The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-10
The Question of Cheap Fuel

The Question of Cheap Fuel
 The industrial and commercial activity of the present century, every intelligent business man is now convinced, will cre- ate a very great demand for cheap fuel The markets of the world are to be opened to the nations of the world, and what ever may be said about domestic mo- nopolies. in the sense that they prevent competition, it is now regarded as eer- tain that the entire world is to see greater campaign of competition than has ever been known before. It will be international competition. Competition of this kind will be affected favorably by the Panama canal because the naviga- tion of the canal will greatly shorten the distance. One of the best informed au- thorities upon mining conditions in West Virginia, former Governor MacCorkle, recently said that it is vital. if the Amer fcan foreign coal trade is to be adequately developed, that there be provided ample coaling stations in which American coal will be stored for the ships of the world. Ultimately, too, the United States must control the ships themselves if this coun- try is to secure return cargoes. MT. Seward recently said that if the advan- tages to the United States which the opening of the Panama canal is to make available are realized. then it is necessary that there be established coalng sta tons in many places. How vital stations of that kind are was demonstrated by the requirements of our navy at the time of our war with Spain. These coaiing stations can be supplied at low cost with the products of the West Virginia mines.
 A Political Feature
 Limitations have come to this city from Washington that one of the reasons why a policy of procra situation involving pa tianf wnfPbin0 NpyiPp and r else has been adopted is because the ad- ministration at Washington thoroughly realizes how important to the United States from the military. the strategic and the national point of view the comple- ton of the Panama canal is to be. Pre- sumably before the close of this year it will be possible to send American war ships through the canal. That will make the mobilization of our entire navy con venient and speedy, so that our naval force can be utilized, if there should be need of it, upon our Pacific coast The suspicion is strong that Huerta is count ing upon moral and to some extent visi- ble support from Japan. The recent mili tary endorsements at Hawaii seem to justify the impression that the govern- ment suspects that Huerta looks to Ja- pan for succor It may by and by be the part of prudence to concentrate much the greater part of our navy upon the Pacific coast. That will be possible speedily to accomplish after the Panama canal is open to navigation.
 Those who have received intimations of this kind are principally bankers and men of finance. Yet in conversation with these men it is difficult to judge whether they are speaking upon good authority or whether their views are based upon vague, informal and entirely unidentified sources. They do, however seem to be convinced that after the Panama canal is open to navigation the country will realize why the policy of patient watching has been maintained so long.