South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-04

4
Closing of city schools has been
taken under serious consideration as
a means of relieving the coal short
age in South Bend, according to J..
+. Hardy. county fuel administrator.
II feel that it has become more nee
essary. and more advisable, now
than ever before" he declared Mon
day
But two cars Of coal arrived in
South Bend Monday morning. TO
meet the increased demand caused
by the sudden drop in temperature
during the night. After compare
tive warm temperature on saturday.
the mercury started its descent early
Sunday morning. reaching 10 above
at noon. and showing II above at
O'Clock Sunday night. Monday
morning the temperature was eight
below. at o'clock, but a strong
north wind intensified the cold con-
siderably.
The temperature at noon Monday. |
according 20 government records, was |
three degrees below zero.
Not Well Situated
south Bend Is not well situated
in regard 10 the coal supply" de
cIared Mr. Hardy The coal fields
ere in the extreme southern portion
Of the state. and we are almost at
the north state line The connect
ing link between us is very weak If
we had q line OF communication
with the coal fields like the New
York Central main line. there would
not be half the trouble"
Coal at Danville, III. is 10 be ship
ped 20 South Bend by way Of the
Big Four railroad. said Mr.. Hardy.
This line has not carried coal here
tofore. but the present need has
caused a change in previous prac-
tees. Ten cars are supposed to be
ON their way 10 South Bend at the
present time.
state Administrator WOollen has
already placed orders with mine OD-
orators for $500 cars OF coal" de
clared Mr. Hardy. who returned
Sunday from a visit 90 the state ad-
ministratOr's Office. The mines can
fiji this oder at the rate OF about
600 cars per week. so YOU see that
not be taken care OF for some time.
Leaves for Coal Fields.
II. G.. Staley. Mr. Hardy's assist
ant. left Monday morning for the
coaIsfelds He VIII look over The sit
nation there. and endeavor 10 speed
shipments OF fuel 10 st. Joseph
county.
other cities in St Joseph county
are as badly situated as in south
Bend. according 20 Mr. Hardy. Osce-
ola. New Carlisle and various OF the
smaller centers are getting very in
sufficient shipment. he says. When
asked whether the more rural towns
would not be able 90 use wood for
fuel better than South Bend. Mr.
Hardy declared that IL was a very
difficult proposition.
People OF today are poorly quail
fed 20 shift for themselves" de-
clared the fuel administrator. "Our
present modes OF living have made
81 pretty easy FOR us. and the result.
In this case. il therefore pretty hard
on us The average man doesn {
know how To go ont and fell "a tree.
even n ne had the tools and equip
ment with which 10 do il. Besides
many OF the farmers in ST. Joseph
county have no wood ON their farms.
except fence posts. on other farms.
where there Is little timber. the
man who lives there Is a renter. and
IS not allowed 10 cut trees
No Enthusiasm for Wood
II have been trying for so days 20
get some enthusiasm worked up
which will get some wood brought
into the city. The park board has
offered a number o. trees. not far
from the edge OF town. which can
be had for the cutting. but so far
no action mas been taken i'm this
matter.
s.Of course. one can hardly blame
person for not wanting 90 get ont
IN snow two feet deep 20 cut a few
srees. hut the situation Is desperate.
and that viii probably have 20 be
dCne"
Regarding the coal stored in the
homes Of people not in South Bend
az present Mr.. Hardy declared that
the amount OF fuel which could be
obtained from this source would be
entirely inadequate 20 help matters
materially Besides" ne added
that coal would have 10 be sold for
a pretty high price. Most of it was
purchased before the government
set the price. and the cost of get
ting u out Of the cellars and stor-