The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-12-29
COAL SHORTAGES
OVER IN CAPITAL,
SNEAD DECLARES

A reassuring picture Of coal condi-
tions in Washington was presented
today before the subcommittee of the
Senate Manufactures Committee,
which is inquiring into the nation
wide coal shortage. l. A. Snead, fuel
distributor under the Garfield fuel
regime, drew the picture.
At the same time, he charged the
local dealers had not co-operated with
the Fuel Administration.
He declared the Capital would not
suffer for lack of coal this winter,
and that the fuel supply would be
equal to the demands upon 1t.
This reinsurance gave some COM
fort to Senator's who had gone to
. their offices muffled in fur coats,
with more or less worry on their
minds as TO the future condition OF
their coal bins.
Admitted Shortage.
Mr.. Snead did not deny there had
been shortage here. In fact, he admit
ted when on the stand yesterday that
1t had been found impossible to sup
ply those in need in Washington be-
cause persons who already had coal
in their cellars were garnering in
NOA uuAAA AlAH was sAOPpNN w
the card system, Mr.. Snead said, was
this situation improved.
While the snow swirled and the
blizzard ragged outside today. Mr..
Snead talked in cheerful fashion OF
the Washington coal outlook.
shipments to Washington this
month" he said. 'are $4,000 tone more
than for December OF last year.
There is a blizzard raging today. but
1000 tons are on the public dumps
which SUPPLY the small dealers and
the poor. A thousand tons of Gov
ernIaent coal were recently added to
the public supply here"
When before the committee yester-
day. Mr.. Snead declared the system
of requiring persons asking for coal
TO sign statements showing what coal
they have. and the system OF whole
sale dumps for the small dealers,
ought to be adopted the country over
II developed in the codrte of the
hearing that the Capitol building was
recently in danger of having to close
down for lack of fuel. Mr.. Snead ad-
mitted that about two weeks ago the
supply for this building and the Of
flee buildings was down to a low ebb,
just a few tons. Thirty cars of navy
coal were turned over to the use OF
the Capitol.
Mr.. Snead sal dthat coal for the
public buildings wag being purchased
by Fuel Administrator Weaver.
Kenyon Asks Questions.
Senator Kenyon. who had trouble
getting coal 70 ra poor family, went
to the committee room today i'm
pressed with the feeling coal was
scarce in Washington and he asked
Mr.. Snead a lot of questions.
why are they selling coal in
bushel lots?" asked Senator Kenyon.
Mr.. Snead sal dthe local fuel ad-
ministration had been asked TO keep
deliveries down to one or two tons
because otherwise the wealthy would
buy more than they need.
'-Would there be a normal supply
IL there had been no hoarding: ask
ed Senator Kenyon.
Il believe So" said the witness.
Then the cellars OF the rich are
full of coal and the poor are buying
in bushei lots?" observed Senator
Kenyon.
Nj. Snead told OF the formation Of
the local coal bureau, and in this con-
nection was led TO say that the local
dealers had not co-operated with the
fuel administration.
Senator Kenyon said he knew il was
pretty hard to get even bituminous
coal here.
81 know OF poor people who were
offered it yesterday at 40 cents q
bushel.l said Senator Kenyon.
That would be about S12 a ton"
said the witness, "but no one is suffer
ing for lack Of bituminous coal in
Washington.
Mr.. Snead said that ash wagons and
other Government wagons and con-
Veyances might be requisitoned to
haul coal.
VIII Furnish Name.
He assured Senator Kenyon that he |
would take Il up with the local fuel |
administration il appraised OF the /
name OF the dealer Offering coal for |
20 cents q busheL Senator Kenyon |
said he would furnish IL.
Mr.. Snead said that though dis |
tributing facilities here were not |
equal to the needs, he was not appre- 4
hensive OF failure to meet the situa- I
tfon.
Senator Kenyon wanted to know IL I
local dealers here were not trying to /
hinder the fuel administration.
Il can't say that. said Mr. Snead,
but / will say that they haven't Co I
operated with me-"
Senator Reed suggested that as /
Congress was in full control in Wash
ington, the Government ought to |
handle the coal here completely il !
IT attempted TO have anything to do
with it.
With the city in the grip OF one CT
the most bitter cold waves OF rereat
years. emergency coal stores, created by
Federal Fuel Administrator John l..
Weaver to relieve suffering In the Capt.
tai were drawn upon for the frss tIme
today. I
Distribution OF TIE limited emergency
stodes on hand was begun just in time.
and the city was better prepared for
the seasons lowest temperature than il
was when the cold wave OF two weeks
ago struck
EDUCATIONAL.
ERESCH. SPANISH-RApid. oouveruation
COLLEGE PREPARATORY: all Govern