The Raymer enterprise., 1918-02-28
The Victor American Fuel Co.
Denver. Colorado

The war has brought many chang
es in business, as well as in person
al habits. What further changes
may be necessary before we win the
war no one can predict. We all
know. however, that this winter has
resulted in suffering in many por-
tions OF the country due to insufflci-
ent supply OF fuel Last summer
nearly every coal dealer stocked
heavily.
In the past the retailer and produc-
er have been content with the be
lief that filling the coal dealers bins
eliminated all chance OF shortage
The past season has clearly proven
that still further preparation must
be made and the consumer is the
key TO the situation. for every ton
that Is put away by him in his own
bin. cellar or shed. enables the re
taller to refill his bins. thereby in
creasing the stock of coal In hiscom-
nunity; affording further protection
when shipments are stopped by car
shortage and other transportation
difficulties
This year il should be made per.
fectly plain to every householder
that coal in the mine viii not keep
the house warm and railroads will
not be better able 10 handle traffic
his year than in the past season.
There is a limit to the amount a
dealers bins will hold but there is
no limit to the good he can do in
the community by impressing upon
every consumer the absolute necess-
ity of stocking up with coal at home
as fast and as early as he can get 1t.
This does not mean in June, July or
August, just because that has been
his habit or preference; 1t means
that every consumer should eagerly
grab his next winters supply from
the first coal shipped after the cur
sat demand is satisfied, whether II
lie February. March. April or later.
II is up to the dealer to advise the
towns people and farmers.
Can one imagine the necessity OF
| URGING anyone in Eastern States
to purchase next winters supply at
the first opportunity? Can one say
conditions in the West may not be
as bad or worse next winter unless
everyone does his bit? There is
no doubt in any producers mind
that the demand for storage coal
can be greater than the mines will
produce, To increase the amount
Of coal in each community, however
the consumer must be made to see
the necessity OF getting his supply
early, and failure to realize this i'm
portant feature will rest entirely
with the retailer
Don't forget that the government
wants as much coal sent eastward
as possible Don'twait. houing to
get plenty of eastern coal.
Some retailers whom have recent
| ~ ineryewed on early stocking by
the consumer, realizing the consum-
may say "lt is to early. have vol
unteered to make a list showing
each customer and date coal Is of
tered him, teh idea being to be ready
TO show the state and local Fuel Ad-
ministrators the efforts made to pro-
teet their community when later ap-
ueals are made for relief II seems
to me this a splendid suggestion
and doubtless many retailers will
follow up this idea. The adoption
OF this plan should become general.
Sell coal all Spring and Summer.
Advertise IT, Write letters and post
cards, and letters to your townsmen
and farmers asking. How do you
expect to have coal next winter it
You don't buy now? In other
words, don't let them forget that
coal was scarce and will be searcer
The war is not over.