The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-10-01
BUY COAL NOW,
ADVICE OF CALVIN

e. e. Calvin, president of the
Union Pacific railroad, accompanied
by various other officials of the
system, as well as of the Short
Line, with some local officials, was
in town for a short time this morn
ing, and left Immediately for the
west end of the division, a thoro
trip of inspection of the Short Line
being under way
In talking over things generally
Mr.. Calvin was of the opinion that
delay on the part of tht consumer to
store coal for winter use in the be-
lief that retail prices will be lowered
by the fuel commission is materially
aggravating the coal situation thru
out the country, and he said:
''The fuel situation this year is
of an extremely critical character"
Mr.. Calvin said yesterday, land only
unusually favorable weather condi-
lions or heroic efforts on the. part
of producers and transportation
companies will avert serious inter-
ruptions to the industries of the
country and untold hardships in
many homes this winter. In fact
I am not sure that the efforts Of
the carriers and the producers will
be of any avail.
The announcement from Wash
ington sources that retail prices of
coal would be lowered by the fuel
administration came at most in
opportune time. Prior to that there
seemed to be concerted movement
to store coal for winter use, but
since the announcement was made
the storage movement has dimin-
ished considerably. The result Is
that good portion of the ideal
storage season has been wasted.
With the first cold days there will
be a general rush to the coal offices
regardless of price, and the indica-
lions are that the coal supplies will
be scarcely more than adequate to
care for immediate needs. The
mines will operate under the usual
cold weather handicaps, as will the
transportation companies. In adj
dition, the already heavy traffic of
the railroads will be augmented by
the enormous movements of troops
and military supplies.
1.-THE enactment of a law, such
as now is under consideration by
congress, making aliens subject to
military service, would work great
hardship on the mining industry of
the country, fear. In practically
every section of the county large
percentage Of the miners are of alien
birth If such a law were enacted
and strictly enforced, the labor sup
ply peculiar to the mining industry
would be diminished to a marked
degree. | do not wish to question
the merit of such law, but merely
desire to point out it's possible re-
suit, not only on the fuel supply, but
the metal supply as well.
'"The condition is not applicable
to Utah alone; it is prevalent thru
out the country. Mines in all Sec
lions of the country are straining
every effort for capacity output, but
this is impossible because of labor
conditions. The mines of the Union
Pacific could produce 80 per cent
more coal if labor was available, and
the same condition prevails thruout
the country. The fuel demand this
winter is going to be much greater
than ever before in this country and
the OUTPUT, in all probability, will
be but little, if any, in excess of nor
NAL
''The case of the Union Pacific
railroad is typical. Because of the
increased demand for fuel and the
shortage of labor we have purchased
more than 100000 tons of coal SO
far this year from mines east of the
Missouri river. This was to care for
our needs at the east end: our mines
have been unable to that extent to
care for our needs.
"Thre is a general shortage Of
equipment, but so far the shortage
has not reached the acute stage. Be-
cause of a better understanding of
each other and the existence of
spirit of cooperation between the
public, the government and the rail-
roads,, the railroads of the country
are moving much greater tonnage
than at this time year ago and
with practically the same equipment.
Shippers, as rule, have Joined most
heartily in the movement for prompt
loading and prompt release of equip
ment. Another item which has
figured extensively in the volume OF
traffic handled is the capacity load,
ing of equipment. In general the
relations between the railroads, the
public and the government are bet
ter than at any time during the past
quarter of century, and it is es-
sential that such a condition should
exist if the degree Of efficiency is
developed which is so necessary to
the successful conduct of American
war activities. "-Pocatello Tribune.