South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-09
KELLER ORDERS
80 CARS Of COAL
Shipment From Southern Part
of State is Expected to
Relieve Situation.

South Bend face to face with a
coal famine may he saved through
Mayor Kener's action Thursday IN
purchasing I'm southern Indiana
through Clarence Bacon. local coal
dealer. and Councilman Arthur Mil
Ter. so carloads OF coal for distribu-
zion here. Four carloads OF the coal
have been started 20 South Bend
and II they reach here on time early
next week and are followed by a like
amount each day as IL is hoped. what
threatens 20 be the most serious coal
shortage In the history Of the city.
may be averted
The seriousness OF the coal short
age here may well be CLEANED from
the fact that one dealer stated
Thursday that there is not at the
present time 100 tons of coal on
hand In the coal yards Of the city.
Half dozen coal yards have been
closed mp. Others have only "A ton or
80 on hand and unless relief comes
within a few days they viii be forced
10 close. Several have been supply
ing only their Old customers and peo-
pie actually suffering from lack Of
coal FOR the last week or so.
Mayor Takes Hand.
Coal has been coming into the city
only at the rate of a few cars a day
during the last week tr so and the
already small supply Ia reserve here
has been rapidly exhausted. With
the increased demand due 10 the cold
weather which has prevailed for the
last week. the situation became
alarming a few days ago and the
mayor and his advisors ana the
Chamber of Commerce and other or
CARNATIONS began TO take action but
said nothing, fearing that undue
publicity would only aggravate the
situation.
II was finally decided that the city
would purchase through the water
works department coal for distribu-
ton amor the people. Council Mil
Ter and Mr.. Bacon were accordingly
sent 10 southern Indiana To purchase
the coal and word has been received
10 the effect that they have secured
80 cars which it is hoped may be
sent here beginning early next week
at the rate of about four or five car
loads a day.
Turned over to Dealers.
This coal will be turned over TO
the dealers with the understanding
that they are TO sell II only 10 those
people needing coal ana only at the
purchase price OF the coal plus the
cost OF delivery. II is felt that this
will greatly relieve the situation.
The only question now is. when
VIII the coal which has been pur-
chased for use here arrive in the
city? The first shipment is expected
early next week, but no one is Ger
tain when il will actually reach here
due TO shipping conditions which are
tying up transportation everywhere.
Meanwhile citizens with enough
coal On hand 10 supply their temper
airy needs are urged not 10 order
any more coal SO that their less for
tunate neighbors may have chance
10 supply their needs out Of the
scant supply in the city. Dealers are
having some calls from persons with
"A sufficient supply of coal on hand
10 mn their present needs and in
many cases those people are refus
I'd coal and drivers are being in
structed 10 bring back the loads 10
the yards where they find bins al
ready well filled.
Local factories are also in need
OF coal but the situation here is
not quite SO bad as il is in dealers
,oal. As last resort. if relief does
not come in a few days. an effort
may be made 10 secure coal for
private consumption from those con-
Germs with a considerable supply on
hand.