Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-29
The Local Coal Situation.

The fuel supply In Washington Is so low
and the weather so cold that the situation
has now reached the long-dreaded point
where it Is imperative that relief must be
had. Delays are menacing to the health OF
thousands Of people; perhaps even to their
lives
The statement as to the local coal supply
and the prospects for increasing 1t which
appeared In yesterdays Star afforded
conservative view OF the case. There is,
apparently every disposition on the part
Of the local dealers to procure and deliver
fuel, but they find themselves, for reasons
which cannot yet be fathomed salts
factorily unable to meet the demand, even
at rate to prevent actual suffering If the
present cold snap continues. Under the
circumstances something must be done to
secure for Washington at least enough coal
to tide over immediate emergencies.
To this end the Commissioners, at the
suggestion of the Board OF Trade, have
acted wisely in the premises by appointing
a committee Of ten citizens, representing
the people Of Washington, to investigate
the situation with q view to breaking the
deadlock now deprivng the District of its
proper share of the coal produced. This
kommittee has been named equally from
1.-THE Board Of Trade and the Business Mems
Association, and stands for the community
in thoroughly representative manner. 1t
may be expected to act promptly and with
energy. The case demands that no time be
lost and that every possible means be en-
ployed to secure coal for the city.
Just why Washington is not getting its
proportonate share of fuel cannot now be
stated confidently. All northern cities seem
to have been supplied, at least to meet the
immediate demand. and Of the cities with
which The Star has placed itself in special
telegraphic communication, only Baltimore
is in the same plight as Washington. AS
proof that all the hard coal is not being
sent north to forestau the earlier and moro
severe winter there and to discount the
possibility of railroad snow blockade, the
case Of well-supplied Richmond may be
cited. Something is evidently wrong with
the transportation system, II not with the
coai-producing agencies.
1t is plain to everybody that not even If
the mines are run at their capacity through
out the winter can the full normal demand
be met. The winters burning of coal Is In
general terms equivalent to the production
OF the whole year. Thus the normal output
OF the mines during winter equals about
one-half of the consumption. 1t Is to be
feared that this year the normal output
will not be reached owing to the bad con-
dition Of the mines, in which case less than
half OF the demand be met. In any
case substitutes for anthracite must be
found in some measure. Perhaps, in view
OF the fact that many substitutes have al
ready been provided such as oil and gas
heaters and bituminous burners, the actual
demand will be better met than this pro-
portion would indicate. But in any case
there will be a shortage OF supply.
The problem therefore Is for the oper-
ators and railroads SO to distribute the coal
that Ao community will actually suffer To
TINS end there must be no discrimination in
favor of or against any particular city or
region. This is too important a matter to
be affected by corporation jealousies. 1t is
national affair. affecting millions of people,
and must be dealt with broadly, humanely,
and with the least possible regard for prof
its
Washington expects fair treatment, and If
possible will secure it. The community will
lrdorse whatever measures may be adopted
by the Commissioners or their committee
TO remove the difficulties now in the way of
proportionate supply or, falling such sue
cess. to ascertain where lies the blame for
the discrimination, and to take appropriate
action in reprisal