Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-12-07
U. S. FUEL ADMINISTRATION


becomes my duty 10 advise the people
Of this state of the critical condition
that confronts them in their present
fuel supply. Since my appointment as
Fuel Administrator for Idaho, / have
been trying hard to master the situa-
ton so as TO be able to advise the
people inteliigently as to the true con-
ditions.
During the summer months as a
member of the State Council of De-
fense, ! gave this mattr considerable
attention so l was able to take up the
work on my appointment as Federal
Fuel Administrator for idaho with
some knowledge of the conditions.
IT has been my hope that l would
be able to improve existing conditions
so that the people would at least have
a reasonable supply of fuel for the
winter
During the month of October a small
increase of a thousand tons was made
over the tonnage furnished Idaho in
1916 for that month. I believe thoroly
mat II a priority right was given
coal equal TO that Of food stuffs and
livestock that the conditions would be
so improve that the needs of the people
MOulQ cOOA Ot Alltl LII "a cAl4 A4lNL NfiIot4
efficiency at the mines. Utah and Idaho
were given the first priority right on
the coal faovements issued by the
government. This was brought about
very largely by the efforts of w. w
~ aud mvself.
The record of the Wyoming mines
show conclusively that the priority
DIV = n hac haa
in Increasing Jshe efficiency of the
mines located on the Union Pacific
and Oregon Short Line. Before the
priority right for coal these mines
were only working TO about 55 per
cent of their efficiency. Since the prior
ity right has been in existence. these
mines have raised their efficiency to 95
per cent, giving US a decided increase
in coal from the Wyoming fields.
have to advise the people of Idaho |
however that this priority order hasn't |
done so much for the Utah fields |
While the conditions are improving |
daily in a small way up to the present |
it has not been enough to show any
great increase in the output from the /
Utah fields. Owing to the physical con
ditions and the lack of equipment on
the D. & R. G.. am now satisfied we
have nearly reached the high water
mark.
The conditions that now alarm me
are those over which / have no con-
-rol. and are a serious matter to the
people of this state.
l find that in November 1916. Idaho
-eceived $4,000 tons from the Utah and
Wyoming mines, while for the first
.hree weeks of November 1917, we
)nly received 9,400 TONS I made a
,areful estimate of the coal for the
ourth week of November, and do not
believe it will be possible for Idaho to
eceive more than 1880 tons. giving
his state only 25 per cent of the coal
or November this year as compared
With the tonnage received for Novem-
,er. 1916.
Lately / have spent much of my
ime in Salt Lake City trying to i'm
rove on these conditions. I am advis-
d that owing to the fact that Califor-
ia no longer receives coal from Aus
ralia. that some of the railroads on
he Southern Pacific. which formerly
urned oil. are now forced to burn
oal. and that the great state of Cali
lrnia has become largely dependant
Where a year ago California only re- r
eived IS per cent of its fuel supply
ON the Utah and wyoming mines.
,day they are drawing, ,S5 per cent I
their fuel from these mines il
Then again I find that the railroads O
re forced to draw heavily on all the 8
,al fields of both wyoming and Utah
I feel it is my duty to advise the q
aople of this state of these facts so t
hat thJy may prepare themselves r
r the most serious shortage in coal 81
aho as ever known. I have not Civ
/ up hope that the present conditions o
i'll be improved, and am exerting ev- p
y effort to that end. The time has ii
me when I must say to the people 7,
Idaho. especially those living in :,
where wood is available u
ep your roads open TO the timber, 5
i'd commence at once to supply your e,
II with fuel for the winter: to the -
rmers, you must gather up every
ailable piece of wood upon the farm: &c
you have any dead trees. cut them to
wn and put them into fuel: if it
possible for you to get any kind
fuel. sage brush or anything else.
Ike pile of wood for yourself. IN
Unless the present conditions i'm sc
owe, there will not be enough fuel be
take care of the people in those cit -,
and towns where it is impossible
them to get any considerable sup -
of fuel except coal regret to
wise the people OF Idaho that if the
ortage continues, ii viii soon become
,essary for me to direct the coal to
'se cities and towns that have no
er available fuel supply, only that
coal l feel that 1 would not be
npetent TO fill the position of fuel
for Idaho. If I did not
re the courage to protect the people
far as possible in those communities
t are miles away from any forest.
have called upon the cities, towns
ages and counties in Idaho for a the
survey OF their communities. So for
y better understand the needs of -,
ry community in the state. This
vey is of vital Importance to this Ses
uary 1st.