The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1918-06-06
FACING GREATEST
FUEL CRISIS
DRIVE ON TO ENCOURAGE CON-
SUMERs TO BUY COAL NOW.
IOWA MUST AWAKE TO DUTY
100000 Tons Increase over Output
In 1917-Iowa Cannot Produce
Her Share-Miners Willing But
Not Given An Opportunity.

Abba, Iowa, June 3.-This drive is
for the purpose Of awakening the
American people to the necessity of
ordering their winter supply of coal
Immediately. Few there are indeed
who realize the seriousness of the sit
uation that is confronting them. We
are advised by those who are in po-
sitiOn to know that we are going to
face the most serious coal famine in
the history of our country.
Must Increase Tonnage.
j. ID. A. Morrow, General Director
of tho Distribution of the United
States Fuel Administration, is author
| ity for the statement that S5,000,000
more tons of coal must be mined in
the year 1918 than was mined in 1917,
and the bituminous miners are ex-
peCted to furnish this added tonnage
as it is claimed that the production
of anthracite coal cannot be increas-
ed over that of 1917
Unless the mines of this country
are kept in operation during the
summer months it will be impossible
| to supply the additional amount of
| coal next winter as result of made
quate railroad facilities; therefore, in
order to eliminate unnecessary long
| and cross haulage the Federal Gov
eminent initiated the zone system, al
| lotting certain territory to Illinois,
Iowa, and other states with the hope
that they would be able to meet the
Governments demand.
Iowa's Share.
In the zone arrangement Iowa was
given a certain territory and in order
! to meet the demands of the coal con-
sumed in said territory it would be
necessary for the Iowa miners to pro-
duce 100000 tons of coal more in
| 1918 than they did in 1917. 9,049 sos
tons were produced in 1917, and T.
| 217,979 tons were produced in 1916.
Now the cold stern facts are that
the mines of Iowa have not worked
half time during the months of
March, April, and May, with the re-
suit that it is going to be a physical
! impOsSibility for Iowa to exceed it's
production of 1917; therefore the O.
! 100000 tons over and above the 1917
| tonnage allotted to Iowa will not be
| produced as the miners who are
! ready and willing to do their bit"
have not been given the opportunity.
! What is true of Iowa is true of other
sections of the country, therefore it
| is my opinion that this country is
facing the greatest crisis in history
with reference to the fuel problem.
Will Affect Yankees.
Just imagine the effect it will have
on the American soldiers in France
when the inevitable happens and they
hear that the industries of this coun-
try are tied up for the want of coal
as they were during the period of
January 10 to 20 of last year, when
it became necessary to suspend oper-
alton of industries, in order to get
coal to take ships out of our harbors.
AS result of DR.. Garfields orders, not.
withstanding he is criticised from
one end of this country to the other,
4S0 ships carrying over 100000 tons
of food, fuel, ammunition, and other
war supplies were sent from our
ports between January 10 and 20 af-
ter being tied up for some time as
result of not being able to get coal,
yet, with these conditions staring us
in the face we are Indifferent.
Can it be said that our attitude
with reference to this matter is fair
to those brave Americans on the bat
tie front who are risking their lives
for their country to have their coun-
try fail them in so critical time
through carelessness and indiffer-
ence?
Railroads Not Doing Bit.
The railroads are not stocking Iowa
coal as they should be; however, it
is my opinion that the reason lies in
the fact that they will when the criti-
cal time comes, do as they have in
want whether the common people
! freeze or not Again does 1t seem
fair that the railroads should bubble
over the price to be paid for coal
while brave American mothers are
sacrificing their sons on the battle
| fields of Europe? Since when are
the railroads entitled to coal cheaper
than the widow whose son is fighting
| for his country? Americans should
wake up to their duty before it is
too late.
Must Stand by Boys.
When the time comes and our
ships are tied up in our harbors for
want of coal through carelessness,
can we say with clear conscience
that we have done our duty? Going
to the station and shouting good
byes" and giving three cheers" is
not very patriotic unless we provide
for them while they are "over there"
! say that every patriotic American
ahould get behind this coal drive so
that when winter comes we will be
in a position 70 let coal go TO our al