Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 265, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 November 1917 — PATRIOTISM AND BUSINESS [ARTICLE]

PATRIOTISM AND BUSINESS

COAL DEALERS ADMONISHED TO BE CAREFUL OF DISTRL BUTION TO CUSTOMERS. ' A meeting of the soal dealers of the county was held Thursday evening in the County Commissioners’ office in the court house. The following were present, Marion Coover and Walter Johnson of Remington, D. E. Grow, Conrad Kellner, Harry Hartley and Frank Donnelly of Rensselaer, and Ezra Whitehead of Wheafield. Besides the coal dealers the meeting was attended by County fuel administrator B. F. Fendig and his assistant, Moses Leopold. The important subject was the distribution df coal. Administrator Fendig had made a very through investigation and he felt sure that if the dealers to follow implicitly and tion, he had received from the State Administrator Woolen that it would ber possible for all to have the fuel needed. Mr. Fendig was instructed to see that not more than one ton of coal was delivered at a time to a customer. This instruction he requested the dealers to follow implicity and to be careful that some one who has plenty of coal does not get a supply now.

Under the Lever law it is a serious crime to hoard coal and the drastic penalty of that law will be inforced if necessary to handle the coal distribution. If coal will be distributed by the dealers properly and a shortage should occur the administrator has the assurance that emergency coal can and will be had upon very short notice. Mr. Fendig assured the coal men that if they would co-operate with him that there would be no serious shortage of coal. He had given much time and expense to the matter and the coal men and the people of the county can be assured that they have trusted -this important duty to an efficient man who is now doing everything that can be done to avert suffering or the stagnation of business. The coal dealer will be furnished with blanks and those who desire coal must, if called upon, make statement of the amount of coal they have on hands. The dealers are willing and anxious to co-operate with the administrator and the people are requested to co-operate with the dealers. Some other points in Mr. Fendig’s address were that Indiana people must depend upon Indiana bituminous coal alone. Little or no Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky coal will be shipped into the state. Not only that but we cannot expect to get lump coal. We must take it slack and all. The fork is to be taken from the coal yards and the scoop is to be substituted. This will be a disappointment to many, but, we must get used to disappointments. ~

Customers are urged to limit the amount of fuel they use to the lowest minimum possible. Un-used room, should be closed. Fires in the ranges should be limited to the least possible comsumption of coal. There is a great amount of wood going to waste in the county. This should be gathered and used. Everyone who can should use wood. Assistant fuel administrator Moses Leopold appealed to the patriotism of the dealers. He asked them to subserve the desire for gain-the important business now at hand-the winning of the war. He urged that the coal be distributed in ton lots. He was sure it was necessary for all to conserve in the use of coal. It is evident that if the people will not attempt to hoard and will allow a careful distribution of coal that the administrator and coal dealers wall be able to furnish all fuel absolutely needed. The matter of price is to be adjusted later. Possibly an expert will be asked to give advice in the matter. Our dealers here are lower than m many other places. The dealers feel that they are selling the coal as low as it is possible to sell it under present conditions. They are however, very willing to follow the dictation of the fuel administrator. Possibly we all need to mix a little more patriotism with our business just now. And by all is meant the business man, the farmer, the laborer as well as the professional man.