Evening journal., 1917-11-16
SHORTAGE IN COAL
IS 100000 TONS
Use of Hundred Millions
More, Offsets Increase
in Output
GARFIELD FINDS WAR
DEMANDS ARE HEAVY

WASHINGTON, Nov i6.-The coal
shortage in the United states with war
industries operated on the nresent IA
sis Is approximately 5OOO0O00 TONS
fear, and that amount must ne nro-
rided by additional production fhe cur-
'ailmeut OF non-essentlal manufactures
and reduced consumpiion in the homes
{ the nation is TO do its full dufv Tbe
estimate IS based on the current calen-
far year
statement to that effect has been
made public by Fl, A. Garfield. Fuel
Administrator, as a warning that radi-
cal steps might be found necessary. He
Emphasized that the plants providing
munitions and other necessities must
be Kept running at top capacity at all
costs.
In discussing the car shortage DR.
GARFIELD said that every effort was be-
ing made to map out a program which
would give the greatest efficiency. Coal
operators have stated that the lack Of
cars was the greatest impediment to in
creased output. The curtailment OF the
non-essential Industries, it Is believed.
VIII help to relieve this condition, as
well as clear the roads for the carrying
Of the output Of the ewar factories.
The labor situation was more favor
able today than at almost any other
time since DR.. Garleld took hold as
Fuel Administrator, and AS q result OF
President Wilson's address to the work
men in Buffalo Il is felt that the worst
danger Of serious complications in that
direction Is over.
The facts as set forth today by Or.
Garfield were In sense, Il was pointed
out, an appeal to labor as well as 10
industries and householders for thor
ough cooperation. His statement fol-
lows:
a survey Of the entire coal situation
completed by the Fuel Administration
today demonstrates that the war needs
u the nation for fuel have developed
10 a point where the demand threatens
TO outstrip the supply. Through the
efforts Of the Fuel Administration and
other agencies the annual output OF
coal hNs been increased by approx
mately 50000,OO0 tons. But the con-
sumption Of coal II is estimated, IS in
creased by approximately iOO,OO0OOO
ions, leaving a gap Of 5OOOO,OOO tons TO
be brldged
Practically the entire increase in coal
consumption is due 10 the necessities OF
war Munitions plants, running twen-
ty-four hours a day at full capacity,
with continuous demands from the gov
ernment for increased production. are
using from 80 i-3 to 30 per cent. more
coal than they were a year ago. For
instance. the Bethlehem Steel Company
demands an increased coal supply OF
approximately 10000 tons a month, or
100000 tons a year.
"The direct demands Of the Govern
ment for coal, including the require
ments for the actual fighting forces Of
the army and navy, have increased by
700 per cent. Where 100000 tons sup.
piled the Government under normal con.
dltlons. the demand IS now 100000.
THE coal demands Of public utilities
plants, particularly IN the industrial
sections of the country. have increased
by about 36 i-3 per cent. Practically al
Of this increase is due to increased
power furnished 70 munitions plants
and TO other war industries.
ITO close up the gap Of 50,0O0,000 toni
between the production and consump.
tlon Of coal the Fuel Administration
Will take steps to increase production
facilitate transportation and enforce ths
most economical use Of the available
coal supply. The Fuel Administration
Is determined that war industries, pub