Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-19
PATIENCE, NOT PANIC, IN
COAL CRISIS

TNHE coal question has been wcrrisome,
but. after all, a bit academic to most
persons. 1t was a problem to be solved
by political economists: serious problem
to be sure. but one easily shouldered of
on statesmen during the agreeable sum-
mer weather. With the geniality Of fall
in this climate Of course. the problem
Gould hardly become more urgent for
solution. The chill in the air that por-
tends winter is taking the matter out of
the abstract class into the concrete. 1t
may take the first SHOWS to ing a realiz-
ing sense of crisis
The fuel administration. both national
and local, has done marvellous work In
organizing a mode of operation out of the
chaos of an unstandardized business. and
one in which the charges were made all
the tratiic could bear with supreme dis.
regard for the ultimate consumer.
Abuses have been e.lded, errors have b,en
rectihed. profiteering has been subjected
families have not been able 70 lay in their
normal stock Of coal and that coal Is
being parceled out in tons or half tons
in this city, when it can be delivered at
all, show that Philadelphia is due for
hard winter unless definite measures are
taken to relieve the emergency.
The very poor will suffer most. They
always do. But their ranks will be en-.
Iarged by householders In moderate Cir.
cumstances unable to lay in their regular
fuel supply owing to the universal grip
Of excessive living costs Even the we'll
to-do this year are unable to translate
their money into terms of anthracite.
whis is the situation. 1t is not due to
the fact of a coal famine. The mines are
free of labor troubles More coal is being
taken out than for many seasons. More
coal is demanded for extraordinary pur-
poses, such as munitions, shpbulding
and other wdr work, than ever before, it
and individual economies should make
the supply sufficient unto the winter and
enough for all.
Philadelphia will not repeat the dis
tressing experiences of the great coal
strike of 1901 If immediate measures are
devised for a systematic transportation
Of coal to the city and for equitable dis
tribution when 1t comes. The crux Of the
question is one Of transportation am dis
4 tribution. Authority for correction and
control is vested N the fuel administra-
tion. The public must be patient. must
not become panicstricken at the realiza.
tion of scarcity. made very concrete these
cold mornings. Excitement and clamor
are not constructive forces.
The Government will not permit ex-
cessive boarding by those able to buy.
1t will not permit "gouging' through
undue profits. either by railroads, opera
tors or dealers Already the Philadelphia
coal committee has made mandatory the
supply of coal for home. in which there
u sickness. on the warrant of physi.
clans certificate. Plans to standardize
the bucket trade, both in quantity given
Z and rate. have been completed by the
municipal Bureau of Weights and Meas.
ures. thus insuring fair treatment of
those least able to buy in bulk and least
able to stand extortion on their small
Incomes.
Our people are bit too prone to be
like the care'free grasshopper and too
little like the thrifty ant in Aesop's fable
1t has taken many persons long time to
realize that winter is coming. an abnor
: NAL war winter. For earlier omission
later thinking must be intensive and con,
ccntrated on tolerant acceptance of the
best that can be done in crisis. Nothing
win be gained by panic.