Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 147, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 June 1919 — COAL SHORTAGE ON WAY; GOH. SAYS BUY NOW [ARTICLE]

COAL SHORTAGE ON WAY; GOH. SAYS BUY NOW

May Be Repetition of 1917-18 Conditions Next Winter Says Geological Survey. MINES IDLE WITHOUT ORDERS. Those Who Delay Ordering Longer May Not Get Their Fuel Later On. The United States Geological Survey announces from Washington the probability of another general coal shortage next fall and winter. The announcement Is based, the Survey states, upon a nation-wide study of conditions in the bituminous field. Unless steps are taken at once, the Survey says, to place the mines upon a Jjasis of increased production there is every prospect of a repetition to some degree of the situation that prevailed in the United States during the winter of 1917-18. The only way production can be stimulated at the present time, it is said, is by placing orders with the mines for coal which will be needed later on. “Production during the first five months of the year,” reads the statement, “fell 57,292,000 net tons, or approximately 25% below production during the first five months of 1918. Mines are producing coal now at the rate pf from 8,000,000 to 8,500,000 tons a week. An averr age output of 10,700,000 tons a week must be maintained from June 1 to January 1 next if the country’s estimated needs of 500,000,000 tons this year are to be met.” Evil of Delayed Order*. At no time during this year has the rate of production approached the required tonnage. The tendency on the part of buyers to hold off placing their orders is lirfalting production, Us the mines cannot store coal at the point of production, and when the rush of orders for the winter’s needs comes next fall there is grave danger that the mines, with depleted labor forces and the probability of less adequate transportation, will be unable to meet the demands. The result of such a situation would be an insufficient supply for the requirements of domestic consumers, public utilities and Industrial users generally. i “It is believed that requirements for this year,” reads a Survey statement to Fuel Administrator Garfield, “will be about 530,000,000 tons of bituminous coal, of which approximately 30,000,000 tons have been used from stocks accumulated last year, leaving 500,000,000 tons to be produced. Of this 500,000,000 tons 178,000,000 tons were produced during the first five months, leaving 322,000,000 tons to be produced in the remaining 30 weeks, or an average of 10,700,000 tons a week. “Thus far this year production has been at the rate of 8,200,000 tons a week. In 1918 production was at the rate of 11,300,000 tons a week. “This production will be difficult of accomplishment. The capacity of operating mines at the present time with labor now on the payroll is about 10% lower than it was last year. This deficiency may be made up in part or wholly if the mines have orders sufficient to run them five or six days a week unless the threatened exodus of foreign-born labor occurs. May Be Car Shortage. “Present wage agrements between operators and miners expire with the proclamation of peace by the President A suspension of mining operations while a new wage agreement is being negotiated would, of course, seriously interfere with the production of coal and If it -should occur during the fall would cause a panic among buyers and consumers of coal.” There is no use in gambling upon this or any other contingency, fuel administration officials say. The firm or individual who wants to be sure of an adequate coal supply next winter can be certain by buying coal now. There is no other way such assurance can be obtained. Transportation also promises to be a limiting factor if the flood tide of demand comes at a time when the country’s record crops are being carried. In some districts it would appear certain that, notwithstanding the utmost endeavors of the Railroad Administration and the Utilization of its experience last fall, car shortage will be a cause limiting butimlnous coal production, and for that reason it Is problematical wheMier the expected production of 500,000,000 tons can be attained this year. Shortage of labor already is a factor that Is cutting down the output In some coal producing sections, according to the Survey’s report. The operators report that from 36,000 to 40.000 foreign-born miners expect to return to Europe as soon as they can get passports and that many have already returned. If continued this movement will be capable of producing but one result —a reduction of the amount of coal mined in districts where the mine labor Is largely foreign-born, and there are many such districts. He who needs coa! should hesitate no longer. Now is the time to buy touL