New-York tribune., 1917-12-16
Lack of Coal Leads City to
Cut OFF Electric Power
of 1000 Plants
125,OOO Out of Work
War Contracts Affected and
Federal Aid Is Again
Sought
[Spccial Correspondencel

CLEVELAND. Dec. l5.-By cutting
OF the electric power Of 1000 CIeve-
land industrial concerns to-day. throw
ing 125.OO0 workers out OF employment
tho Cleveland Electric Illuminating
Company made it possible for street
cars TO run tonight and tomorrow
OF the hundreds Of cars OF coal
being sent 20 the company. enough Will
arrive by Monday morning compan!
officials confidently expect, TO assure
streetcar and street lighting service
for the city and 10 permit number OF
tho industrial plants TO resume opera
tiors
While agents OF state Fuel Admins
traitor johnson were trying to-day TO
hasten coal TO Cleveland TO keep up
strectcar service an effort was being
made 20 relieve suffering in 2o'oVO
homes that lacked fuel.
Approximately $4,000 tons Of coal or
board two lake boats near Lorain, un-
able TO 20 up the lakes because OF the
ice blockade, we're taken over for local
domestic consumption This coal is TO
be sold. one ton TO customer, by re-
tail dealers. The boats were on their
way from Lorain TO Cleveland, zee
breakers opening a channel for them
II is expepc.cd they Will arrive here
bv noon 20 morrow. ~ ooo
Il is estimated that at least -2'VcV
Cleveland families arc In need OF iuel'
Whether the Cleveland fuel SITUATION
becomes better or worse depenos a.,
most entirely on the weather. uel ad-
roiuistrato-s assert that the cold wave
mas made it impossible for railroads 70
move cars and that the one great hope
for relief can be realized only II the
weather moderatcs.
Al the Weather Bureau tonight
warmer weather was predicted, but u
was indicated that it would be fol-
lowed by falling temperatures by
Wednesday,
To make its scanty supply of fuel last
as long as possible TO keep streetcars
in operation, the illuminating company
cut of current from practically all
users Of power. In addition to tying
ND practically every industry in the
city. this action resulted in the curtall-
ment of elevator service in most Of
the downtown buildings. IL also re-
suited in cutting of much of the light
ing current from these buildings.
The production Of shells, shrapnel,
motors. engine parts, aeroplane parts,
uniforms and other articles for the
War Department was az a standstin
here to-day.
To keep up the public utilities and
TO permit the industries 10 resume op-
erations. Governor Cox, Ct Columbus,
to-day appealed TO r. T. Lovett, of the
Priority Committee, at Washington.
"Clevcland' he stated, probably
the largest industrial centre in this
country, Is suffering for want Of coal.
Unless something is done, public
schools. hospitals and other utilities
must close. The number eight vein
coal mines are not far away. II you
Will authorize the priority order for
transportation of coal we believe we
can send several special trains there
40 once.
"If you would look upon the con-
ditions which I have tried 70 describe
YOU would not hesitate. Please give
us help. We believe we can induce the
miners 20 work Sunday and are quite
assured that We can get the necessary
cooperation between the operators and
the railroad. All We need is your Of
Ac!al consent