New-York tribune., 1918-01-01
Coal Shortage
Threatens to Shut .
Munitions Plants
Big Bridgeport Works Are
Forced to Curtaii
Manufacture
Appeal to Government
Managers Declare 75,OOO.'
Will Be Out of Work
Next Week
Appeal to Government
lSpeclnl CorrespondenceI


BRIDGEPORT, Conn, Dec. al
Eight thousand emp Dyes have already
been thrown out Of work in this CITY
by the shortage OF coal. Owners OF
manufacturing plants engaged in mu-
milton work for the government today
sent kilograms to Secretary Baker. Sec
retary Daniels, Director OF Railroads
.lcAdoo and Federal Fuel Adrn;uistra-
tor Garfield stating that unless jmrne-
date shipments of coal were received
in Bridgeport $4,000 more employees
would be thrown out Of work within
the next week and millions Of dollars
worth Of munitions be entirely held up.
While the branch o: the Remington
Arms Company on American nunition
work was in operation to-day. the Rus
AN department is closed TO allow
stock taking inventory. officials ss,6
tonight that this department would
open Wednesday morning.
J. A. Kingman. general manager Of
'he Locomobiie Company Of America
admitted that their plant vas closed
VehporarllT on account Of the shor+
age OF coal, but says that he e.nacts
20 nave the plant running aga5n bv
Wednesday. Five thousands hands hava
neen tnrown out of work at this rlar4
At this .ime officials admit that +,a,,
have hardly enough coal ., hand i"o fo
al!ow them to continue work for one
week on their government contracts
Nunition Plant Shuts
The American and British Muni.ion
company Of this city was also closed
To-Day throwing over 1000 employees
out OF work. John c. Stanley. head oe
ne company, stated this evening thae
the company had barely enough coal
on hand to start their boilers and NOT
more than few days supply at the
very most.
Owners of other plants engaged on
government work could not state lust
now long they could run on the present
supply of coal, but they all were in
accord that they must receive large
shipments at once or close down
Simon Lake. Of the Lake Torpedo
Boat Company, said that his company
nad quantity OF coal on hand. hut
cculd not run for any length OF time
unless large shipments We're received
at once. Inc officials o. the Remington
Arms Company stated that they had
signed the telegram to the Cabinet off
Gals asking for coal at once This
company has about enough coal On
hand to run for a week o.. ten davs
NOR
The Union Metallic Cartridge plan.
IN this city was shut down TO-DAY. 10
allow taking OF stock in connection
with the new excess income tax laws.
General Manager Z. II. Alien said it
would open again Wednes dav. but ne
also admitted that uress coa was
forthcoming Al once the piant would
have to suspend manufacturing within
week or ten days.
Promised Shipments
Owners of mun;tion plants stated
that over two weeks ago they had been
promised shipments of 1900 tons A
day from the Federal government. in
order that they might carry on their
contracts, but up to this time not a
pound of coal had arrived in Bridge
port.
Up to late hour this evening the
owners of the plants tha. had appealed
to the Federal authorities for helm had
received no reply.
Owing to the government COM
Wandering all oil for the Use in war
ships the Spring Perch Company, manlst
featuring springs for use in govern :
ment army trucks. was obliged to shut
down this noon for an indefinite period
his company must be supplied with
1000 gallons Of oil today before it
viii be able TO continue work The
Siemon Hard Rubber Company is also
closed on account OF lack OF coal.
Carl +. Siemon. chairman OF t7e
Bridgeport Fuel Committee. issued j
statement today in which he advised
the closing of saloons, public buildings.
shorter hours in all Offices and the
using of the minimum amount of coal
in schools in order that Bridgeport may
cope with the present situation.