Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1920 — GOAL DEALERS BLAME ROADS [ARTICLE]

GOAL DEALERS BLAME ROADS

Seek Edict From Commerce Commission Against Carriers to Halt Famine. SUPPLY SIXTH OF NORMAL Retail Merchant* Ask Washington to Stop Seizures and Force Quick Deliveries —Chicago Periled. Chicago, July 80. —While coal operators of Indiana were engaged in session here and an urgent call to operators throughout the central competitive district was calling them ail to an emergency meeting the retail coal bureau,. representing Chicago retail coal dealers, sent an urgent protest and appeal for relief to Washington. Addressed to the Interstate commerce commission, the appeal .•■■rotests against the arbitrary methods of the railroads In seizing and refusing to deliver coal consigned to Chicago. Ask Order for Relsas*. The bureau asks an immediate order from the commission, releasing enough steam coal to protect essential Industries and institutions. The telegram Is as follows: “Interstate Commerce Commission, “Washington, D. C.: "Carriers this section are refusing to deliver any bituminous coal now In transit or to accept billing from Illinois or Indiana mines except to public utilities, hospitals or railroads. “Dealers are absolutely shut off and no provision made for stores, office buildings, ice and cold storage plants and similar essentials, nor are hospital* protected, as 96 per cent are dependent on wagon deliveries from dealers’ yards. “Dealers here had no advance notice of this' arbitrary action and as situation is desperate pray for relief in the way of official order releasing sufficient atca«n coal for their yards to protect essentials. “RHTAIL COAL BURKAU.” The coal operators are to meet here today to discuss the coal and strike situation. They will represent all of the larger mining Interests in Illlnoi*, Indiana, Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Directly upon the heels of this announcement came that of Frank Farrington, president of the striking mine worker's in Illinois .that the Illinois situation Is “very promising.” Mr. Farrington’s statement says that there is every prospect of a settlement to the satisfaction of the strikers within a few days.

Supply One-Sixth of Normal. Coal In dealerg' yards In Chicago is a sixth to a seventh of the normal supply, W. H. Leland, vice-president of the Consumers company, said. He declared that if nothing is done to improve the constantly diminishing receipts Chicago will be “going on a vacation” next week. "The normal supply In Chicago at this time of year is around 600,000 to 700,000 tons,” Mr. Leland said. “These figures relate to coal In dealers'.yards. Ah the coal on hand in the yards of Chicago today is not more than 100,000 tons. “My own company should have at this time between 175,000 and 200,000 tons in the yards apd be receiving 7,500 tons a day. We have today approximately 80,000 tons and our receipts today are 8,500 tons. Tomorrow they will be lower. Very little coal is left on the road here.” President Has Coal Report. Washington, July 30.—Secretary of Labor Wilson’s report on .the coal situation, with recommendations for adjusting labor troubles In the Industry, now is in the hands of President Wilson. The voluminous document went over to the White House from the department of labor early this afternoon, and the president Immediately began a careful study of It. As the report had been requested by the president. Secretary Wilson considered it confidential and declined, therefore, to make it public or to discuss Its contents.