The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-21
FARCE, SAYSLODGE
OF WEAVER COAL
QUESTION BLANK

Declaring that the coal requisition
blank issued by John l.. Weaver. Dis
, trict Fuel Administrator. creates dis
content. annoyance and anger when
the Government wishes to stimulate
unity and good feeling in every way,
Senator Lodge charged on the floor
OF the Senate yesterday that the
whole proceeding with respect to the
storing OF next winters coal was ut
terly pointless and would be pure
farce II II did not border on tragedy
in its effect upon the public mind.
This statement was supplemented
by similar sentiments from Senators
Harding and Thomas. who derided
the Fuel Administration.
Senator Lodge read into the record
the Weaver rcquisition form, inject
ing It into the wheat price debate. He
said:
perpetual MeddIInE.7
"I want TO call the attention OF the
Senate-it is the only way we can
bring these things QUITO this perpet-
uaI meddling that is going on with
the American people in every form
OF business.
81 hold in my hand a circular just
issued by the United tSates Fuel Ad-
mlnistration. through Mr.. John l.
Weaver, Federal fuel administrator
for the District of Columbia. Their
titles are always ample, II nothing
else. Last year. as everyone knows,
the filling of bins in the summer time,
when railroad transportation was
easiest and the consumption OF coal
least WAS frowned upon-not only
frowned upon, but people who at
tempted il were denounced as hoard
ers. That remained the policy of the
Fuel Administration down 20 the ap-
pearance in the newspapers of the
draft of the report OF subcommittee
investigating the coal situation.
which was prepared by the Senator
from Missouri. Then they changed
their position and were going to en-
courage the filling of bins and laying
In a supply of coal in the spring and
summer months. AS 1t happened, 1t
came out very tremendously just at
the time-slmost the very day-that
1 made my speech attacking their
boarding order of hte previous year.
1t is in this connection that this cir
cular is issued.
Liable To A Fine.
Here it is. II you do not tell the
truth in answering these Inquiries
you are liable to a fine OF $4,000 or
two years in prison, or both; and
these are the inquiries:
Name of dealer, -.
Quantity required for year ending
March 81. 1919, -. Heater -.
Il suppose the heater means the
Quantity desired for immediate
delivery, -. Heater. -. Range,
"'0f total requirement is over 6
tons. dealers can deliver only two
! thirds of order.)
Quantity consumed during year
ending March 81, 1918. -. Heater.
--. Range. --.
Quantity now on hand. -. (see
I footnote.)'
THAT gives an explanation OF how
| YOU are TO divide il up and how much
I you will get, and II you do not give
| the exact weight OF the coal in your
cellar you are in danger OF paying
a fine of $4,000 or going to jail for
! two years, or both
kind OF building, -
Number OF rooms, --.
"'CDo not include bath rooms or
hallsl.'
I'm many houses, Of course, the
| house is largely heated from the hall.
| That is the chief delivery Of heat
I from a furnace. Therefore you are
( to exclude 1t in giving the number
| OF rooms
kind OF heating plant. --.
Have you any untitled orders
with other dealers? II so, amount
and with whom,
Heater, -. Range. -.