The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-01-22
COAL SITUATION
AGAIN ACUTE AS
SNOW COVERSD.C.:

With the city in the grip OF the
most severe snGwstorm OF years. coal
shortage in Washington, so far as
hundreds of householders are con-
cerned, is more acute today than it
has ever been.
A majority OF the dealers have
either an exceedingly short supply or
none at all. Some of the larger deal
ers are more fortunate. but they are
having trouble handling the supply
on hand.
The Emergency Distribution Blu
reau, at Thirteenth and F streets, re-
opened again this morning with
limited supply en- hand. Officials are
hopeful that this supply will be in
creased before the day is out. but
they are apparently not certain.
There was a long line OF applicants
this morning receiving orders for coal
in ton and half-ton lots.
No general Improvement can be for
seen until the dealers get coal in suf-
ficient quantity to meet approximate
ly the demands being made upon
them.
No Help by HeatIess Days.
'Heatless" days in Washington. and
the Fuel Administration shutdown
order brought no increase in coal
stocks in Washington. Instead they
reached a low ebb.
The situation today. with the city
in the grip OF the worst snow storm
of the winter, is no better than II
was when agitation brought a new
promise OF an average OF 2,4OO tons
OF coal a day from the United States
Fuel Administration, and a new or
ganization, under which the coal
dealers formed a central bureau to
handle coal as fast as it came into
Washington.
W. W. Griffith, one Of the largest
dealers in Washington. said today
that he had enough coal. both an
thracite and bituminous, t. keep 200
men with teams busy hauling coal to
fill the 700 orders on his BE- oks. He
said that weather conditions had
slowed up movement OF coal on the
railroads and in household deliveries.
Dealers COrrobOrate.
A score or more or otter dealers
declared that the situation was no
better than it has been. and that
they cannot possibly supply the de-
mand being made upon item.
One dealer took a representative
Of The Times in his automobile to a
wharf opposite the arsenal grounds
10 show him q barge which he said
was loaded with from 800 to 500
tons of coal, lying untouched. Two
other such barges had bSan unload
ed, but no effort was made by the
arsenal folks to unload this one as
the coal was apparently not needed
II the Washington dealers could get
that coal, he said, they would move
it away in half a day.
Work For 200 Men.
Under pooling agreements made in
the organization OF the central bu-
reau Of the coal dealers teams and
equipment OF firms with no coal were
TO be used in aiding those with coal
in getting II moved. M. Griffith
said that he had enough coal to
keep 200 men with team, busy. A
score OF other dealers hid nothing
to move.
Coal receipts in Washington today
could not be learned ur to a late
hour.
II was stated today, however, that
approximately $500 tons OF bitumin-
ouE coal come into Washington for
a m. yesterday. Shipments of an |
thracite received for the same period |
totaled from 1900 to 3.4O0 tons.
Two Cars For Bureau.
The emergency bureau had two |
cars OF coal on hand this morning |
for distribution. At the rate orders
were being issued. the supply appar-
emily could not last very long. An |
additional supply during the day is
hoped for.
In the last ten days. since the issue |
OF DR.. Garfield's order for the ship |
ment to Washington Of 200 tons of |
coal a day, shipments have |
been above this figure. but three days, |
n hen they averaged around $500 tons. !
and the average Is short Of the $500 |
mark
Railroad conditions have made the'l
Of coal difficult, and coal !
frozen in the cars and covered with |
snow IL exceedingly hard to handle |
on the dumps here.
HousehOlders without q supply are |
still hard put to it to get coal.