Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-29
STORM MAKES
COAL PROBLEM
AGAIN SERIOUS
Householders Swoop Down
and Raid Delivery Wagon
Stalled in Snowdrifts

Harrisburgers are being warned
by local coal dealers to prepare for
n blue week." when the dealers
this morning surveyed the prospects
of coal shipments for the rest of the
week.
Coal shipments. which last week
were heavy enough TO save the city
from acute discomfort, fell off con-
sideraoly over Saturday and Sunday.
and dealers say there is every reason
to believe that the severe storm OF
Yesterday will bring in its wake a
renewal of the coal shortage which
was only slightly relieved by last
weeks shipments.
Saturday and Sunday there were
but two cars of anthracite shipped
INTO Harrisburg. Mr.. Hickok said.
During yesterdays heavy snowfall,
SIX more cars were added to Har-
risourg's total. making a total ship
ment IN three days of eight cars.
Thirty cars Of coal day are neces-
sary for the comfort of the city,
dealers say
Hit by Storm
Owing 10 the storm yesterday the
coal which arrived in the city has
not yet been placed in the yards of
the dealers. but is still standing on
railroad sidingS. Dealers say that
the supply of coal in the city will
not last any length or time. and
that immediate shipments are i'm
perative TO save the city from a re-
newal of the experiences of a week
ago, when there WAS decided suf-
fering all over the city. The deal
ers said this morning that they do
not look for any immediate ship
ments of coal. as the roads have
been tied up so much that they can
not even locate the cars consigned
10 them.
Dealers have been almost helpless
in their efforts TO make deliveries
since the storm yesterday. Almost
every dealer has experienced break
downs in his truck and wagon Serv-
ice, and few of them We're put out
of business yesterday by the deep
drifts. ]. II. Gates. of Gates & Co,
reported one of his trucks was on the
streets delivering three tons Of coal
to customers up town when it broke
down in the heavy drifts, and the
driver had TO phone to the office for
relief. While he was waiting for
help residents of the neigh hborhood
got wind of the presence of the coal
laden truck and petitioned the
driver to sell it TO them.
Help Themselves
The crowd collected in spite of
the refusal of the driver TO sell the
coal, and before he knew IL they
were swarming over the truck with
bushel baskets, coal scuttles and
sleds taking the coal IN bushel lots
and paying the helpless driver as
they gleefuily hurried away with
their treasure. This episode hap
pened at Sixth and Dauphin streets.
Thirty families suffering from the
coal shortage were relieved by the
fuel commission Yesterday. it was
reported at the Chamber of Com
merce Office. These cases were re-
ported by police ana by the fuel
commission investigator to be ur-
sent. as the families We're all afflict-
cd with sickness and were entirely
without coal. Eighty calls We're re-
b. c.ved from people without as much
- half a ton of coal.
Two Dealers Refuse
The fuel commission investigator
t':is morning said that only two
'ealers have refused TO cooperate
wiki the fuel administrator and the
police department TO furnish coal TO
urgent cases in the city. All the rest
of the dealers have gwen the fuel
commission orders preference. it was
said at the Chamber of Commerce
office this morning. 1t is reported
that the Mayor will proceed against
the dealers who refuse to cooperate
and confiscate their coal. The Mayor
issued 4 proclamation TO that effect
last night. The proclamation fol-
lows:
Gentlemen:
Through information furnished
me by the fuel agent for the Cham
ber Of Commerce. the city police de-
partment, and from my own per-
sonal knowledge. ii is evident that
several coal dealers are rot assisting
in relieving the suffering among
citizens which has resulted from the
coal shortage. The families in which
there is suffering or illness, or where
there are aged people or very young
children. must be provided with
fuel. and | request that YOU give
immediate attention to the emer-
gency cases which are reported to
you by the fuel agent, making such
deliveries prior TO those for your
regular customers. Requests for coal
will be made to you only in proper
ton to the amount of coal received
by each dealer and each one should
bear his share of this emergency
work. Unless such action is taken
by the dealers, I. as Mayor of tho
city. will take whatever steps may
he required to prevent suffering on
the part of any citizen.
(Signed)
'sn ANIET. EETGTEP