The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-01-03

An unusual ana original pTesentd-
ton of the coal problem is furnished
to The Times By Mrs. A. B. Wood
son, of 1880 Tenth street TaOrthUest,
lUho has kept a diary of her efforts
to get fuel to keep herself and her
children lUdrn. The diary is print
ed just as Mrs. Woodson author
ICES 1t.
By MRS. A. B. WOODSON.
wanted a half ton of coal, and
thereby hangs a tale.
Ny quest of five days for this elu-
sive half ton of coal l have recorded
in a diary, that, in years to come.
when peace reigns over the land, i
may recall real war time conditions
in the nations capital to my grand
children.
This diary I am publishing in The
Times that all the world may read.
1 want the men charged by Uncle
Sam with the duty Of supplying the
people with coal to know exactly
what it means for a lone woman,
without a man to battle for her, to
have literally to fight for five long
cold and coalless days for a half ton
OF coal.
Son In Q. s. Service.
am a widow and my son, the son
who was to have fought my battles
for me, now is fighting for his ma
ton.
My experience was not novel Ny
experience was the experience Of
thousands OF women and unless the
Fuel Administration is more efficient
than 1t has been, my experience will
be the experience OF thousands Of
my diary, beginning with Saturday,
December Is.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER Is.
Ga m.-Good gracious! Only three
bushels OF coal in the cellar, and
have been trying all the week to get
a ton. With this big furnace heat
ing eleven large rooms the three
bushels will soon disappear.
9:16-I tried to get Mr.. X, one
OF the coal dealers with whom l have
dealt before.
The line is busy" piped back Cen
trail / waited a few minutes and
called again. The line was still busy. |
Phone EndIessIy Busy.
9:30-X's phone is still busy. .
He certainly doesn't carry on roman
tic coal conversations? 1t is very
cold. Colder in here, believe, than
outside. KS phone is still busy.
1O:3O-I am getting angry now. Il
haven't been able to get X yet. I
have put in at least twenty-five calls
for him.
2:3O p. nj have called X every
few minutes since morning. The
telephone operator must think am
crazy; but l must order some coal.
Mary is not well. She has a bad cold
and a sore throat 1 cannot leave
her. have not taken time to eat
lunch.
3:3O-Since half past 1 have
held the receiver to my ear listening
for X. No one answers.
I found a list OF coal dealers in the
back of the telephone book and began
calling upon them in rotation.
Those that answered told me that
they didn't have any coal; that l
wasn't a customer; TO ask the Fuel .,
Administration: and 30 many like and
useless answers that / have forgot
ten already. 1 called about fifty coal
dealers in every section OF the city,
and not one could deliver me even a
half ton this evening or tomorrow.
Weaver Ii Busy.
I tried to get Mr.. Weaver, the fuel
administrator, but was told repeat
eddy that he was busy. / then called
the District building and asked for
Major Pullman, superintendent Of Pc
lice. ! never got him, however.
Some one at Police Headquarters told
me that the police authorities could
do nothing for me. There are hun
dreds in your FIX" he said. After call
ing continuously all day l gave up,
sick, nervous. and Disguised.
S-We go to bed to get temporary
relief from the freezing weather.
Mary is quite Ill now. 1 should like
to make the one responsible for my
days work and worry pay for this.