Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-01-16
'GAS PRESSURE IS
 STRONG-PRfVFNIS
 CLOSE OF STORES
Increase in Gas Supply Causes no Necessity for
 Closing of Stores.

Pine Bluffs theatres and business houses were not forced to close their
 doors yesterday, in accordance with the proclamation issued Monday af ternoon by Mayor Simon Bloom, due to the fact that gas pressure in this city yesterday was stronger than it has been for the past eight weeks, and it was stated by authorities that the closing of the business houses would not relieve situation in other cities.
 Mayor Simon Bloom conferred with Manager M. D. Randolph, of the local branch of the Arkansas Natural Gas company, yesterday morning and again yesterday afternoon and Mr. Randolph stated that the gas pressure at that time was stronger than it has been for some time and that instead of decreasing, as is generally the case in the early afternoon, the pressura in- creased to such extent that there was an ample supply for the heating of all the business houses and theatres, as well as the private homes. Mr. Randolph stated that although the situation in other cities is very bad, still the closing of the business houses and theatres would not help conditions to any material exte..t, and on his recommendation the theatres and pool halls were allowed to continue to operate during the day. The gas pressure was strong thluout the day, and it is thought there will be plenty of gas today also.
 Coal Supply Limited.
 Manager Minor 0. Woodward. of the Pine Bluff Company, stated last nl"ht although his concern has enough coal on hand at the present time to last until Saturday morning, there is no more in sight and if supply of fuel is not received by that time the mower plant will be forced to close down. The coal now being used is of an inferior grade and due to this fact and the fact that it is water-soaked and frozen 1t is very hard matter to keep up steam at the plant On this account street car service was dis continued for about 30 minutes last night. It is not thought, however, i that there will be any further inter- ruptions of service. "The whole mat ter hinges on what we hear tomor- row., said MT Woodward, "and I hope we will get some favorable news then, l have just been talking to the state fuel administrators office and it was stated that very few of the mines were working today. It is hoped that a train load of coal can leave the Dem ing fields tomorrow and if this is the 1 case it is probable that we will re- ceive fuel enough to prevent the clos ing down of the plant Saturday. How ever, if we do not receive some fuel between now and Saturday morning we will be forced to close down the power plant"
 Officials at Work.
 City officials are making every ef- fort to secure as much fuel as possible and are in hopes that the present gas pressure will l~be maintained during the cold weather so that none of the | local business houses will be forced l to make any sacrifice for the comfort Of private consumers.
 Program of Pine Bluff Company.
 Manager Woodward of the Pine 1 Bluff company stated late last night that unless supply of coal was in sight Friday and unless information | had been received that fuel was being 9AlpPeu lo tulS clty, the street car service and electric power would be discontinued at intervals during the day. Electric lighting service will be rendered from 4 o'clock in the after noon until about 10 o'clock at night I If supply of coal has not been re. ceived by Saturday morning the elec- tricity plant will be entirely closed l down and the reserve supply used for the operation of the water plant, in | order that the city may not be with out water for both domestic and fire purposes. 0TIr HR