assurances of future
SUPPLY.
q meeting Of the Grand Forks
war commission a special COM
mittee appointed on the authority
Of the board of directors Of
the Commercial club. which held
its first meeting in the club rooms last
night and discussed some of the inn
portant matters that now confront the
American nation and which may be-
come of particular seriousness in the
northwest in connection with the war.
The war commission Is made up as
follows by men from the various pro-
fessional and business walks Of life:
F. L. McVey, chairman; Leslie stin-
son. George A. Bangs. DR.. e. D. Camp
bell, Joseph Poupore. Mayor j. A.
Dinnie. Tom Parker Junkin, N. q.
Bonner, o. 9. Hanson. DR.. H. H.
Eealy, J.. H. Griffin, ]. Nelson Kelly.
A. veitch, w. H. Brown, Dean e. ].
Babcock. NJ. F. Murphy and e. ].
Lander.
t. Immediate Steps Considered.
Dean Babcock. a member of the
state council Of defense and chairman
Of the fuel committee Of that body.
reviewed briefly the recent meeting
and said the first efforts of that or
labor of the state and what can be
brought into the state. to provide the
maximum of service. The fuel ques-
ton Of the state was discussed al
length at Bismarck, he said and after
Chairman McVey had stated the pur-
pose of the local war commission. the
coal supply was taken up for consid-
Grafton. It was the opinion Of Mayor
Dinnie, w H. Brown, Chairman Nc
who had given the matter some
thought and investigation that the
local coal situation was quite serious
in aspect al the present time.
The message OF Secretary Lane OF
the department Of commerce to Gov
ernor Burnquist of Minnesota that
there would be nc shortage of Goa
SIllpIHSTtS " tllc 1OIllWCSts WdS 4OAt
to be very pleasing information. bu
those who should be in a position tc
be posted could not see how the prom.
Use could be made good without spe.
cial attention by the government.
More importance was attached tc
the statement Of another government
official that there was danger Of sert'
Gus suffering in the northwest from
fuel shortage the coming winter. and
| 1srO{n0 tho atnNk{H0 I'm NJ al1nn1iQa a.
early as possible.
No Assurances Forthcoming.
w. H. Brown of the Red Rive,
Power company said he had been un
able to get assurances Of a supply o.
coal that would last the power com
pany for n length of time. Con
tracts for fuel We're of no avail, a,
the government has taken over tn,
control Of many Of the mines and i
using every pound Of Pocahontas an,
Jackson Hill smokeless Goa for tn,
navy.
It was estimated that at least 6 900
tons Of coal would be needed 70
Grand Forks the coming winter, AM
the stock piles here and at the hea,
Of the lakes we're cleaned out.
Dean Babcock expressed it as hi
opinion that in view Of the danger Q
a shortage In the northwest and o
LuS 0Il6Il 0tUCh6 IOW vi IdIu AL LII
region, together with the importance
Of adequate and timely provisioning
for our fuel needs and to prevent con
gestion of shipping during the move
ment of the crops. and to insure a
large and even distribution of fue
throughout the state. 1t was wise t.
give wide publicity to the situation
and urge the need Of early stocking vi
and distribution by the coal dealers
cities, the schools and public institu
tons, Is we'll as individuals. With tn
difficulty Of securing q supply of tn
eastern coal. it was advisable tina
communities and individuals be urge
to investigate the Ignite coal question
before next fall. The public SHOULD
be informed as to the qualities Of Zig
mite, how and where to get it. tn
methods Of storage and use. The in
formation should go to every tow
and every farm and should be dissem
mated throughout the schools an
other public institutions. The light
producers should be acquainted witt
the true facts Of the apparent short
age. their possible increased tonnag
ascertained and Investigations mad
as to transportation of Ignite coal.
Investigation Started.
After some discussion, 1t was decid
ed that a survey Of the coal situatio,
should be made by a committee to re
port at the next session. The chat
named H. B. Finch. e. j.. Lander
Dean F.. J.. Babcock and Tom Parke
Junkin. chairman.