The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-11-21
State Administrator Sends Out Let
ter In Which He Emphasizes
Requests Of Local Fuel
Board.
SITUATION IS SERIOUS
II Wni be Necessary to Use strlctest
Kind Of Conservation to Mako
Coal Pile
Lat.

The fuel situation IN Keokuk con
tinues to be serious. The warning
that the local fuel administration
sounded a couple Of days ago. Is
being reepated all over the state by
Charles Webster, state fuel admins
traitor, who is asking n urging
people Of Iowa to conserve coal wher
ever possible, and to those who have
full coal bins, the idea is being borne
home to them that they must share
with their neighbors.
The following open letter is sent
but from the headquarters of Com
Webster:
The coal situation IS becoming
most alarming and the supply In
many localities is very low. IN
some communities It will last
but a few days. Hundreds OF
families are now without coal ex-
cept such as can be obtained
from their neighbors and If the
strike lasts a few days longer
drastic measures will Of neces-
sity have to be taken.
Consumers who have plenty OF
coal and are able to heat their
house do not fully appreciate or
realize the seriousness OF the
situation and probably will not
until they are advised that their
neishbor has no coal and they
are called upon to divide.
1t is necessary TO conserve
every pound and we should begin
to do so at once. We r getting
some dock coal, but this will last
only a short time. Even II the
strike Is ended we cannot expect
shipments to any great extent for
two or three weeks and It looks
as though the citizens Of Iowa
will have to take care OF them
selves. The governor desires me
to advise the public Of the true
situation and authorizes me to
call upon the citizens Of the
state to cooperate in saving the
supply we have on hand In order
to preserve the health of u
families and friends.
The strike is producing the
same result as would an invad-
ing army. It shuts off Jul water,
heat, light and food supplies, and
Is threatening industries OF every
nature which will in time throw
thousands out Of employment. I,
therefore, call upon cities and
continue advertising signs, and
street lights, excepting those
necessary for police protection.
Fuel administrators should at
once call a conference Of city
officials, school directors and
business men and discuss the
feasibility Of closing all places
possible. It may be necessary
soon to commander coal where
there is a surplus in order to dis
tribute to those who are in need.
Coal in cellars Of California and
Florida tourists should be voIun-
tarly turned over to the fuel adj
ministrators. Those who have
waited until this time, as many
have, and then filled their cellars
while their neighbors have none
should be asked to divide their
surplus or be ostracized by the
community. Not to exceed n
ton should be delivered to a
household.
BY strict conservation, the use
of large quantities Of wood and
the rational and equitable use of
coal on hand, we win be able TO
make what we have last for a
considerable length OF time.
Very truly yours,
CHARLES WEBSTER,
State Fuel Administrator
The local administration has been
watching the situation carefully
and is convinced that only by
strictest economy car the situation
here be met. Conserve heat by
warming just as few rooms as pos
sible, by not building any bigger
fires than is absolutely necessary,
and by careful handling Of fuel
everywhere, is the local commissions
advice.