The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-08-28
URGES STATE TO
LIGNITE
COAL DEPOSITS
TO STAY FAMINE
Major j. S. Murphy Thinks
Governor Should Name
Special Commission
RAPID ACTION rs
DEEMED NECESSARY
Railroads Unable to Han
die All Traffic Demands
Made Upon Them

Utilization Of the ignite coal
supply available in North Dakota is
urged by j. s. Murphy. immigration
commissioner Of the Soo- railroad, as
a means Of avoiding the possibility
Of a serious fuel famine, and m q
communication to The Forum, he
suggests the appointment by the
governor of a commission to make a
study of the situation, and take such
action as may be deemed advisable TO
bring results.
Proper handling of the question,
Mr.. Murphy believes, would result in
the enlistment of the capital neces-
sary to the proper development Of
the states Ignite deposits.
Mr.. Murphy quotes at length from
letter received by him from Dean
e. ]. Babcock, of the school Of mines,
University of North Dakota, in sup
port of his proposal.
President Edmund L. Pennington,
Of the 500 railroad, who foresees and
realizes the various problems that
must be contended with by the
transportation companies of the
northwest during the coming win
of the people of North Dakota, and
especially those living in 500 line
territory, to the question of fuel, with
special reference to the native coal
of the state" says Mr.. Murphy. In
a rigorous climate such as ours, one
of the greatest economic questions
is always that of fuel Plentifulness
and accessibility of coal in an agri-
cultural state, is a great asset.
Drastic Steps Necessary.
"You have observed the drastic
but apparently necessary steps taken
by the government during the past
weeks regarding the handling, trans
portation,, price and general control
of both bituminous coal and anthra-
cite. When you realize that up to
this time (about Sept. ID for the
year 1917, less than IS per cent OF
the usual coal supply delivered at
lake. head points for distribution
over the northwest, has been deliy-
cred this year. you will conclude
that the sensible activity of the civic
organizations of the twin cities and
Minnesota generally in inducing the
to act in the coal sit
uation, was the thing to do. A fuel
famine in, the midst of a northwest
winter with the railroads tied up and
crippled, maybe, is not a pleasant
thing to contemplate, even in the
month of August.
Undoubtedly the situation gen.
orally will improve somewhat from
now on, but we can hardly expect
the normal and usual supply of coal
at the head Of the lakes, or in the
hands of dealers and consumers ere
navigation closes in about 80 days
hence. Close observers are convinced
that in spite of the best efforts on
the part OF the government, a short
age in the fuel supply Of the north
west is bound to result.
"a Unable To Expand.
For reasons which will not enter
into at this time, the railroads dur
ing the past few years have been
estopped from furnishing
the improvements and equipment
necessary to the end that the rail-
roads may be enabled to keep in step
with other industries and the prog
ress and expansion OF the country
The history of last winter
demonstrated the inability of the
railroads to meet the demands plac-
ed upon them during the days OF
stress and congestion. mention
those things to call attention to the
possible inability of the railroads
North Dakota to furnish
an adequate supply Of eastern coal
on short notice.
North Dakota has, according to
government geologists, more tons Of
coal underlying its surface than any
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