South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-11
DIVINE O'MORE.
COAL SITUATION.

| Editor News-Times
1t is surprising indeed how eager
newly elected officials are to appear
in the umelight and begin talking
about things of which they know
nothing. Mr.. Judson, the council
man from the fourth ward being
an a conspicuous example in re-
gard TO the River Park coal situa-
ton.
Evidently Mr. Judson did not
know that the assistant Of the fuel
administrator in the River Park
district was an appointee of the
Civic federation and not appointed
by the River Park civic organiza-
ton. Mr.. Hardy requested that ali
these assistants be appointed By
the head Of the central organization
Of all civic clubs in South Bend. and
myself being president. the task of
appointed these assistants naturally
fell 20 me Mr.. MOritZ of the River
Park district being one of these
Ii must, therefore. necessarily
follow that I was in no way obh-
gated to hunt up this representa-
tive but naturally it would be as
sumed il TO be his duty 10 come to
me for his instructions. There IS
but one. head Of the Civic fedora
ton i'm South Bend and that head
is the president. at this particular
time being myself. There is no
other person authorized in any way
10 assume the duty Of making ap-
poinments. And all coal cards, il
issued at all under the sanction Of
the Civic federation. should pass
through the hands of myself and
no one else.
Relative To the statement said u
have been issued by me for the clos
ing of River Park school no such
statement was issued by myself.
This statement was issued by Mr..
Hardy and at the time seemed 10
have been justified. In view Of the
fact that coal could neither be Sc
cured from South Bend nor Misha-
waka. MishaWaka schools were
closed to Conserpe their coal Such
being the case they refused 10 send
coal ont of the city into a locality
where a public school was in opera
tion and supplied with plenty Of
coal Mr.. Hardy later changed his
ruling i'm regard 10 the closing OF
the River Park school when he Sc
cured relief from Mishawaka.
In regard 20 the unsigned cards.
Mr.. Juds)n not being familiar with
the method inaugurated by the
Civic federation for identifying
ant. naturally erred in believing
them 10 lee unsigned cards. Ths
method was explained by Mr.. Har-
| dy 20 all assistants i'm this way: In
stead of signing the name Of the
assistant each one was given a Sc
| rial number which was placed OPP
! posite the name Of all helpers in
| the office Of the fuel administrator
| Each number represented the name
OF "A particular assistant And all
cards issued 10 River Park resi-
dents bore a number.
Relative 10 the charge that / did
not consult with the school authori-
/ ties i'm River Park ] confidently re
fer to the principal, Mr. William
son. for substantiation Coal had
| been handed out at the school TO
all those who applied. as stated by
the principal Cards given out by
myself were issued 20 River Park
residents only in the employ OF the
South Bend Watch company. thus
I obtaining a signed statement by
each consumer that he was actually
| I'm need OF coal. thus supplying a
I
could be made should conditions
warrant. 1 hope this will clear W
the misunderstanding regarding the
| River Park coal situation.
Respectfully,
WALTER c. ERLER.