Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-15
Responsibility and Authority IN Fuel
Emergency,

Re responsibility and Authority IN Fuel
Emergency,
Yesterday a telegram was sent -
all chairmen announcing the post
ponenent Of the conference Tor
January Fifteenth aud torhddng all
diversions and coutlscdtions unless
first authorized by the state fuel al
mmistrator.
For the next week ut least. ii is
advisable that every chairman re-
main active In his district in order
that the fuel administration be AIDE
uuately represented throughout the
state during the extraordinary con
dltions now prevailing.
The first duty Of each chairman
il to keep this Office informed Of
al facts and conditions which may
help us in our work Durin. the
blockade. the state administrator
has authority 10 divert coal in tran
sit for emergency domestic Or pub.
he utility use. This power will not
be exercised unless that statement
Of facts shows a real necessity and
also shows that the particular coal
proposed 10 be diverted can he TAX.
en without causing distress else.
where. Most Of III" coal now in
transit to dealers. Is desperately
needed where consigned and can be
diverted only with grave risk. Nev-
erthciess. on a clear showing OF
necessity, authority to divert will be
granted If the particular car mum
her and consignor and consignec is
given. Unauthorized diversion and
contiscation arc unlawful and 'relld-
or the pcrpetrator liable to prosccu-
ion. Al, railroads are ordered TO
raDo1 such laWlces acts.
Use The telephone aud telegraph
freely in keeping in touch with
every community in your district
and With this oilicn Communicate
with this Office BY calling Randolph
1850. Branch ~. Mr.. G. t. Allen. or
Mr.. Joseph halle Schaitner. Direct
or ot state Requirements.
Because Of our responsibility -
consigneCS whose coal has been con.
1scatel in transit. it is absolutely
| essential that every case Of diver
sion or coniiscation be reported inn
mediately ny he local chairman Of
| The district. Failure to DO 81. may
entail grave consequences.
No reQUes for authority to divert
GOA, should be- made until adequate
/ guarantee of payment for the coal
and charges. il prU;urcd. The con
signor aud railroad may mold tn" +
cal chairman responsible for non.
payment. BE sure 10 give Us imme-
diatcly correct nAme and address Of
parry to WON invoice for the d.
verified coal sAa)l be made.
Local chairmcn have full autEo-..
Is over retail distribution in Their
districts. DO not allow induStriats
70 receive any coal during tnis ON.
crgcucy unless tho domestic con-
sumors and pubic rtGtiel are pro.
yded for. Before il Is UNDECIDED,
! YOU have authority over all toal
consigned 10 your ,.istl It and Won
may distribute it according Ia your
/ Judgment. Goa, that has been nm
/ loaded may u1J he eogiis'aI"},
When badly needed for domestic at
public Willy Uses, request should
be made OF the owner II refused
notify u II once
The blockade may not be com
/ pletely broken for many days anil
communities which have no cGa'
in transit nor any which the loca
! commit &c can ask 70 ,bc diverted
as above. must prepare them selves
to meet The emergency by conserY
ing ,1o supply on hand. This 'r1r
best b. done by the local commit
tee. by cutting off tho supply from
all nou-osscntlal consumers. az
corling to the sentiment Of The com
munitY Substitutes should be use
to the uiWOsu