Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-02-05
THE FUEL SITUATION
Get Busy to Keep Up the Supply for
This and Next Winter

The coal shortage throughout the
country is something unheard Of
This shortage is not so much among
the mills and factories of Wausau, as
it is in cities further south and east.
This shortage is mostly with the rail-
roads, and especially has the c., M. &
ST. Paul R'y, on the Wisconsin Val
ley division, been hard hit. So much
so that it has interfered with the
operating of its trains.
This trouble has been greatly aug
monted by the snow blockades, the
one last week Gaping the climax.
Much hard work was necessary to
move trains north from New Lisbon,
in operating snow plows to clear the
tracks of snow. The officials have,
during the past week, had to secure
coal from some of our large users to
keep trains moving.
In some of the cities north of Wau-
sau the supply of coal is almost ex-
hausted. At Tomahawk, one day, only
one ton and half remained on hand
Many of our large institutions have
a goodly supply on hand ana they
have generously given out to dealers
so they could supply homes in our
city.
With change of weather, a thaw,
and cessation of snow storms, the
coal situation will readily adjust it
self.
The fuel committee of the Marathon
County Council of Defense appointed
last August by the Marathon County
Council of Defense, comprised of E.
A. Dunn, F. d. Timlin and r. c..
Deutsch gave ample warning to our
city and its people, regarding the fuel
situation.
The committee said at that time:
Your committee on fuel supply for
the coming winter has gone into the
matter as thoroughly as Circumstance
es at this time permitted, and it is
very evident that there is going to
be a serious shortage of fuel, es-
pecially for home consumption in the
city, prior to April 1st, 1918"
Further: "YOur committee recon-
mends the purchase of 1000 to 5000
cords Of body wood, at least so per
cent of which should be shipped to
Wausau before December 1st, and the
balance held in reserve at the most
available points for distribution when
required. Your committee also sug-
gests that a competent man be en-
gagged to purchase dry wood as may
be available for immediate shipment
and make contracts for green wood,
which may be already cut, and also
that this man be given authority to
make contracts with responsible
parties who are prepared to begin
cutting at once.
1t is also recommended that the
city be urged to buy for Immediate
delivery, quantity of soft coal, at
least 25 per cent in excess of the
normal requirements at the pumping
station prior to April 1st, 1918, and
that there be purchased for immed-
late delivery 5000 tons of soft coal
to be piled up at points convenient
for distribution throughout the city.
We urge with particular emphasis,
the necessity of inducing all users
of fuel, either coal, wood or coke
to anticipate their requirements i'm
mediately and provide for their win
ter supply at the earliest possible
moment"
This warning was sent out last
August and great publicity given to
the report. WauSau is in much better
shape than most cities, owing to the
work of this committee, which stirred
up our large institutions to getting
in readiness for the coming shortage.
1T has come, just as the committee
predicted. While it's recommendations
were not fully carried out, still large
amounts of coal were ordered and all
possible large quantities of wood pur-
chased by the city and its people.
The same conditions will exist next
winter and it is up to our people to
get busy now on the wood situation.
The green wood now being cut is
being used to keep homes warm in
many cases. The utmost conservation
should be practiced less rooms
heated in our homes; churches should
unite; buildings kept at lower tenn
perature and everything possible done
to conserve fuel. No doubt coal can
be had, but orders should go in early.
We are far from getting through
with the conditions, which confront
us this winter. Wood and coal will
have to be furnished from some
source until June 1st.
The Pilot would advise the purchase
of wood land as near the city as
possible, and put up camps where
men can go and cut wood for this and
next winters supply.