Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-02-27
B. J. MCKAY, WOOD
FUEL COMMISSIONER
Has Been Appointed to Organize and
Adopt Measures to Realize ON
the Wood Assets of Winne-
shiek County.
WOODED DISTRICTS WILL BE
RESTRICTED IN GETTING COAL
Government Wants All Available
Wood Cut in next go Days, Thus
Preparing for Any Future
Coal Shortage.


B. j. Mckay, cashier of the Citi-
zens Savings Bank of Decorah, has
been appointed County Wood Fuel
Committeeman for Winneshiek county
to organize and adopt measures
which will make it possible to real
iZe on the wood assets of this county.
1t has been suggested that every
reader of this paper who has wood
that could be chopped that the
| government would appreciate it to
cut it all in the next 60 days.
Wooded districts will be restric-
ted in getting coal, and it is up to
the people in these particular dist
riots to cut the wood. Suggestions
to the local wood committees are as
follows:
Although we are not safely
through this winter the indications
are now that We will weather the
storm without unusual hardship or
suffering. Indications are that con-
ditions will be even more serious
next winter than they were this win
ter, and we should begin to prepare
now.
AS you know, the next few months
are the ones best suited to the cut
tig of wood, and l trust you will i'm
press upon your municipality, your
county, your wood dealers, and the
farmers of our county, that all pos
slble wood should be cut during the
next sixty days, with view to sup
ply demands for wood which we are
certain to have next winter If the
coal shortage is again acute next
winter there seems to be a strong
probability that communities which
ted il their supply of coal. 1t
would, therefore, be Only ordinary
forethought if these communities
would prepare now for this ext
gency, and accumulate as large a
supply of wood as passihle.
The United States Department of
Agriculture has made the following
suggestions Which originated with
the Chief Forester of the CorHer-
vation of Canada.
There must be some definite
orgaoization for utilizing the large
supply of cord wood available for
fuel. My idea is that the city and
municipal Government ought to go
into the matter definitely and invest
a moderate amount of money in
building up reserve of wood which
can be drawn upon whenever the
coal shortage makes it necessary"
The following suggestions and re-
commentators may be Of service
to the Local Wood Committeeman
in their work.
Cd Farmers and owItrs of wood
lots should be impressed with the
idea that there will be a market
for wood next winter, and that the
cutting of available timber now will
be a wise investment Of time and
They can also be sure that
they will be permitted to charge a
price which will be fair to them and
permit of very reasonable profit.
CD Local organizations of every
kind should be asked to aid in the
work. Such as country clubs, boy
scouts and womens organizations OF
one kind or another.
CD Every owner of native timber
can assist by cutting wood from the
dead trees. This wood is dry ald
will make good fuel without season.
ing. 1t can, be used at once.
(4 Every owner of planted groves
Of maple, ash, cottonwood, or other
Trees can get large quantities of fuel
by cutting out dead material. The
grove will be improved and a supply
,f emergency fuel provided.
CD Induce your municipal and
county authorities to adopt definite
policy as to cutting and contracting
Tor a large supply of cord wood for
next winters supply.
CO. Encourage wood dealers to
now for wood supply for
next winter, and also encourage FAR
mers to cut cord wood for next win
ter's market.