The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-21

peka has, due to the coal strike, been re
duced to point which is critical and that
the situation demands immediate action for
the conservation OF the available supply on
hand that a calamity may be aYerted or
at least for a time postponed.
The Topeka Edison company during the
past summer made extraordinary prepara-
ton in the way of accommodating surplus
supply of coal for the winters use in an
ticipation of the possible winter shortage.
1t has three coal supply yards in the city
of Topeka, in which 1t had accumulated hp-
proximately thirty three hundred tons of
surplus coal for the winter use. The coal
in two of these yards has already been
consumed and there remains only suf-
ficient supply to continue full operation of
the company's plant approximately ten or
twelve days, assuming that the weather
will continue normal.
The Topeka Edison company supplies all
of the heat for the business buildings on
the east side of Kansas avenue from Sixth
to Ninth street, and all Of the business
on the west side of Kansas avenue from
Fifth to Ninth and in addition furnishes
heat for the Santa Fe office buildings, the
Pelletier stores. high school, manual train
ing, and public library, and in addition
thereto, a considerable amount of heat on
Jackson street between Sixth and Ninth
streets, and also on West Eighth street.
1t also furnishes electricity for the opera
ton of the entire Western Union system
from Topeka to La Junta. Colo. and this
service includes the operation of the Santa
Fe telegraph and train dispatching lines.
Every known effort has been exerted to
secure an additional supply of coal with
out results and there is no longer auy coal
coming into the yards of the Edison plant.
1t simply cannot be obtained.
In addition to the service above mention
ed, the commission is advised that The To-
lighting and other household service for the
inhabitants of the city of Topeka. The
managers of the company have hoped from
day to day that an adjustment of the strike
would be effected, which would relieve the
necessity of curtailing service. The situa-
tion has already become SO critical that
pany deem il their duty to advise the city
commission and thru it, the public, Of the
critical situation confronting this com
munity. The question is fairly presented,
whether the company shall continue to op
crate its plant to fun capacity until the
total supply of coal is exhausted, result
effort to conserve the present supply by
curtailing the service. in the hope that
carried forward ou n limited supply, under
proper city regulations. until the present
strike difficulties are adjusted. The. situa
uon is such as to imperil the public health
and even the lives of the citizens Of TIL.
city Of Topeka, as the officers of the Edi-
son company are advised that other large
the operation Of their plants on Il SUPPLY
of coal that can at best last but a few days.
Peka are practically without fuel.
The shutting down of the Eedison plant
would mean the closing of all of the bust
ness houses Cnd office buildings i'll the
territory above described. including the
Santa Fe offices. schools and library.in case
Of severe weather and would throw thou
sands OF people out of employment result
ing in general disaster
The Topeka Edison company. therefore,
recommends that the city commission take
immediate and appropriate action for the
conservation of the present supply of coal,
by curtailing its use not only for the To-
peka Edison company but for the entire
city Of Topeka. as may be necessary under
the commissions unGOubted authority to
make such regulations as shall be neCes-
sary for the preservation of the public
health and to avert disaster and calamity
and the Topeka Edison company. waving
its own financial interests recommends
that the commission pass such an ordinance
limiting the hours of service and use of
electric current, and steam heating as NAV
be appropriate and necessary to permit the
sary enterprises and uses. and that
proper schedule and a proper priority list
of users be embodied in said ordinance
with strict regulations and proper penal
ties for the violation of the provisions of
the ordinance.
THE TOPEKA EDISON COMPANY.
BY A. H. Purdy,
General superintendent
The Forbes Milling company in
North Topeka received a small supply
of coal and had resumed operations
today. The supply now on hand at
the mill. it was said. is sufficient to
run about a week. If Kansas mines
are opened Saturday night ty the state
it is believed fuel may be obtained to
avert a serious Industrial suspension
There is very little coal in town for
private consumers altho some hard
coal is still available. The crying neeI
at present is for steam coal and this
seems to be practically unobtainable