| OCR Text |
Show Coal Problem Acute. WASHINGTON .Jan. 1 S. Destruction of allied merchant ships by enemy pub-marines pub-marines is miiklhK the ocean transportation transporta-tion probloiis in the entente countries so acute, according to official dispatches received re-ceived hero, today, that even the tlxInK of maximum rates on coal transportation transporta-tion lias failed to relieve the coal shorta.Ro In France and Italy. Neutral vessels are rcfusinK to carry coHl from I'.rltlsh porta to the alllod countries, as nttutrul porta offer bettor rates, |