The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-06-07
United States Fuel Administra
ton for Michigan
Dear Mr.. Editor:

Dear Mr.. Editor:
The week of June Sd to 9Th is to be
observed as early ordering week for the
purpose of entering statewide drive
on early ordering of coal.
While for several weeks an effort has
been made to urge early ordering, it is
advisable to have this special intensive
drive for which the bulk of the years
supply ordered well in advance, the dis
tributing agents of the Government will
be in position to adjtst the demands
by the different communities that Mich
igan may get her portion of available
supply.
Attention is particularly called to the
fact, however, that the entire coal out
put of the country cannot be delivered
within few months. and customers
must wait patiently for deliveries.
However, no matter what the condition
of the supply may be, orders which are
on the books of the dealers now will be
filled before orders which are entered
later in the year.
There are two powerful reasons for
early buying: One is selfish, the other
is patriotic. The public will not only
save money by buying early but will
guard themselves from a repetition of
the hardships of last winter.
The Fuel Administration is doing its
utmost to increase the production of
coat. The Director General of rail-
roads is working to increase the trans
portation facilities in the nation. Their
combined efforts, however. may be de-
feated by the recurrence of weather as
prevailed last winter. They will GER
tainly be defeated unless large major
ity of domestic consumers cooperate
with them by buying early.
There is something more important
than personal comfort involved in this
campaign for early buying. One hum
dred million people must be kept warm
next winter; hundreds of thousands of
factories upon which the United States
and the entire civilized world depend
for the successful prosecution of the
war against Prussian autocracy must
be supplied with coal. The industrial
activities of the nation has resulted in
production in excess of our transpor-
tation facilities. We are manufacture
ing more goods than the railroads can
carry.
There is only one way to meet the
situation. Less freight is moved dur
ing the summer months than any other
time. The coal must be moved in the
summer If you neglect to buy your
winter supply now, you will place an
unnecessary burden upon the railroads.
Hundreds of thousands of American
men are at the front in France; in
creasing numbers will be sent during
the summer. These men must be kept
in ammunition; they must be fed; they
must be clothed Coal must be provid
ed for the factories, for the locomotives,
for the ships, for the men at the front.
The consumer can help by buying his
coal now. Will he do it? He is asked
to place his order now that the dealer
may deliver his coal at the least possible
price and expense, that the dealer may
be able to deliver him coal direct from
car.
Coal cannot be stored at the mines.
1t can be stored IN the consumers bins.
Will they do their part?
Promptness in ordering and patience
in waiting deliveries are needed as a
basis for the cooperation of the whole
country with the Fuel Administration
in its efforts to do its share of the ma
tion's war work.
Your hearty cooperation in giving the
public any part or all of the above in
each of your several editions during the
week of Jund Sd to Sth1s requested.
w. X. PRUDDEN,
Federal Fuel Administrator.
Lansing, Mich.
June !, 1918.