Rationing of coal supplies looming

With winter approaching, householders were warned that from October 1, 1918, coal supplies would be rationed.

The days of the “haphazard buying of coal from a lorry in the street” were past, said the Observer in an article headed ‘The scarcity of coal’.

Full details of the new arrangements had not been released but it was expected consumers would have to register with a supplier.

People were, however, warned that in working out a household’s coal ration, account would be taken of the amount already in its cellar.

That was because the Government had urged residents to help relieve pressure on transport during the winter months by building up their coal stocks at other times of the year.

It would, said the Observer, be unfair if those who had cellars packed with coal were able to draw the full ration, while those who had empty coal houses on October 1 would receive no more than the limit.

‘What is expected to happen is that householders will require to declare the amount they have in hand on October 1 and this amount will be deducted from their allowance for the year,’ explained the paper.

Households were warned they would have to declare the amount of coal they had on October 1. If it was more than the amount they were allotted, the surplus would be distributed to other consumers.

Homes using gas made from coal were also expected to be carefully monitored.

Those exceeding their gas ration would most probably face financial penalties, said the Observer.