Republican farmer., 1918-02-01

Warm weather only VIII prevent wide
spread suffering in its cities, and even
under the best shipping conditions its
Industries will be forced to close for
at least two of thes coming eight
weeks. The financial losses will run
into the millions, and all production
of war munitions will be set back from
two weeks to a month.
These astounding facts were pre-
scented to government officials today
by James Storrow, the New England
Fuel Administrator. The Fuel Ad-
naInistration and Director General
McAdoo, however, could give no as
surances of any relief for the famine
stricken industrial centres.
During the day. Mr.. Storrow re-
ceived kilograms which showed clear
ly that by the end of this week the
greater part of the New England
States will be in the throes of a fuel
famine. Railroads, trolley lines, pub
lie utilities, schools, office buildings
and stores will shut down, and thou
sands of working men and women
will be thrown out of work for indie
finite periods. Doubt is expressed by
Mr.. Storrow as to whether even the
needs of all hospitals and charitable
| institutions can be met.
| From the statements of the New
England Fuel Administrator, it is
again made clear that the shortsight-
ed action of the War and Navy De-
partments in taking all seagoing tugs
and vessels from the New England
coal trade last summer has been the
most costly and gigantic blunder of
the war administration.
Some of the kilograms received by
Mr.. Storrow today show that:
In the last two weeks only 20 per
cent, of the normal amount of fuel
consumed in New England has been
shipped in. either by rail or water.
Seventy Boston schools are closed
and 200 more will be forced TO close
within week. All schools in Wor-
cester. Mass, have been closed since
Christmas.
More than 100000 tons of coal is
needed to bring the New England
States supply to normal.
The Edison Electric Light Company
of Boston, which supplies light to
Boston and AZ cities and towns, Will
be forced to close at the end of this
week unless the steamer Noyes at
HAMPTON Roads is loaded immed1-
ately.
The Mead Morris Manufacturing
Company of East Boston, employing
II, 900 men on gun mounts, has been
closed since Wednesday.
The Chapman Valve Company OF
Boston is closed.
Eighteen factories in Holyoke,
Mass, must close at the end of the
week.
The Boston and Worcester trolley
lines, having 81 niles of double track
system, have almost cut service in hall
and face closing down.
The Maine Central Railroad has
coal only to run until Friday and
must close unless Deputy Director
of Railroads Smith of New York can
get it coal.
The Industrial Alcohol Company of
East Cambridge, working 100 per cent.
on Allies orders, closed today.
The L. S. Starrett Company OF
Athol, Mass, working 100 per cent
on Government and naval supplies,
closed today.
The Burgess Airplane Company OF
Marblehead, Mass, closed today.
The R. S. Long Company of South
Framington, Mass, engaged 100 per
cent.on haversacks and cartridge belts,
closed down indefinitely.
The Aberthawl Construction CO. og
Cambridge, working 100 per cent. on
Government contracts, closed last
night
The Metz Company of Walthan1,
I Mass, doing 100 per cent. Govern
} ment work, is burning wood and must
close this week.
, Ten thousand workmen were
n thrown out of work today when the
:, American Wooden Company's mills at
e Lawrence Lowell and Maynard,
i Mass, closed. These mills have con-
tracts for $500, 900 yards of blankets,
100000 yards of overcoatiRgs, 4,000,-
600 yards of khaki and 800, 900 yards
S of suitings, all for the Government.
!, The Osgood Bradley Company of
g Worcester, working 100 per cent. on
gun mounts, has been closed.
= The Arlington Mills at Fall River
closed and 1900 persons were
thrown out of work.
The Bridgeport munition plants are
in a desperate plight, with no relief in
sight.
2 have only a few days supply of fuel.
Mr.. Storrow stated last night that
there is no hope of preventing many
l | shut downs in New England. He
: said:
''In circulars which I sent out last
, June and July, I predicted this condi-
ton. It was as plain as that and
:, make 4. I told every manufacturer tc
prepare for it. I would not change the
wording of those circulars today in de-
scribing conditions in New England.
Last summer when the Govern
ment took over the tugs and coal yes
sells which were taking New Englandss
winter supplies to our factories, I
came to Washington and laid the facts
before the President, the War Depart
ment and the Navy Department. But
e the ships were taken away from us.
e 1--WE have protested time and time
e again and tried in vain to picture the
o dire necessities of the greatest pro.
ducing center of the country but oul
efforts have been fruitless. Never
has New England been able to shiI
in more than 81 to SO per cent .ot
n her coal supply by rail. More thar
If half of it has had to come by water
IS So when storms tie up the railroads
d we have to close up shop.
= "At the beginning of last week il
e looked as if we were going to ge
g some bituminous coal. Remember
n New England annually consumes
F. 80 100000 tons of bituminous an6
y Ii, 1000, 900 tons of anthracite coal. Fol
re the most part this is brought in dur
t. ing the summer This wear we verf