The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-02
Whole Nation Faces Greatest
shutdown in History.
Strip Pits at Pittsburg Biggest
Producing Field in Z. s.
NEW TROUBLES IN WYOMING
Rationing of Coal May Cause
Closing by Thezters.
Despite General Low Tempera-
lures Little Suffering So Far.

Chicago. Dec. 2.-Restrictions on
the use of coal already put into effect
by regional coal committee where the
pinch of necessity had been felt today
wera extended throughout the nation
under an order of the federal fuel ad-
.nrinistrator. The most extensive shut
sdown Of industry in history was in
iprospect, and domestic consumers were
preparing to endure privaton and dis
comfort as the strike of bituminous
coal miners entered its second month.
Only in Kansas where volunteers
worked in the strip pits under pro-
lection of state and federal troops
and in the New River field of West
Virginia, was there any prospect of
Increased production. In Kansas
seven pits were worked and in West
Virginia operators said normal pro-
iduction was in sight by the end Of the
week. Throughout the remainder OF
the country however. miners remained
isteadfast in their determination not
to return TO work under the IA per
cent wage increase order by the federal
government and acceded to by the
operators.
3 New Cut in Wyoming.
In wyoming new labor troubles
Threatened to. decrease the small
amount of coal being brought out.
Except for brief shut downs at the be-
ginning of the strike and twice since
the mines in that state generally had
maintained operation.
Members of the railroad brother
hoods in Kansas today were expected
10 act on n resolution adopted last
might to request authority to refuse to
handle coal mined by non-union
workers.
Z Under the sweeping order of Fuel
Administrator Garfield, limiting deliv-
cry of fuel for power only to essential
consumers in the first five classes of
the war priority list, curtailpent Of
production was in prospect in fac
tories turning out boots. and shoes,
brass and bronze manufacturers.
clothing machinery (except where
specifically exempted); iron and steel,
jewelrx. marble and stone products,
musical instruments, paper goods,
cigars wagons and carriages, wood
manufacturers, sheet and metal prod
,ucts, leather goods, mattresses, paints
and varnishes, Photographic supplies
and miscellaneous non essentials
Theaters Face Shutdown.
Theaters. motion picture shows and
ali other places of amusement faced.
complete shut downs. Churches and
schools also were included in that
category altho efforts we're being
made to postpone closing schools as
long as possible.
Bakeries. except those producing
only bread fell under ttTe ban as did
confectioneries and certain packing
plants.
In some of those industries, how
ever. an immediate shut down might
Sc forestalled il the regional coal
committees. permitted them to operate
until their present supply of fuel was
exhausted.
Despite low temperatures that have
spread over the west for the last few
days, little actual suffering because
of the fuel shortage had been re-
ported today. In Nebraska, swhere
near zero weather prevailed. Kilgore
had been without coal ten days West
ern Kansas, also without coal several
days. was to obtain an emergency sup
ply today, the first taken from the
strip pits OF that state.
Suspension of all traffic over the
ST. Louis &c San Francisco railroad
lines out of Oklahoma City today was
said to be only matter of hours un-
81 less coal was supplied. All railroad
traffic might be tied up at Oklahoma
City by the end of the week. railroad
Officials there said. In Indiana, state
officials expressed hope that enough
coal could be mined Immediately to
furnish the state institution with fuel