The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-12-01
COAL PILES
OF COUNTRY
DWINDL|NG
Supplies Grow Short as Strike
Enters Second Month
Kansas Begins to Operate
Mines Under Receivership.
ADMINISTRATOR ASKED
(By Associated Press)

(By Associated PreSS)
CHICAGO, Dec. 1.-Further string:
ent regulations for conservation of
fuel supplies, made necessary by the
strike Of bituminous coal miners who
have now been idle a month, were in
effect today over virtually the entire
country between Ohio and the Rocky
mountains and from Canada to the
gulf Of Mexico.
Regional fuel committees took con-
troll of coal stocks in many states and
non-essential industries continued to
close down because of lack of fuel,
while the hours for operating stores,
theatres and office buildings were cur
tailed.
In Kansas City, Mo-, and Omaha and
Lincoln, Neb., all schools were closed
today, and officials of many other
cities discussed the advisability of
closing the schools until the fuel
shortage is relieved
Reports today from the large bitum-
inous fields Of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
and Pennsylvania gave no assurance
that the union miners intended to ac-
cept the offer of an increase of II per
cent in wages made by the federal
fuel administration. Neither was there
any indication that local settlements
would be effected between miners and
operators.
In West Virginia union officials as
serted that most organized mines in
District No. which includes the
kanawha fields, would be idle today.
The operators. however, claimed that
the output in the New River district
would be increased during the week.
Recommend Administration.
Governors of Illionis, Indiana, Iowa,
Missouri and Tennessee, and a repre-.
sentative of the governor of Kansas,
who met here yesterday in response
to call issued by Gov. Gardner Of
Missouri, to discuss means for ending
the threatened coal famine, recon-
mended to the federal government
that fuel administration be appoint
ed in each state to have full charge of
distribution of all coal available for
his state. 1t was also recommended
that all coal mined and in stock be
distributed equitably among the As
states on the basis OF their needs de-
veioped during the war, regardless of
the state where mined.
The governors left for their homes
today after agreeing to convene again
at st. Louis next Sunday. Miles c,
Riley, secretary of the conference, was
directed to go to Washington to lay
the situation before the federal
authorities.
The calling off early today of the
strike of railway switchmen which be-
gan at Kansas City Saturday, it was
stated, would greatly relieve the sit
uation confronting that city, and some
other parts OF the southwest because
OF the fuel famine
After meeting lasting most Of the
night, the switchmen voted to declare
off the strike aud notified the general
| manager of the Kansas City Terminal
| company that they would return to
work this morning. thus enabling the
| railroads to distribute the limited sup
ply of coal available
Kansas to Operate.
Plans for operating the coal mines
| Of Kansas under the receivership OF
| the state supreme court went forward
today and Governor Allen announced
that actual digging by volunteers
would begin tomorrow. Twelve hun
dred Kansas national guardsmen and
600 federal troops were in the Pitts
burgh mining district today and il
was announced that all volunteer
workers would be protected.
In Chicago T. w. Proctor, chairman
of the regional coal committee, told
the 2S0 coal dealers of the city tha.
they did not own a pound of coal. as
he had taken control and would dis
tribute it.
None of you owns pound of COAL
said Mr.. Proctor. "non-essential indus
trials will be crippled. manufacturing
will be stopped. commerce will be
! slowed down and luxuries-if not Ger
tain conveniences-of travel will be
| eliminated"