Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-15
100000 TONS SHORT
IN YEARS COAL OUTPUT
N~onessential Industries to BE De.
MED Supply II War Plants
Are Endangered.
MUNITIoN MAKERS USE MORE
Production Increases SO, o o 0, 900
Tons, but Increased Consumption
Is Observation-Disclosures When War
Industry Is Embarrassed.
fBy Associated Press.I

ID AbSOCl8leu lTeSS.l
WASHINGTON, November 1.-THE
1917 coal shortage is put at &c. 900, 900
tons in estimates completed to-day by
the fuel administration. Although
production Of bituminous and anthra-
cite together has jumped so. 900, 900 tons.
consumption. 1t is declared. has in
creased at least 100. 900. 900 tons.
Immediate measures to meet the sit.
uation planned by Fuel Administrator
GARFIELD include curta ilmcnt Of ship
ments to nonessential industries.
priority orders designed to increase the
car supply and a campaign for coal
conservation in manufacturing cstab.
nshmcnts and households.
Previous statements from the fuel
administration had indicated the belief
that the increased production might
meet the enlarged demand. Munition
plants. however. are said tn be using
fully so per cent more coal than hey
used q year ago. and other lines of
industry. stimulated by war conditions.
are demanding nearly as large an in
crease in their supplies.
The fuel administration ia deter
mined" said DR.. Garfield to-day. tina,
war industries. public utilities and do
mestic consumers shall be supplied.
TO this end the fuel administration
expects the cooperation of every coal
user in the country. The fuel admin
istration Will use all OF its authority
to prevent the waste of fuel and the
unnecessary use II coal. Domestic
users viii be urged to conserve their
supplies.
SAYS WAR NEEDS WILL DE
CONSIDERED ABOVE ALL ELSE
Wherever the Unnecessary use OF
coal In industry threatens to embarra..
war industry the fuel administration
VIII see that the war needs are filled.
All activities which are Unnecessary
TO the maintenance OF the military or
economic efficiency will have 70 Give
way by curtailment to the necessities
of war. and this must be accomplished
without undue curtailment of the do
nestle supply.
This policy is expected to relieve
not only the demand for coal. but a
part of the enormous pressure on the
transportation facilities Of tho coun-
try
DR.. Garfield illustrated the increased
demand for coal by pointing to the re-
Nuirements Of the Bethlehem Steel
Company. which Is consuming this.
year 100000 tons moro than 1t took
in 1916. The demands OF the govern
ment. including the requirements OF
the lighting forces OF the army and
jumped this year from 1000. 900
TO 100000 tons. The requirements OF
public utilities companies have in
creased about 33 per cent. Most OF
this increase was due to the increased
use OF power by munitIon plants.
Solution of the car shortage prob
lem. officials believe, will do as much
towards increasing the supply to meet
the demand as will curtailment of in
Gustry. although the best possible use
OF transportation facilities still would
leave the country many millions OF tens
short Of fuel. Curtailment therefore
will be enforced to the point where
consumption and production are bal
anced.