The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-08
BUY COAL!
TOpekans Must Lay In Winter
Supply Now.
Only Method To Avoid Acute
Winter Shortage.
MINERS ARE LEAVING WORK
Discouraged Because of Lack
of Demand Now.
Crop Shipments VIII Tie Up
All Transportation.
MINERS ARE LEAVING WORI

Topekans will face an acute fuel
famine this winter unless they lay in
their winter supply of coal at once.
local coal dealers declare. The per-
sistent advertising OF the fuel men and
the constant warning sounded by them
to lay in coal during the summer
months is not a joke nor a money
making scheme. but a warning that
will save those who heed 1t from ac-
tual suffering. it is asserted.
Thousands of coal miners of foreign
birth are quitting their jobs and re-
turning to their native lands, now that
the war Is over. This general exodus
will increase proportionately with the
reorganization of the steamship lines.
Turnout the country there is a general
scarcity of labor and the coal men
point out that 1t will be impossible to
draw men from other branches of
labor into the coal mining business
when the present force of miners is
exhausted.
Lack of Demand.
One of the factors that is driving
the miners from their occupation is
the lack of work. The miner depends
on the retailer for his existence and
the retailer depends on the consumer.
The retailer cannot crowd his yards
with coal during the summer months
tying up a huge amount of capital
tendant upon unloading and reload
ing. If the consumer does not order.
the retailer cannot. and consequently
the lack of demand results in the
shutting down of the mines. When
the miners return day after day to
find the NO Work" sign on the slate.
they become discouraged with their
occupation and turn to other lines Of
endeavor.
IF I were to go to our miner" said
a local coal dealer today, and tell
him everyone in Topeka was clamor-
ing for coal. he would be tickled to
death to reopen the mines. He could
assure his men of full time work and
they would come flocking back to the
Job. AS 1t is. I am afraid people are
going to wait until there are no men
to flock back"
Decrease OF so Per Cent.
The production OF coal in the
age of 80 per cent over last year. ac-
cording to statistics. This. 1t is ex-
planned, is because of a lack of de-
mand. The demand of the miners for
a five day week and six-hour day.
with an eight-hour pay basis. has
also reduced the production, it is de-
clared.
Practically the only coal moving in
Topeka, the dealers say. is the high
grade article. being purchased by the
wealthier class. But as this class
forms but a small proportion of the
population, the situation is not re-
lieved.
The conditions cannot be exagger-
ated, 1t Is declared. Only the action
of every family in Immediately order
ing the winter coal supply, or at least
as large a part OF 1t as possible, can
avert a serious shortage when cold
weather comes. This critical condition
is not confined to this section of the
country. but extends to all parts of the
United States. For the next five years,
1t is believed. America will have to
supply France and Belgium with all
their coal When this expectation
reaches large proportions, 1t will ag-
gravate the local situation at a time
when the fuel is needed the worst
The movement of the greatest crops
In history is going to monopolize the
entire rolling stock of the country
not only cars. but locomotives-it is
asserted. and by the time this emery
ency is over the winter will be set
ting in. with no men to work the
mines.