Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 289, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1919 — COAL BINS RUNNING LOW [ARTICLE]

COAL BINS RUNNING LOW

DEALERS ISSUE WARNING AS BLACK DIAMONDS DISAPPEAR. Rensselaer is threatened with a fuel famine of a very severe nature, and that in the very near future is the prediction of local coal dealers who are v viewing the rapidly disappearing piles of coal in their yards with genuine alarm. The dealers assert that they are proceeding cautiously in the sale of their coal that a fair distribution of what remains may be made among our citizens. They state that at the present time the supply of coal on hand in Rensselaer is so low that it is no way sufficient to care for the heavy demand that is being made for it and that only in emergency cases are they filling orders. An inquiry made among the dealers today revealed the fact that the supply is practically as low as it was at any time during the period of the war, and that from present indications there is no relief in sight. The dealers ask that the citizens co-operate with them during the present emergency, and that they order coal onlj when it is absolutely necessary, that those who are really in need of coal may not be deprived of it because their neighbors have hoarded it. Occasionally a carload of coal reaches the city, but it is soon gobbled up. One firm 'expected a carload some time today, and one carload was received in the city Monday. Other cars will be here later on, providing they are not confiscated en route, as has been the case in one or two instances since the beginning of the present emergency. Just what the outcome of the fuel shortage at this time will be is hard to tell, but it is certain that before winter is over the situation will be as bad or worse than during last winter, and it behooves all of us to do everything possible to conserve the supply now in our bins »and in the hands of the dealers. Chicago’s theatres and churches have been closed on account of the shortage, and it is probable that public meeting houses and non-essential industries will follow within a short time. Many factories in all parts of the country have already been forced to close down, and it is only a matter of time until the entire country is back to the war time fuel basis.