The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-02-07
LETTER BRINGS EULOGY
Communication to the Evening News
Carries Praise for Burke = Situa-
lion HAS Been We'll Handled
Danger Is Now Past.

''I cannot too fully express to you
the, keen sense of appreciation / have
for Mr.. Walter M. Burke fot the pat
riotic and intelligent serv lcs he has
rendered the people of Kenosha county.
I know of my own knowledge that he
has given up his time, energy, and vi
tality in a way that is clear beyond
what could be asked of any man, and
he has done it with such cheerful spirit
that it has been a positive inspiration
to all engaged in the fuel administra-
tion work. / sincerely trust that the
people of your county fully appreci-
ate the sacrifice which he has made
in order to carry this work along in
the thoroughly business-ike and eff
fcient way he has,
This glowing eulogy of Walter M.
Burke, fuel administrator for Keno
sha county, was brought to Kenosha
today through letter from State Ad-
ministrator Fitzgerald to the Kenosha
Evening News. The communication
had only praise for Mr.. Burke's work
in meeting the coal-famine in Kenosha
and inferred that his efficiency had been
conspicuous among the records OF fuel
administrator in the state of Wisconsin.
That Administrator Burke is safe
guarding the interests of Kenosha is
still further attested by the following
article published in the Milwaukee
Sentinel for Sunday, February 3rd:
IT have heard nothing from Wash
ington in reference to a discontinue
ancef of the Monday closing order =,
said w. N. Fitzgerald, state fuel adj
ministrator, Saturday night. 'E1'he
situation may have changed materially
in other parts of the country, but here
in Wisconsin and in Milwaukee we
have had more urgent demands for
coal the last week than at any
previous time.
ct do not mean to say any serious
fuel shortage exists here in Milwau-
kee but the confscation of coal for
Wisconsin points coming through from
the Illinois mines by rail, happily
stopped now, has resulted in shorten
ing our supply and the difficulty in
getting hold of cars makes the ship
ment of coal back into the country
very difficult. The situation was com
plicated, also, by the heavy snow fall
and the low temperatures which have
since prevailed.
'sWe have just had appeals from
West Allis and Wales for coal, the
mayor and delegation of citizens
from West Allis coming to the Office
to make a personal statement of the
situation there. / was able to turn
coal already on the cars, to both places
and this sort of thing is the regular
order in this Office
EEWe have also had an urgent ap-
peal for assistance from Kenosha.
There is city Of thirty thousand
which, day or two ago, did not have
fifty tons of coal on hand. Walter M.
Burke, lawyer, is the county fuel
administrator there, and I sometimes
wonder if the people of Kenosha
realize the magnificent work he has
done for them.
stMr. Burke seized all Of the coal in
the city and turned his Office force in
to the coal business, devoting his en-
tire time to the work of seeing that
the coal was distributed where the
need was greatest.
E'By moving heaven and earth we
have managed to get coal and coke
through to him today from Milwaukee
and we hope to get further supplies
from Chicago and Illinois points to
follow up with.
GAS I said at the outset there has
been 70 Improvement in the situation
locally in the last two weeks. The
severe cold has been largely respon-
sibl for this, as it made necessary the
burning of excessive amounts of fuel,
while it also delayed traffic on the
railroads and held up coal shipments,
thus shortening the supply at both
ends. We were fortunate in having
on hand supplies to meet the excess
sive demand.
These testimonials prove conclusive
" that Kenosha has been extremely
fortunate in the government s choice
of a fuel administrator and that Mr..
Burke is doing everything in his pow
er to supply the coal-needs of his con
stitueney in all parts Of the city.