The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-21
Topeka FACES
A REAL CRISIS,
PURDY WARNS
Conservation Measure Also To
Affect Street Car Service.
Big Plant Would Shut Down in
Ten Days if Run Irregular"
CONSERVATION is IMPORTANT
Stores Must Accept Lower Tenn
Feratures, Purdy Asserts.
No Hope Complete Recovery if
Mining Began Today.
Conservation Measure Also To
Affect Street Car Service.
Big Plant Would Shut Down in
Ten Days if Run Irregular"
CONSERVATION IS IMPORTANT

city ordinance giving the Topeka
Eds company authority to limit
hours of electric and heating service
in view of the coal crisis, and limiting
opening hours of stores to from 9 a.
II. 10 p m, and prohibiting sign and
window display lighting, was to be
drawn this afternoon by d. H Bran
aman city attorney, assisted by a
committee composed of A. H. Purdy,
Commissioner Wilbur Stanfield and T.
+. 1oran.
he committee met following in
s. t-tions Branaman today by
t!:e c,ty com IN, acting on a warn
j. from the on company that un-
l<s drastic q n was taken at once
t. conserve the fuel supply. the plant
" I be forced to practically shut
-a ordinance will also govern gen
o. use of coal, looking toward its
walton. in the entire city" if
f. NAL recommendations of the Edi-
company, signed by A. H. PurdY.
:, aral superintendent, We're carried
m tat:on of fuel as urged will af-
fes electric current for industries.
hu- mss and residence lighting, steam
heating and street car service, it was
as-Crted.
The warning sent the city by Purdy
s1'1 the. Edison company had only
and that the plant should be operated
only for necessary enterprises"
Ordinance To BE Comprehensive.
Mayor CoTwine appointed Commits
sionevs Stanfield and McGiffert to as
s-st the city attorney in framing an or
dinanCe. Branaman was given au
thority to make the ordinance as COM
prchens4ve as necessary Brana man
and T. +. DOran examined state laws.
which give the city power to draw any
ordinance necessary to avert general
diaa eter.
The fuel situation in Topeka now is
far worEe Than it was when the city
was on the war basis in the winter of
aCer of the Edison company declared
today At that time, he pointed out,
production was speeded up. while at
present there is no coal being pro-
duced.
The conservation of steam heat, he
asserted, is the paramount question in
Topeka just now if the city is to
weather the period of shortage be-
tween now and the time when more
coal may be obtained. Shorter busi-
ness hours and lower tempera, ures in
both stores and homes We're declared
an absolute necessity of the situation
The elimination of electric signs and
all illumination not absolutely essen
tial. together with restricted street car
service, was predicted by Purdy.
This is the most serious situation
of its kind that ever confronted the
city Purdy declared IT'S now up to
the people to decide whether they
want a whole load for a short time, or
half for long time. If we oper-
ate tull power we can last about ten
days. Our coal will then be gone and
when we have only oil left. it will
mean we can pull only two-fifths of
our load"
1t is feared that even should mining
begin at once it would be impossible
to get coal into Topeka in time to
alleviate conditions OVershadowine- the
city. The Edison company supplies all
heat in business buildings on the east
side of Kansas avenue from Sixth to
Ninth on the west side from Fifth to
Ninth it furnishes heat for the Santa
Fe offices. Pelletier's high school
buildings, public library and other
ate the Western Union system from
Topeka to La Junta, including the
operation of the Santa Fe telegraph
and train dispatching. Shutting down
the Edison plant would throw all en-
ployeS in these places out of work.
Evidence was offered in an informal
discussion a the city hall today that
the railroads were cOnfiscating coal
and refusing to deliver coal held on
their tracks. OF five carloads held at
Edgerton, Commissioner Stanfield says
that three, his cars, are gone.
Mr.. Purdy's Warning.
The Edison company'S statement to
the city commissioners:
To the Honorable BOARD Of Commissioners
city Of Topeka. Gentlemen
This will advise you that the supply
of coal for the operation OF the Topeka
Edison company plant in the city Of To