The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-04
Government COnfiscation Order
Ruined Carefully Laid Plans.
FORM POTlNIN COAL COMPANY
Society to COmmerce-Then
Commerce to Society.
Expression of Disappointment
Equal to Amy Coal Dealers.

. SIX prominent POtwin women beat
the coal strike-almost. That is, they
were away out ahead of the strike.
Then the cruel government stepped in
with an order that took a whole car
load OF precious coal right out Of their
bins.
1t was nearly a week before the coal
STRIKE order became effective that the
little group of Potwin women met one
afternoon to discuss the social well
rare and servant girl problems And
just when conversation began to drag.
some one mentioned the threatened
coal famine. Six ayes was the re-
sponse to an inquiry as to the number
of coal bins that would need attention
before the end of winter
Just to think" one woman de-
clared. as she confronted an imaginary
coal baron. these dealers will let US
have but one ton of coal at a time
maybe none al all If this strike con-
tinues."
There was little indignation meet
ing and a few retailers were boiled In
tar-at least that was the verdict
which the jury returned Then came
the one big idea
An Idea With Kick.
"Oh girls, know just the grandest
and dearest way of getting our coal
without having to beg these pesky
dealers" said a woman whose name
often appears in society columns
Five women gathered around close to
listen to the secret. Thirty minutes
later two women were on their way to
a printing office. That evening a fond
husband wondered at the interest
which his wife had suddenly found in
his typewriter. The following morn
ing letter was on the desk OF KAN
sas City coal firm asking for the i'm
mediate shipment of a car Of coal The
letter was from the Potwin Coal &
Coke Co. AID since this is our first
order, you may send the coal c. O.~D., "
the new company" wrote.
So in due time a draft came to a
Topeka bank with a bill of lading for
a car of coal attached. And at almost
the same time the car of coal arrived
in the Santa F'e yards in Topeka. A
telephone number was attached to the
bill for the coal and the freight agent
called the number.
''Potwin Coal SS Coke Co ?? asked
the brisk, seriously business like
freight agent
'Y-e-e-s," purred back n feminine
voice that was it's own beautiful and
self conscious admission of sudden
Standing in the world OF commerce and
finance.
well I have a car of coal for
youse. WhatH I do wild it?'
OOoh, Goody, and Then
"Oooh goody, goody. goody!"
screamed the woman who had loaned
her telephone number as identification
Of the headquarters of the new coal
ompany-organized TO provide its
- own supply in adequate tonnage and
at wholesale rates. "Oooh goody. Just
have them put the coal on the Rock
Island tracks. And oh, thank you so
much"
And the freight agent was just en-
terinG his office after delivering di-
rections to switching crew. A mes
senger from the general offices handed
the freight agent an order to confis-
cate coat for railroad use. The lady
with the startled self conscious ex-
preston of power was called again.
THE government has just sent or
ders to confiscate your coal" pro-
claimed the agent.
"Oh hell,'i was the startled uncon-
scious reply
And IS the receiver clicked, the
head of the PO:win Coal & Coke COM
pany went back to ponder on the un-
certainty of ventures in the world OF
business and industry