Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-30
war MAKES IT
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uUU cl0lAkV IL
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gin that dealers would be permitted to
charge for coal. Idaho was the first
of the states to take this step. Our
example has been followed by a num-
Der of others. The gross margin as
allowed at the Boise meeting has since
been increased to provide for local
conditions not apparent when primary
action was taken. Speaking generally,
both dealers and consumers have ex-
pressed satisfaction over the gross
margins as fixed.
SEARCH FOR DATA.
At the Boise meeting plans were de-
termined upon. for the securing of
data as to coal supplies then on hand
and the fuel needs of the state for do
nestle and commercial purposes dur
ing the remainder of the fuel year
ending May /, 1918. This accomplished,
the state fuel administrator began the
hardest fight Of not overly peaceful
and tranquil career. This was a fight
to secure for the people Of Idaho suf-
ficient coal and other fuel to meet
their needs during the winter months.
l feel that it has been providential
that there has been no cold weather
in any part of the state up to this
writing. With the fuel supply as l
have found it, considering the amount
of fuel 1t has been possible to divert
to Idaho from the Wyoming and Utah
mine fields, with as severe winter
weather as was experienced last year
at this time, the most bitter suffering
would have been endurd by many Of
our people.
From the estimates secured and
from survey later made it was deter
mined that to supply the day to day
wants Of the people of Idaho for coal
during ordinarily severe winter wealth
er 1t Is necessary to bring into the
state and deliver about $500 to $1,000
tons daily. This would indicate dur
ing the winter months the consump-
ton of coal from Utah and Wyoming
mines of at least $4,000 tons monthly
and If the weather is very severe this
amount would be swelled to nearly
100000 tons.
| The state fuel administrator
quickly learned that it was one
thing to form a plan Of action, but
an entirely and sometimes wholly
impossible thing to carry out such
plan. The plan was to secure
the shipment into Idaho from Utah
| and Wyoming mines an average.
for the seven months beginning
Oct Of at least 10000 tons. in
addition to inducing the people of
Il tha rfat ~ ka oil nnSsihln
Of other fuels-principally wood
and electric heat.
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS.
How nearly the administration has
come to the carrying out of it's plans
may be indicated by the following re-
ports: Deliveries Of coal to Idaho
points by the oregon Short Line dur
ing October were given as something
over 10000 tons, during November
less than 10000 tons; for the first week
in December Qast report received)
IL, 900 tons. As l have explained above
only kindly providence has kept
watchful care over the Idaho people
and prevented suffering.
AS 1T is MANY HOMES AND NU-
NERVOUS SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN
|
SAGEBRUSH AND OTHER WOOD
TO KEEP OUT EVEN THE MILD
DEGREE OF COLD EXPERIENCED
Perhaps It would be made more plain
to those of US whose lives are so or
dered that hardships pass us by. il
a brief statement of some of the re-
; suits secured by coal survey now
under way throughout the state were
given. AS an illustration the Hager-
man valley is taken. After 1t was
supposed that the Hagerman people
had been fully cared for. the commun
ity having received what was regard
ed as a fairly liberal supply Of coal
the fuel survey was undertaken. There
were IA places Of business and house
holds inspected and listed. 1t was
; found that Ga families were either
wholly out Of coal. or that coal or
hand did not exceed a supply for q
week or ten days. There were 2S 9th
er families who had from 500 to 1000
pounds of coal, sufficient in colo
: weather in no instance for more thar
two weeks supply The same thing
in the matter of proportions, was In
dicated by the Meridian community
Star, Greenleaf, American Fails, Du-
: bois, Payette, Weiser, Cambridge ane
perhaps so other towns from whom re.
= ports of completed surveys have beer
3 received. It has become evident thai
t during the past three months the stats
5 has been receiving two tons Of Goa
! and burning three, and that If thi,
shall continue in very short time thu
people will be called on to face, with
e cold weather at hand, a serious fue
e famine.
NOT DISCOURAGED.
But the Idaho fLel administration |,
not discouraged. On the contrary W,
all feel that the future is rosy will
promises of better things. During tn,
past week the coal operators in thu
Utah and Wyoming mines have giveI
us assurances that our coal shipme MT
from now on and throughout the win