Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-17
STATE HOUSE
Mex. Meeting Of Council N. Wednesday, March q

J helped them to protect their COM
munities. Furthermore, secured
anthracite for hospitals and schools
that were unable to use bituminous,
and so far as know no hospital or
school suffered for lack Of coal.
I'VE had complaints from the peo-
pie Of Portland which I examined
personally. and In ono week issued
1178 emergency ORDERS SO that the
people there could obtain coal. After
this they were able to secure coal.
an. in my opinion there should not
have been any suffering in the city
Of Portland.
1.-THE Fuel Administration saved
the coal consumers Of Maine consid-
cradle money. We have stabilized
prices 80 that they have been kept
as reasonable as circumstances would
permit. and we have saved the fuel
purchasers of Maine thousands of
dollars In preventing excessive
prices.
"The coal dealers Of Maine with
the exception Of two, have cooperat-
ed with me in every way. and in so
doing have helped their communities
and maintained reasonable prices,
and wish to sincerely thank them
for the great assistance they have
given in helping out the various
communities.
1.-THE railroads Of Maine have been
a great help to me. They have CO.
operated with the administration in
every possible way. The Maine Cen
trail established a coal tracing bu-
reau that worked closely at all times
with us. We urged the dealers to
furnish us with a list Of cars that
were moving so we could trace them.
We were able to locate and trace
over 500 car loads and the dealer was
advised Of the present record of their
car. the junction point, and when
they would arrive at destination. and
they could keep their communities
advised as to when they would re-
ceive their coal.
II wish to thank Captain sherman
and his assistants of the Lighthouse
service, as well as Captain RldScley
Of the 'Ossipee' and Captain Shea of
the .Achushnet' and their valuable
assistants, for the great work they
have done in breaking ice in harbors.
BAYS, and rivers, and towing barges.
vessels, and steamers. Without their
aid there would have been great SUI
ferins especially on the islands and
along the coast. They have helped
me greatly, and saved much money
in keeping harbOrs open where other
wise it would have been necessary
to move the coal over rail. In some
places it is Impossible to get coal by
water, and they We're able to reach
all points in Maine. l recommend
strongly that you impress upon
Washington the Importance OF NAY
ing an ice breaker of heavy design
on our coast from December LIST 10
ApriI 1st of each year, so as to pro-
tect the people of Maine along the
coast and on the islands. to ger
food and fcul. Furthermore, II an
ice breaker was kept working during
this period it would enable the peo-
nile to secure coal and save from one
To two dollars per ton, and IN addl-
ton would enable the community u
keep in touch with the MAINLAND.
with plenty of wood avaiiaole IL
has been an exceedingly nara ma,'tr
to handle this subject. we eSsap
lished prices in various cities ana
towns and have kept prices down SO
that communities could OBTAIN 1hcir
wood at the same prices as 192l-2-'
hut | must say it was not as satis-
, fying as 1 would desire, for such
wooded country as Maine. -
IT wish to thank publicly MIR. IL
w Parker, director of distrlbutloh'
PENNSYLVANIA Fuel Commission WHO
has been a great help to the STATE
and has always been ready and WILL
ing to assist.
Il have suggested to the Inter.
state Commerce Commission ana
also the Pennsylvania Fuel Com
mission and the larger coal COM
panies that all shipments OF an
thracite except to shallow draft
places, be moved into Maine via
steamers. which would enable it to
move regularly and at a saving OF at
least 50 to IS cents ton over the
present rates via barges. which are
so uncertain. Communities must
suffer by delay of barges and if ship
ments were moved via steamers in
approximately three months time
all anthracite necessary in the state
of Maine would be available in
Maine. In order to avoid demur-
rage which amounts to considerable
in this State. I would suggest that a
coal discharging plant be installed
on the municipal dock at Portland.
If this was established it would help
the industries and the people of
money in the course of a year. In
my opinion the price OF anthracite
will not be any lower in 19223-224. and
/ respectfully suggest to the people
of Maine that during the coming
summer if theys possibly could to
purchase and secure their coal.
ITO the papers of the State of
Maine I owe considerable foC the
great assistance they have given,
and especially the reporters at Au-
gusta.
II would suggest that the records
Of the Fuel Administrator be care
fully kept for the future as all
towns, cities. and dealers are prop
erly classified SO that if another
crisis should arise these records are
in such shape to give information
Immediately in helping out the peo-
pie and saving the State consider
able time and money.
I'm conclusion, ] wish to thank
the Governor for the great assist
ance he has given and has cooper
ated in every way with me. In clos
Ing wish to say that I had only
one desire and that was to protect
the OAonle and industries Of Maine