The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-12-03
CONSERVATION
| IN FULL SWING
Further Disruption Of Industry
in Prospect-More Trains
Taken of.

Cnlcago, Dec. GA. P)-Further
disruption OF national industry be-
cause Of the fuel shortage brought
about by the strike of bituminous
coal miners, was in prospect today
Regional directors of railroads had
authority to annul passenger trains
where the public would be least in
convenienced, and many additional
manufacturing plants throughout tho
country faced shutdowns either
through exhaustion of their coal
supply or the strict rationing de-
creed by the federal fuel administra-
tor.
State executives who, under ap-
peals from their constituents for aid,
have sought ways and means for re-
plenishing the dwindling fuel supply,
today virtually were without en-
couragement as regarded increased
production. Only In isolated in
stances were there reports of q
change Of front on the part of miners.
Generally the workers adhered to
shSi httitdaC VI aWuy
from the mines until better terms
than the Ia per cent. wage increase
decreed by the government were forth
coming. A slight ray of hope, how
ever, was found in optimistic reports
from operators of the district en-
bracing southeastern Kentucky, Ten
nessee and Virginia, that the back
bone of the strike there had been
Y ..nt, tN ,,ly .s,..,
ats,pI1e small mine In Missouri, with
the statement that they, as Ameri-
cans, could not see their neighbors
suffer, and adoption by miners of one
West Virginia subdistrict of a reso-
luton fay oring a general return to
work under the IA per cent wage in
crease until a satisfactory adjust
ment Is made" On the other hand,
cutting off of electric advertising and
other nonessential use of power and
fuel, with the added prospect of fur
ther curtailment of industry,
rather gloomy outlook. Some regional
coal directors estimated that with re-
ductions OF working STATS already
made Or threatened, should the strike
NsaMta ~ awaken immediately. the nuH.
D 'thioWh ouk Vi WofN
soon would surpass several over the
involved in the walkout.
Conditions at the mines today
showed no appreciable change from
yesterday. There was no indication of
any intention to resume production
in the great central competitive field,
Illinois, Indiana, western Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio.
The output of the surface mines in
Kansas, being worked by volunteers,
under protection of state and federal
soldiers, today promised to be in
creased as the men got the hang" of
the work, and their forces were aug
mented. The governor of Nebraska
continued to urge men of his state to
volunteer to work in the mines of
nearby coal producing states, and the
dispatching of troops into the fields
of Missouri was regarded by some as
n forerunner of attempted state op-
Grafton of those mines.
Gas Supply curtailed.
Columbus, o., Dec. 3.--On top of an
already acute coal shortage many
northern Ohio cities are facing big
curtailment of the gas supply from
West Virginia as a result of an or
der of the West Virginia utilities
commission.
II the order of the West Virg inia
commission is carried out it will
mean the diversion of 100000 cubic
feet of gas a day from Ohio cities.
State Atty Gen. Price said he may
seek federal injunctions to restrain
h. 1n4a ~4J AT In
ginia officials to curtail Ohlo's gas
supply.
Volunteers Hit Stride.
Topeka, Kan, Dec. 3.-Reports re-
oeived at tho governors office this
morning we're to the effect that ev-
erything was quiet in the Crawford
and Cherokee county coal fields and
that tho volunteers were getting into
their stride and turning out coal as
rapidly as could be expected.
Two mines were reported operating
in the Usage county field and the re-
ports from the meeting OF Usage OPP
orators and miners Tuesday after
noon said there were bright prospects
of opening all of the Usage mines.
More tractors, horses and wagons
were being mobilized today to be
sent to Pittsburg and thirty crane
men and engineers were to be sent
before tonight.
With more volunteer coal miners
listed by tho state than Gov. Allen
can use, Topeka is now going to try
to help relieve the fuel shortage by
putting volunteer woodchoppers to
work. Jess Willard, former heavy
weight champion. is going to furnish
the wood from the big farm ne pur-
chased near Topeka with the pro-
ceeds from his Dempsey fight.