Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-11-03
SEVERAL IOWA TOWNS FEELING
PINCH OF STRIKE or
MINERS.
PUBLIC UTILITY PLANTS
MAY BE FORCED TO CLOSE
pes Molnes Considering Closing of
Amusensnts, Churches and Schools
State Officials send Vigorous Pro.
test Against Order of Government
Confisostins Coal in Transit.
TBy Associated Press.l


Des Moines, Nov. S.--Pu0ito utility
plants In some Of the small cities OF
the state will be among the first to
suffer from tho coal strike according
to reports coming IN 70 the state fue!
administration. Some Of them may
have TO shut down entirely while
others will only operate Part ti-ao.
Local fuel committees are consider
Ing the shutting down Of schools.
churches, theaters. pool halls and all
places where there Is q possibility OF
saving coal without cutting too severe
~ into the business Of the commun-
.ty.
Commissioner Charles Webster in
his telegram to Director General Hines
Saturday stated that the city Of
Indianola would have 70 close down
It. electric light plant and water
plant Tuesday. Sufficient water will
30 pumped to take care Of the city IN
case OF Are. Reports have come In
from! Newton that the electric light
plant probably vii! cut down It's ser
vice within q day or 50. Similar con-
d!tions are said to prevail IN other
cities.
I: Governor Harding and State Fuel
Administrator Charles Webster are
able to secure como Of the coal taken
over by the railroads Saturday It u
possible that some OF the plants now
threatened with closing may secure q
little longer lease On life. In Des
Mo!res the loca! fuel committee has
49, 81 fny-
before ordering the closing up OF
churches, schools and amusement
places in the hopes that some way gu:
OF tho present condition may open up
! by that time.
Charges Inconsistency.
Fuel Administrator Webster told
Director Gorera! E!aes. Of tho rail-.
road administrator. Ii he telegram e
him Saturday ssat 4 didn't !oe.: con-
! s.stsat TO him FOR the railroads to
| operate trains for shoppers ead fer
pleasure seekers while many pscpie
were suffering Cor coal. He asked tar
an early resembling Of the order per-
| hitting railroads to seise coal In tran.
sit. n his telegram he saidi
referring to my telegram Of the
J OWN lies 6EbSO Is1S
to take charge Of the coal situation in
this state Until the government orgari-
cation Is ready.
"Teur ORDER Ties Up every pound Of
coal on the track sad In transit re-
! CARELESS Of how badly Il IL needed. I,
seems as tho the railroad sin,inistra.
| ton has been somewhat: negligent If
! not Preparing for the present ener.
sency, which hes been pending since
| May end 1t Is hardly fair to take this
! coal from the people who ere in suaf
dire need. Hundreds OF families are O.
tlis minute using the Last Of the,l
| nlaage- supply. Schools are closing enc
oDs creamery will close Tuesday
Hotels packing plants and other indus.
| tries are out.
| AT the city Of TndlenoIa they wi
be obliged to shut down the light ant
water plants in three days by reason
OF this order. Some one with discretion
and judgment and readily accessible
in Iowa to whom we can appeal should
have authority to release coal In erner.
gency cases. TO my mind /, is nartiiJ
consistent TO cornfsoate coal for tn,
purpose Of running shopping ant
pleasure trains People should stay q
homo IL possible and both, freight ans
passenger service curtailed at once,
modified order would DO greatly 3D.
preciated."