Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-05
CHICAGO IN
Grip WORST
FUEL famine

Chicago, Feb. 4.-Chicago's third heat
less Monday, also the coolest day of the
year saw the city in the grip of the
worst fuel famine in its history.
Suffering was widespread hundreds OF
persons besiegng the offices of the fuel
administration for the pink coal Sins
which proved valueiess when presented at
many yards which were closed because OF
lack of fuel.
Chicago ,is freezing and something
must be done at once" said Fred W. Cp-
ham, president of the largest coal COM
pany in the city. But the dealers. wit
empty yards, are powerless to relieve the
situation"
Hotels are crowded with househoIders
who had closed their homes because Of
lack OF fuel In the poorer quarters Of
the city neighbors huddled together in
the homes having fuel.
With the temperature 10 below zero
men. women and children formed long.
shivering lines before coal yards begging
meager supplies which were carried off
IN baskets. Meantile hundreds OF car
loads of coal destined to Chicago vera
! tied up in the traffic channels choked bv
recent Billiards Early clearing of this
congestion and relief for the city was
promised by the state fuel administration
tonight. In the face OF the famine there
came IN reports Of more than 80 viola
lions OF the heatless Monday order
Search Bins in Newport
Newport, r. l., Feb $50 acute has
the shortage of coal become in this
: city that the police under the direction
| OF the local fuel administration TO-DAY
searched the bins of 40 summer resi-
dents Permission was first secured
from the owners who had closed IN
their houses. Coal was found in only
+ III OF the houses, the largest amount In
any place being l3 tons The total
/ amount. by consent Of the owners. will
be distributed
The city was down TO 1lo tons Of BIZ
luminous coal today and a much small
er amount of anthracite Mayor Bur
dlck was without coal and was put on
the waiting list for quarter of a ton.
Both bay and harbor are frozen over.
making the prospects for getting more
fuel dubious. This is the fifth consecu-
tive week that ice conditions have made
it almost impossible for coal barges to
navigate the harbor.
Enlarge Hard Coal Output
Philadelphia. Feb. "A special COM
nlittee representing the anthracite in
dustry met here today and adopted a.
plan which is expected to enlarge ma
teriaily the output Of hard coal and
bring. about a better distribution during
the present year and especially next
winter The plan aims at complete CO.
operation Of All anthracite producers
working through a centralized organic
alton and acting in coordination with
the federal fuel administration and di-
rector general of railroads.
1t is said that several Houlton neo
pie have been hailed before United
States revenue inspectors, who have
been in session at the court house,
this week. for not paying revenue
taxes on tobacco. while others. so
rumor says. have been at one time
in the liquor business and have not
paid the revenue taxes. There were
three inspectors here but of course if
was not possible to find out direct from
Uncle Sans men just what was being
done and what fines had been inflicted
on Mr. So and So.--HouIton Pioneer.