The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-12-03
FUEL SITUATION
GROWS WORSE
Conditions in Denison Acute and Every
Indication Points to the COndi-
tons Growing Worse
COLD WEATHER MAKES INROADs
Methodist and Presbyterian Churches
Decide to Close and Turned Over
Coal to Administrator

The fuel situation in Denison is now
acute and every indication points to
conditions growing worse from day to
day. The cold wave which struck us
last Wednesday with the mercury how.
ering below the zero mark, is fast max
ing inroadS on the already meager sup
ply of fuel in the homes. A careful sur.
vey of conditions by the Review shows
that hundreds Of homes in the city will
need fuel before the first of the year.
The electric light plant is running from
hand to mouth, depending entirely on
the fuel administrator for coal with
which to keep supply Of water in the
standpipe. Several of the business in.
stitutions are now without coal and are
depending on meager supply of wood
to keep the business in operation.
On Monday of This week the Metho.
dist and Presbyterian church decided to
close their churches and have turned
over their supply of fuel to Fuel Admin
istratOr Patterson for distribution. This
is indeed commendable.
Local dealers of coal can not supply
people with coal as what little fuel is
on hand is in charge of Mr.. Patterson.
who is distributing it in 500 pound lots
to people who are entirely out OF fuel.
AS we go to press at o'clock this
afternoon Fuel Administrator j. H. Pat
terson has his drays up at the United
States post office and against the pro-
tests of Postmaster j. r. Carey is re-
moving coal from the bins. Mr.. Patter-
son. in an interview with the writer,
states that the government directs him
to distribute coal equitably to all peo-
pie and contiscate coal from hoarders.
He takes the position that the govern
ment is boarding coal and in this case
is giving them q dose of their own
medicine.
Prospects for relief from present COLI
ditions in the immediate future are any
thing but bright. 1t was hoped through
out the country that miners would re-
turn to work last Monday when oper-
ators put in force the new scale of a IA
per cent increase in wages. This, how
ever, failed to bring result sand all the
mines in the central west are still
closed. The direct result of the fam
inc in fuel to date is that industries
are closing down, thousands Of laborers
are without employment and a general
curtailment all along the line.
Denison can hope to weather through
this crisis only by the cooperation of
every individual. This means that ev-
cry pound of coal possible must be con-
served. 1t is essential that the munich
pal plant be kept in operation for the
pumping OF water for fire protection and
for sanitary reasons. Coal must be sup
piled to the homes so there will be no
suffering and business must be kept
as nearly normal as possible so the
heads of families will be able to provide
food and clothing.
People generally are of the opinion
that the schools of Denison should be
closed. The independent district has
some $50 tons or 800 tons of fuel on
hand and this coal may be just the coal
that will keep the pumps in operation
or keep the homes warm. 1t is sug-
gested that inasnuch as the coal was
purchased with the taxpayers money
the coal should be held in reserve for fu-
ture needs of the taxpayers. Up until
this time the school board has taken no
action and each day the amount on hand
becomes smaller.
1t is suggested that the schools close
until after the holidays and if by that