Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-16

Three hundred tons Of coal ar
rived in Rock Island today to give
partial relief to the fuel famine, the
worst the city has experienced in
years.
Yesterday there was but 800 tons
in the city and this was practically
all distributed az noon today. 1t was
thus imperative that more coal be re-
ceived in the city today and it was
fortunate that even SO small an
amount as 800 tons was secured The
normal consumption in the city is
about one thousa nd tons. 1t can be
seen that gradually the situation will
grow worse il not more than three
hundred tons is obtained daily.
H. A. ClevenstiIe, chairman of the
Rock Island coun ty fuel board, an
1iounced today that a further suspen-
sion of business activity will take
Mace Immediately In this city as a re-
suit Of agreement upon various lines
81 business to reduce the working
hours as a means OF conserving coal.
Mr., Clevenstine was unprepared to
estimate the probable length of the
crisis. but he declared there is more
coal enroute to this city and that as
fast as the railroads can remove it
relief will be given.
Store Close Early.
Grocery stores, meat markets, drug
stores and confectionery stores today
agreed to follow the footsteps Of the
saloons and cigar stores in reducing
the time they keep open. The meat
markets and grocery stores will not
open until 8 o'clock in the morning
and will close not later than o'clock
in the evening. This applies to the
entire county, Moline, East Moline,
Silvis and Milan being included. Clos
ing all day Sunday was also agreed
to by these stores.
Churches and lodge organizations in
formed Mr.. Clevenstine today that
they would discontinue holding meet
ings until such time that the crisis
has passed. Office buildings will not
be opened in the morning until 3
O'Clock and will close earlier in the
evening. Announcement came from
the Chamber OF Commerce headquar-
tiers that the Rock Island club will
close Immediately after the dinner
hour evenings during the period OF
the fuel shortage.
- Mines in Rock Island and Mercer
counties have become more active as
result of the famine here. The roads
have been bad, making it difficult to
secure coal from the mine at Coal
Valley, but today number of teams
were out. AS the roads improve more
fuel will be hauled from this mine.
The passenger train on the Peoria
division of the Rock Island lines,
which arrives at 11:15 o'clock in the
morning had a coal car attached to
it. The car was placed on the train
at Coal Valley and contained fuel
which was distributed among the
larger office buildings and the Young
Mems Christian association.
Little Increase.
Mr.. rlevenstine declared today that
in spite of the shortage fuel is not
advancing greatly in price, the present
object of the dealers not being to
make any profit but to handle the
crisis SO that the public will not be
greatly iIlconvenienced.
Dealers are being besieged with de-
mands for COAL Each order sent in
is investigated. Unless there is imme-
date need on the part of the patron
coal is not given.
The Rock Island and Milwaukee
lines have announced a reduction in
the number of trains. Two have been
taken Off Of the Milwaukee and sew
eral will be removed from the sched-
ule of the Rock Island in an another
week
Mr. Clevenstine today declared that
he is working under orders Of the
United States fuel administration and
that he has no alternative but to fol-
low instructions as they are given
him. There is patriotic disposition
on the part of the people Of the city
to cooperate in every possible way
with the administration, he says.