Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 233, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1917 — Coal Shortage to Be Greater, Lewis Predicts. [ARTICLE]

Coal Shortage to Be Greater, Lewis Predicts.

Indianapolis, Oct. 16.—Greater coal shortage than is now being experienced in Indiana was predicted today by Ernest L. Lewis, chairman of the Public Service Commission, due to the laying up of lake traffic by cold weather and the necessity for shipping coal to the northwest by rail. This, it is said, will take thousands of cars from Indiana and keep them away fromthemines for several months. —. Mr. Lewis’ prediction was made at a meeting of railroad men at the commission offices. Railroad men strengthened this prediction by pointing out that a shortage of motive power and rolling stock confronts American railways due to the shipment of engines and cars to Russia to relieve a grave situation there. They declared that the roads are left without as great transportation facilities as will be necessary to handle future traffic.