Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-21
BIG SHORTAGE
IN COAL in
NORTH DAKOTA.
Dean Babcock Says There is
not More Than 80 Per Cent
! Of Anthracite Needed.
Urges People to Put in Sup
ply for at Least Month
Pending Price Adjustment

1.-THE most serious problem con-
fronting the State Council for Nation
al Defense, and the most serious prob
lem facing the northwest at the pres
ent time is that of providing coal for
this winters use," said Dean e. j.
Babcock, Of the State Council of Ma
tional Defense who, upon his return
yesterday from the meeting of the
executive committee of that, body in
Bismarck, when interviewed as to the
present outlook in the coal situation.
Dean Babcock, in whose hands as
chairman of the committee engaged in
this work, much data has been placed,
stated, that the coal situation still is
serious, and especially SO for the peo-
pie in the eastern part of h state.
Dean Babcock said:
\ 1.-The matter of the coal supply for
North Dakota and the northwest has
been taken up vigorously since June,
crease the shipment Of coal into the
state, and to advise people as to the
Importance of providing for..at least
part of their coal supply early.
II have been in communication to
this end with the authorities at Wash
ington, as for example the chairman
of the national committee on fuels,
I1OWdIu cll1OIL, CIldlIlIld1k VI Ill0 ia
tional transportation committee,
Judge Lovett, priority director, and
others, and although a great deal Of
attention has been given to this mat
ter, especially by Howard Elliott who
has worked unceasinglytto help meet
the fuel needs Of the northwest, there
is still a considerable shortage of
coal. This shortage Is especially ap-
parent at the west lake terminals. It
DO n ~yrAatS1r - rrrI, - r. kH{nE = -
can be. overcome even by the opera
ton of the priority act before lake
transportation ceases
Some Improvement.
Some improvement has been made,
nous coal, but there still is a marked
shortage Of distribution'of anthracite,
especially in North Dakota. From a
vast amount of data gathered it is
found that there Is not more than 25
or 80 per cent of the total fuel re-
quired this winter in the hands Of the
dealers and consumers in the state.
There has been an increase In the
total production of probably from. 15
sorbed in filling up the distribution
shortage left last spring and providing
the large mount of additional fuel
required especially in the steel and
iron industries, and also to meet a
considerable demand from outside the
country, a considerable portion of
which has been shipped to Canadian
ports.
More Ignite Used.
I'm the month of August there was
a total increase of approximately 40
per sent of Ignite shipments over
that of last year., showing, clearly the
necessity of the wider use, of Ignite
in certain regions. The wider use Of
Ignite has been urged by Howard
Elliott. constantly.
coal prices has caused many consurn-
ers to tend to delay placing their Or
ders. It is uncertain as to Just when
the Anal adjustment Of the prices will
be made, and what they will be, but
under the present conditions it is i'm
perative that, all consumers provide
themselves at once with sufficient coal
Tor at least a month or six weeks
While adjustments are being madeA,d
while increased shipments If possible
can be brought In. If this is done grad
ually 1t is hoped that the serious situa-
ton which faces the northwest ma
be overcome"
Dean Babcock, who Is the eminen,
authority on all questions pertaining
10 coal In this state, declared that the
ABOVE statements were the result OF
his observations from hundreds Of in.
Quiries which have been answered b,
consumers in the state, and from hi,
constant, connection with the govern.
Iment authorities in the east, and tina,
these deductions are made from th,
enormous amount of data accumuIat.
ing in this way.