New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-15
Coal Order Hits
Industries in the
Pittsburgh District
Government Control of
Shipments Is Blamed for
Shortage of Fuel
Pittsburgh, September IL.

t''oV' O'1 - 'N'N'
The fuel situation in the Pittsburgh
district, the centre Of the greatest
btuminous region in the country, is
acute. Producers ascribe existing con-
ditions largely to the order Of the gov
eminent requiring railroads to furnish
mines which ship to the lakes with 100
per cent car requirements. Unless this
order ia modified the situation will
grow worse before it improves over the
ensuing sixty days, or until lake nsyi-
CATION closes.
II is estimated that about 80 per cent
Of the coal produced here is sold on
contract to steam users and coke max
ers. The contract price is considerably
above the government price of 81 a
ton T. o. b. at mines. Large consumers,
however, are unable to obtain full con-
tract supplies, because producers are
unable to obtain transportation facili-
ties while the movement of coal 20 the
lakes is in progress. As consequence
industrial operations arc being cur
tailed This week an independent tube
mill located at Washington. Penn. is
reported TO have temporarily closed be-
cause Of inability 20 obtain coal, throw
ing about loo men into idleness. In
the Youngstown district il is reported
that mills are operating TO less than IS
per cent capacity for the same cause.
Power Service Reduced
Here in Pittsburgh the Duquesne
Light Company, one of the largest pub
lie utility concerns in the state. has
notified customers that il will be forced
to suspend full power service for GER
tain days Of the week. or certain hours
of the day, because of the fuel famine.
which prevents il from operating lis
plant TO capacity. The Duquesne Light
Company rs a subsidiary Of the Phila-
delphla Company, one Of the largest
suppliers Of natural gas in the country.
Natural gas Is luxury as fuel, and
apparently the Duquesne Light Com
pany cannot afford 10 use it instead of
coal, or possibly the expense for chang
ing from coal TO gas would De too
great. or The time for making such
change too short. For two weeks the
Duquesne company has been publicly
advertising for offers on 100000 tons
of coal at the government price, and
has been unable TO obtain ton.
Coal producers express the opinion
that if they had direct representation
on some of the boards which are d.
rectly controlling the industrial and
transportation affairs of the country
better results could be obtained At
the present time il is estimated shat
the Pittsburgh district is producing
less than 20 per cent of norma! coal
mine capacity, and much of the supply,
as stated, is being shipped to the North
west under government regulation.
Retail Trade Also Crippled
The retail trade is in nearly as bad
condition, Notwithstanding the fact that
the bulk of this trade is not dependent
upon rail sportation, but is brought
10 the city wharves Iy boat 1t is be-
leved that industries depending upon
rail delivery are absorbing more than
the usual amount Of river coal. which
accounts for the shortage in retail sup
plies. Furthermore, with high priced
contract coal in urgent demand. there
is less free" coal for sale, and pro-
ducers are afraid to sell coal above the
government price to necessitous retail
trade, which in some instances is bid.
ding much above 81 for supplies. The
trade is hoping for speedy modifica-
ton of the government orders for re-
lief, before the situation grows worse.