Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1902 — COAL STRIKE AFFECTS NAVY. [ARTICLE]

COAL STRIKE AFFECTS NAVY.

Service Reported on the Verge of a Disastrous State of Affairs. The navy already is suffering from the effects of the coal strike, and Rear Admiral Bradford, chief of the bureau of equipment, who has charge of the pur-

ehase of coal for ships of war and navy yard plans, has reported to the Secretary of the Navy that the service is on the verge of a disastrous state of affairs. The navy will lie crippled seriously unless the strike ends and the sources of fuel supply are again open to the government. The supply of coal such as is used in the furnaces of naval vessels and at the plants of naval establishments is diminishing to an alarming extent. The reserve stock has been drawn upon with such liberality that the service is do longer in a position to meet calls of emergency. The available appropriation for coal also has unusual drafts upon it, and it will be necessary next year to ask for an unusual emergency deficiency appropriation. Every effort has tx-en made by the department authorities to protect the service from the disastrous effect of the strike.