Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1918-01-17
RAIL TIE-UP IS
BLAMED FOR THE
FUEL SCARCITY
CRy Review LEASED wiren


INDIANAPOLIS. Jan. IL Leaders
among the fifteen hundred delegates
here from the twenty-One coal prOduc-
ing states of the country. attending the
biennial convention of the United
Mine Workers OF America, expressed
sympathy today for people and bust
ness interests in many sections that
are suffering from fuel shortage in
the present severe weather.
The announcement from Washing,
ton. shutting down manufacturing in,
dustries for five days made the miners
realize more than ever before the Sc
robustness Of the situation and the i'm
portanee Of their work to the comfort
and prosperity Of the people. As Sc
rious as the situation is. the miners
say they feel they have done al that
Is possible under present conditions
TO relieve the situation.
Biames Railroads
1hetrOuble is with the railroads.
said John p White. former president
CT the miners union. who now IS as
ISOLATED with National Fuel Admins
traitor Garfield as labor advisor. Mr..
White, who is attending the cOnven-
ton as delegate, said:
IT is not a question of production.
There is plenty of production, but the
railroads cannot move the coal that is
mined There are miners walking the
streets in mining towns right now. IN
employed because the railroads do not
furnish cars.
There ale miles and miles Of load
ed coal cars on railroad tracks that
are not moving. The trouble is the
country has outgrown the railroads.
The railroads have not kept the pace. =
Some Miners Idle
NJ. Whites remarks regarding idle
time among the miners was confirmed
in talks with many delegates from diff
ferent parts Of the country. One lead
81 said there is no general idleness
anywhere. but that in spots. many
spots. he said. men are not working
full time because of the lack of rail
read cars In the central PENINSULA
MA bituminOus fields. one delegate
said, some miners are working on an
average OF three and four days a week
for the last three or four weeks.
In parts Of the anthracite regions
coal companies are not only unable TO
get cars but are not able to get suf-
ficient timber. because CT railroad con-
sestiOn. TO timber the mines. This
means the operations must be sus-
pended until the working places are
made safe for the men.
No Place To Go
The miners today received a practi-
cal demonstration of what 2 coal short
age Teans. Their convention adjourn
ed before neon until tomorrow to per
nit committees TO meet This gave
Uore than a thousand of them an af-
terncon off. but there was no place to
20; because the county fuel admins
traitor las night ordered all theatres.
moving picture houses. bowling alleys.
billiard and pool rooms. lodge rooms.
saloons and churches to close at once
ord remain closed until further notice.
The-e was some grumbling among the
miners over their restricted freedom.
but. all realized the probable necessi-
y Il the action.
TSe convention did little today.
Former President White made a strong
plea for the ratification of the Wash
ington wage agreement through which
the miners received an advance in
wages.
The early adjournment for the day
enabled the committeeman to consider
a large amount of business. There
viii be a contest over the question Of