Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-14


could carry it out and probably at the end
Of the season return him his money, or at
least 80 per cent of il. But at present am
short one philanthropist.
I must now consider another phase of tho
sltuaton--the citizens of Philadelphia might
as well understand now at any other time
that this country is at war. At present they
seem TO have very little idea beyond giving
money and labor and singing the star
Spangled Banner"
The coal situation cannot materially inn
provo during the war, and for wise rea-
sons. The normal number of miners in the
anthracite coal fields is 10000; II Is now
10000: and to their credit be 1t said the
10000 have produced more coal in 1917 than
the 10000 did in 1916. We cannot hope to
Increase this number.
The Drain on the Supply
Now, think of the drain on coal. II must
be shipped abroad it must be used to heat
the cantonments and for various other Cow
ernment uses, first of all. There is enough
anthracite coal in the ground to last 1000
years, but with labor Conditions as they are
only certain amount can be got out of
the ground, and If it could be got out the
supply would be insufficient to handle it.
What, then. is to be done? The answer is
obvious: Conserve what we have. The other
day ordered man to walk two or three
blocks in West Philadelphia and examine the
ashcans which were left out for the aslhman
The result was interesting In many there was
nothing but ashes. The furnaces had been
properly attended to and combustion was
complete. In many more large pieces Of per-
fectly good coal were found, showing that
the householder paid no attention to his fur
mace.
Philadelphia has wasted is wasting its coal
Again. hotels, apartment houses. office build
ings and private residences are overheated.
The fuel administration Mt Washington has
fixed 6S degrees as a proper temperature and
means will have to be taken to stop this waste
of fuel. grant that in some cases Of illness or
old age a higher temperature may be neces-
sary; but these are exceptional cases and
can always be met by gas or oil stove
People will have to dress more warmly. OF
course II persons in their homes persist In
dressing in January in clothing suitable for
July they will feel cold at a temperature of
68 but then there is no necessity for dress
ing in any such way. Wear clothes suitable
to the season.
Wartime Conservation
Again we must remember that we are at
war and that coal must be conserved. and
venture to predict (not officially) that II
buildings this winter continue to be abb
normally heated in spite of warnings the
owners may experience some difficulty in
| getting a supply of coal in 1918.
II this war goes on. and there seems every
| prospect that 1t will. it Is inevitable tina,
| sharp action will have to be taken to cut
| off many things that are thought to be neces
| sltleS Dul III TedlltS are pure luxurteS. A
| few days ago coal dealers were instructed
| not to sell coal for private garages. This
| was thought to be very hard. private
| garage is a pure luxury. and surely thou
| sands of homes in Philadelphia cannot bs
| left cold i'm order to warm automobiles.
| My object In writing this article at the
| request of the EVENING PUBLIC LEDGER has
| been to explain the situation, to answer a
| number of questions that are CONSTANT,
| being addressed to me and to make susges.
| tions as to how people can help to better
| conditions. l have no wish to alarm any
| one-panic will not bring another pound Of
| coal into the city. Nothing Is gained by ex
| ctement. But 1 do want to impress upor
| my fellow citizens the gravity Of the Goa
situation and to ask their help in dealing
| with It,
can assure them that no stone Is beinI
| left unturned by the fuel administration
| here. But unless the citizens themselves ar,
willing to aid. at least In the direction o.
stopping waste and getting along with a
little fuel as possible. the task becomes mucl
| more difficult, and 1t will only lead to drasti
| rules and regulations which no one want
| to resort to and which can SO easily b.
avoided by an exhibition Of patriotism
coupled with patience and culinary hors
- &c., stfff. ~ q :, W. n. ar a n