Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-25
to Timte- Republican.

Special to Timee Republican.
Des MoineS Oct. 25.--The coal short
age in Iowa is becoming more acute as
the season advances. Complaints are
coming to the state Fuel Administra =
tor Charles Webster almost eevry hour
OF the day from many parts of the
state Of the INABILITY to secure coal.
Arch w. McFar.ane. of Waterloo,
, member Of The house Of representatives
from Black Hawk county in the last
two general assemblies. visited Admin
iStrator Webster to enlist his aid in Sc
curing coal for his trade. Representa-
tive Mct'arlanc is in the coal business
in Waterloo and has been interested
in the industry for fifteen years.
There are many places in Iowa
which are practically without coal and
1t is impossible to get the fuel to them"
said Mr.. MeF'arlane. IF we can't get
coal now what will we do when real
winter weather comes"
Representative McFarlane showed
kilograms of orders TO rush coal which
he was unable to fill because he does
not have the fuel and can't get it altho
he has had orders out to his various
operators for some time. Administra
tor Webster forwarded kilograms TO
operators urging them 10 snip the coal
TO these districts which are without
Il. II the coal is not shipped and COM
munities are without coal the govern
ment has the authority 10 step in and
take the coal and send il 10 these SUI
fer!Eg communities.
Househclders SUFFERING
The househoiders are suffering, ac-
cordirS TO Representative McFar.ane.
because their needs are the last TO he
considered by the big operators. The
manufacturers. railroads and the gov
eminent got first ConsIdsra ton and il
is taking a vast amount OF coal 20
supply them. The strike OF the miners
in Illinois and elsewhere has put the
mines still further behind.
II is estimated by Administrator
Webster that the supply Of soft coal
in Iowa this season will be at least
1000. eco tons short The state con-
surnes about i4,o05, 600 tons annually
and produces about 1.50o. 900 tons. Con-
siderable coal therefore has IS be
brought in from outside the state
Administrator Webster Is giving his
particular attention just now TO reliev-
ing the shortage in Iowa communities
He IS urging people 10 burn more
wood wherever possible and conserve
coal as much as they can.
Ask For Hard Coal.
Federal Fuel Administrator Garfield.
OF Washington. was today requested
by wire 10 forward at once 100 cars OF
hard coal to Iowa. This VIII be dis
t-!outed 20 Iowa points under the d.
rectisn Of State Fuel Administrator
Webster and the state advisory COM
mittee.
Following a conference Of the state
fuel advisory committee held at the
state house Wednesday this action was
determined on. In canvassing the
situation members Of the committee
learned that the following cities are
without hard coal: Council Bluffs,
Mason CITY. Sioux City and Ottumws.
Many other points are reported 10 be
ou- aitbo definite information has not
yet been secured by the committee.
4 survey o: the soft coal situation
in the state Is being made but SUI
h2ient Information Is not Ia the
hands Of the state committee as yet to
show JUS. what the condition is. There
IS a general scarcity however, accord
ing to al, reports. In Des Moines
dealers and operators claim it is es-
peciaiiy hard 20 get deliveries Of coal
as men and teams are not 10 be had In
sufficient numbers TO take care Of the
demand Tor coal. The dealers claim
they are two weeks behind in their
orders. If the early cool weather
mo6sra,es /. Is possible the dealers
II.as aavo 80. @I----.=,-,t--- - catch I'D
alsho many Of them claim they have
been busy delivering coal since August.
The newly appointed advisory COM
mittee on the fuel situation had all
members present Wednesday except
Fred Eolbert- OF Greeley. The othr
members present were: State Fuel Ad-
min.strator Charles Webster; ". F.
Muse. Mason CITY; James F. Toy. Sioux
City: F. A Garfield, Cedar Rapids;
Jack Hughes. Council Bluffs; Charles
Clark. Dies No;nes; A c. Johnson, Du-
buGue.
May Seize Factory Coal.
Evidence has been submitted TO Ad-