The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1919-11-07
U. S. Government
Stops Coal for
Foreign Ships

Washington, Nov 7.-sull hope
ful that court Developments al In
dianapolis saturday might point the
way TO an early ending Of the coal
strike, Government agencies never
iheless put forth renewed efforts lo
protect the public against distress
almost certain 10 result from a pro
lracted suspension Of mining oper-
ations.
Realizing that the country Is
burning three times as much coal a.
the mines are turning out. the rail-
road administration. the great coal
distributing agencies. through is re-
Gently created central coal commit
tee, took drastic action in ordering
that the supplying Of coal 10 foreign
iowned ships In American ports be-
stopped Immediately.
With calls for assistance from
communities suffering from a coal
shortage growing more numerous.
the railroad administration turned
loose every available car 10 meet the
appeals made for fuel.
Orders went 10 regional directors
of the nations railroads from IN
rector Hines 10 eliminate train SER
vice where absolutely necessary ia
The public interest but 4 was off
cially announced that no general
curiailment of service was cuniem-
plated.
The discontinuance nf foreign TOM
mage huukering was the first step
lakcn by the government since the
coal strike hcran last saturday to-
ward curiailment Of transportation
The central committee made II plain
that American owned ships aud tom
mage under the American flag would
continue to receive coal supplies.
hut all other vessels a. the situation
now exists will be- compelled to await
the end Of the strike.
Ehe committees action l. similar
10 that taken by Great Britain dur
ing the recent strike Of British coal
miners. Officials would not predict
the result of the order. at II was not
known IN Washington the amount Of
foreign tonnage now In American
ports dependent on coal supplies
from this country Vessels now be-
ng bunkered, IN event they are for
eign owned. will be- tied up. a. we'll
as all such incoming vessels with in
sufficient supplies In their holes to
make the return trip.
Union Racks Hold Fast.
Chicago. Nov New restrictions
on the Use of soft coal were an
nounced today the sixth day OF the
miners strike. In some localities
orders were even more drastic than
during the war, but the general sit
ualion showed little change.
While production In West Virginia
and Colorado were reported in
creased yesterday. there Vas 40 no
iiceable change In the RANKS Of the
10000 striking miners.
Appeals for coal 20 prevent dis
iress In many towns IN kansas and
Alabama were sent Ia state and rail-
road officials.
The central coal committee Of the
railroad administration authorized
regional directors of the railroads Ia
suspend such trains as might be- re-
garded absolutely necessary hut let
Il be known, that no general curiail-
ment was planned.
SiNty-six trains were annulled by
the Chicago and Northwestern aud
the Chicago. Milwaukee and st. Paul
railroads.
! Indiana's public service commits
sion took the most drastic action IN
the domestic field. II decreed light
less streets, discontinuance of elec-
trio sign service, coal gas for heating
I and other advisable restrictions of
+ service by public utilities with less
! than two weeks supply OF coal
One independent steel mill IN PITTS
? burg was handicapped for coal
! In Chicago the coal committees of
the Northwestern and Central West-
T. ern railroad regions announced re-
moval Of All restrictions on coal
shipments for federal. state. county
and municipal, public utility. daily
$ newspapers and a few similar classi-
{ ficalions throuehous the country.
e The order Applied TO coal already
= taken Charge Of in transit and That
e TO be mined, and was designed 10
meet pressing necessities such a.
freeing coal cars for mines stu Ia
operation.
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