The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-22
Topeka Will Be Dark Along
Kansas Avenue.
Discontinue Unnecessary .Elec-
trio Lighting, City Request.
SITUATION is SERIOUS HERE
Meeting To- Arrange Closing
Ordinance e. of C. Tonight.
Measure Will Be Passed Tues.
day, Mayor Declares.

All window display lights. advertis-
ing signs and other "non-essential
lights" in business and residence dis
tricts of the city will be discontinued
tonight as the first action in Topeka
to meet the coal crisis, according to a
resolution passed by the city commits
sion today.
The resolution, wherein it is de-
clared the comfort and health of the
community is threatened, and all To-
pekans are asked to join in the con-
servation efforts. follows:
whereas, the available supply of coal in
the City of Topeka is sufficient only for a
few days, normal use, and severe and con-
tinuous cold weather may be expected at
any time; and,
Whereas, it will be practically impossible
to secure an immediate supply of coal If the
production is resumed ut once; and,
Whereas, the comfort and health of the
and endangered by the present shortage In
the coal supply now therefore, be 1t
the city of Topeka:
That all persons. firms or corporations
are hereby requested to discontinue at once
the use of all electric current used for the
maintenance of electric signs window and
display lights.
Mayor Asks Cooperation.
Prior to adoption of the resolution,
the mayor, in an interview, expressed
operation and support of Topekans in
the present crisis.
"A neal crisis is at hand" Manor
Corwine stated. "It seems doubtful ff
the citizens of Topeka realize the ur-
gency of doing something radical and
as saying that l am asking all citizens
OF Topeka to assist us in every way to
conserve fuel and to get back of every
move taken. l want them to support
| the emergency heat and fuel ordinance
| that will be passed Tuesday morning
| by the commissioners. 1t is the only
way to avert disaster. Otherwise prac-
tically everything in the city viii be
able to operate only about a week
| longer"
| Tonight at the Chamber of Com
| merce a meeting will be held at s
| O'Clock to discuss the situation, talk
| over the tentative ordinance, and sug-
| gest provisions. .
Representatives from the city, To-
peka merchants and the Chamber of
Commerce will attend. No attempt
has been made to organize an actual
committee. but representative men
have been asked to assist in framing
the ordinance. which in general VIII
be as outlined in The State Journal
Friday, IL was declared by city Off
| cials today.
D. H. Branaman, city attorney, said
| that on account of the variety of fea-
J
| time to work out the details. The or
dinance will be ready for presentation
to the commissioners Tuesday morn
ing, 1t was said.
Merchants in Discussion.
1t was foreseen today that the mat
ter of arranging closing hours for the
| stores may precipitate an earnest- dis
cussion at the meeting tonight While
expressing a Willingness to co-operate
| in saving fuel, many merchants today
/ suggested turning the heat off at )
O'Clock, or some other hour TO be d
cided upon, and leaving their stores
open until o'clock as usual.
At least during warm weather if
the heat has been on during the day.
the store would remain warm unit,
the closing hour if the heat we'c
turQed off early. they argue. The
holiday rush is approaching, it waS
pointed out.
Il am certain said A. p. Mckown,
, president of the Merchants associa
ton, that every business man Will
gladly cooperate with the city in this
crisis, but they will also expect the
city to cooperate with them in ar