Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1918-01-14
CITY Row FEELS
COIL SHORTAGE
Priority Order Bcnefiting
New England Delays Will
mington Shipments
INVESTIGATING
SHORT WEIGHTS

None TOO good at any time this win
ter, the coal situation in Wilmington
IS reported by the dealers to be ex-
tremely serious. due, they say. 10 the
non-shlpment OF cars carrying coal to
this point. Why these shipments have
stopped or why the consignmonts have
not been delivered. could not be learned
this morning, but the dealers and the
fuel administration were making fran
tic efforts to induce the railroads TO To-
cate the coal and have It hurried 10
Wilmington.
Many dealers this morning reported
that they were out Of coal OF every
size. Others said they had a very little
bit Of certain sizes, but that this would
not last long Nearly all the dealers re-
ported that they had coal on the way.
but II has been lost somewhere between
here and the point OF shipment and
when Il will arrive Is a matter OF con-
lecture. 70 Is this coal the railroads
are being urged TO find and hurry
through. To add to the seriousness Of
the situation, q priority order Is in ef-
feet on the railroad 70 allow 500 cars
a day for New England. Wilmington Is
feeling the effects Of this order.
Curtailment OF coal to the less essen
tial industries in eastern cities as a
means 81 relieving the fuel famine will
begin this week on the authority Of
the Federal fuel administ ator, but
Charles II. Ten Weeges. state fuel ad-
ministrator for Delaware, stated today
that no orders have been issued In
Delaware relative 90 ourtailing the non
essential industries What are the
non-essential or less essential indus
tries, is q question dimcult to solve,
especially in this city, where practical
ly all industries are engaged in war
work.
II the situation should become so
bad that the consumers cannot get
hard coal then they will have % re-
sort 20 the use Of soft coal IN their
homes To supply private houses with
this grade Of coal and 10 order 10 pre-
vent absolute suffering on the part
Of the public. the food admins
trstion has the authority to take from
any industry any amount Of soft coal
they may have on hand and will take
u, 10 give Il 20 the individual con-
sumner II the emergency arises. This
would merely he n makeshift until an
other supply Of hard coal was received,
but IL could be done by tho fuel ad-
ministration II the occasion arises
where 70 is necessary TO prevent suffer
ing
Dealers are hoping that before the
day is over the railroads will have
found 70 possible 20. deliver 10 tho city
the cars Of coal that arc known TO be
on their way here. II all shipments
hould fail today the situation in VII
mingion tomorrow is going 10 be pre-
carious.
The Wilmington Fuel Administrative
COMMITTEES will meet with The retail
dealers tomorrow e. consider th" situ
alton so far as IL affects This city.
Thomas w. Wilson. vice-president anc
general nanaeer Of the Wilmington and
Philadelphia Traction Company, accom-
panied by Clarence c killen, secretary
Of the Chamber Of Commerce, will 20
10 WASHINGTON tomorrow for q confer
ence with the Federal Fuel Admlnistra-
ton. The traction company IS endeavor-
ing % secure a better grade or coal
than 70 has been receiving, also bet
Ter supply, Tor BY tnis means u rs hopec
to avoid some OF the difficulties the CON-
pany has been encountering recently.
Inspector OF WEIGHTS and Measures
W. F. Sillitoe and Clerk Of the Market
VAUGHAN are almost through their in
vestlga'ion Of allesed short-weight Goa
sales. Il was reported today that Mr.
sllitoc was pIaunins TO have warrants
issued FOR those dealers who have been
caught selling smaller quantities 81 Goa
than they are charging for. II was said
that few Of the dealers arc selling 20oC
pounds 20 the ton.
Several days ago one dealer is allesec
70 have sent a resident on Twenty-ninth
street what was supposed 20 be a 1000
pound ton, but when weighed at the
curbstone by Inspector Sillitoe it was
found 70 be $50 pounds short