The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-20

that the mines in the southern ILL.,
nois district closed today because the
men walked out. On the heels OF this
news was q report from Indiana say
ing that mines in the Clinton and
Terre Haute districts were also clos
ing because of the strikes spread.
Another complication arose today
when it developed that operators in the
Cumberland valley district are having
trouble with their miners. These men.
who are not union members, have been
holding meetings with & view ITO get !.
ting higher wages. That the fuel ad-
ministration realizes the danger of
strikes in this region was indicated by
the dispatching of William Diamond
of Mr.. Whites Office, to Cumberland.
He will get together with the leaders
of the miners and try to hold them In
! line until decision on coal prices and
miners wages can be reached.
To Curtnii Exports to Canada.
DR.. Garfield was busy today adjust
ing other serious coal problems only
slightly less important than the strikes.
He win issue rules In a few days de-
signed to keep down the expectation of
coal to Canada. Special permits will
be given TO shippers who send coal
across the border. after they have de-
scribed their orders and supplies. Cam
ada is to be limited to an amount not
20 exceed 10 per cent above last years
supply. the figure being set arbitrarily
| because this years total coal supply 10
expected to be 10 per cent over last
years. Only shippers who sent coal to
Canada last year will be able to get
permits.
Another step was taken toward sup.
plying Hhe railroads. DR.. Garfield feel.
ing that they cannot be expected to
move coal to the country's industries
Unless they nrst receive an adequate
supply themselves. He issued the fol
lowing statement:
THE fuel administration Is giving
immediate consideration to the prob
lem of distribution. The program i-
briefly as follows:
"'2. To provide an adequate and
regular supply OF coal to the rail-
roads. which Is indicated by the order
issued in connection with fuel supply
of the Pennsylvania railroad. which
has been extended ii include the
Baltimore and Ohio railway. and will
shortly be applied to other roads.
This will avoid the necessity as is now
the practice. OF holding several thou
sand cars of coal under load, for
/ fuel purposes. IT will also eliminate
the necessity of transporting coal
from one district to another, which
will result In a saving bothin cars
and motive power. Of which the rail-
roads are short IT wiz further avoid
conhscation Of coal which has been
necessary in Some instances In order
to provide the railroad with SUFFICIENT
fuel.
$50. When the regular supply OF
fuel has been accomplished we ex-
pee. to issue rule combining coal cars
to the coal trade with such exceptions
as are proven necessary and to com.
pei the return of empty coal cars to
the originating line.
Prefcncc to Food ana Fuel
80. The matter Of preference in
movement of coal cars both loaded
and empty over other slow freight is
receiving consideration and It win un
doubtedly be necessary to issue a rule
at an early date that such preference
be given to movement of food and
fuel. The situation today Ia the rail-
roads are coneested and are unable
to move to the market the coal which
is offered them for transportation
This us due to the enormous amount
Of freight which they are called on
to handle. We believe the program
thus briefly outlined, when put into
effect. will result in an increased car
supply to the mines, and will accom-
piish an increased production sum
cient for the requirements
DR.. GARFIELD had nothing to say
about reported coal famiffet in ChIcn
go End elsewhere. He said the fuel
administration would take steps to
meet cry condition reported BY the
state fuel administrator