In January 1918, the federal government ordered all businesses closed for five days due to a national fuel (coal) shortage. In the local area (Belvidere, Illinois) the National Sewing Machine, The Belvidere Screw and Machine Company, The Gossard Corset Company and Parsons Casket Company were shut down but food manufacturing companies like the Borden Plant and Wait Creamery were allowed to stay open.
In addition, the railroad ran on reduced hours and any businesses that needed fuel to run were ordered to close on Mondays for nine weeks. Schools which had enough surplus fuel to heat classrooms could stay open as could businesses which did not rely on fuel.
This caused a huge debate on whether to close the schools to use their fuel for businesses and residences.
So, the year 1918 was already off to a bad start and the country was still in the midst of World War I as American casualties increased dramatically. So, before the virus hit, there already had been a major scarlet fever outbreak and the coal shortage.
--Cooter
No comments:
Post a Comment