Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-30
By q Stor Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May so.

NASlll4NNI lN.Nt May oV'
IIclp.
Cooperate
Get together.
Aid the nation.
These slogans were passed along today to
the coal operators and the hundreds or
thousands of men who toll underground IN
the State OF Pennsylvania.
Members of the Committee on Coal Pro.
duction, an advisory board Of the Council
Of National Defense, through the EVENING
LEDGER, send one great big word to the
mining industry Of Pennsylvania. That
word is MOBILIZE
THE country is confronted with a great
emergency in connection with the prosecu-
ton Of the war" said n member Of the coal
Production Committee today.
CONSERVATION NECESSARY
The committees statement follows
Notwithstanding the increased produc-
ton of coal from virtually every district,
the increasing requirements to meet the
needs of all classes of industry, as well as
for the comfort and welfare of the people
and the TRANSPORTATION of troops. munitions,
food and other products together with the
supplying of our allies and for our national
proteCtion-all these demands are liable TO
surpass the capacity Of our mines unless the
full cooperation Of the mining, trans
porting and distributing agents of this
country Is secured. This emergency re-
quires not only the deN elopment of the high
est etllClenCy, eSpCtlilly on account OF Il
diminished supply of labor used in the pro-
duction of coal but also in more comprehen-
sive methods of cooperation by the coal
producers with the transporting and dis
tributing agencies, so that not only full
production will be secured but also that this
production finds its way over our railroads
into those centers where the most urgent
need exists
IF the demand for this product continues
to increase IT may be necessary that active
steps be taken to Conflnc so far as possible
the distribution and use Of II TO those ac-
tivities which are more easily vital to the
welfare and protection of the nation. That
this may not affect an unnecessary hardship
upon the domestic welfare OF our people it is
necessary to promote the closest co-opera-
tion, and because of the duty laid upon us to
promote this welfare we urge upon you that
you cooperate with this committee in its
efforts TO promote the largest production,
the most equitable distribution, and the
highest use to produce the best economic
results. No doubt an emergency exists, but
it is the belief Of this committee that with
your hearty support and the assistance o,
the public In conserving supply, sufficient
| fuel can be had to meet public necessity.
PATRIOTISM IN THE MINES
I'VE believe that the first essential toward
an increased production of coal is a close
cooperation between mine employer and
mine employe. and inasmuch az the United
Mine Workers of America and the mine
operators in several districts have already
pledged by joint resolutions to the Council
of National Defense, under whom this COM
mittee works, and have nominated COM
mittees, the services Of which have been
offered to the Council of National Defense
to this end, we now call upon the several
committees TO use their best and continued
efforts to increase, in so far as they are
able, the production Of coal for the public
| necessities by keeping the mines continu-
ously at work, avoiding labor disputes and
| unnecessary shutdowns.
THE operation of well-esta blshed mines
should not be impeded and we suggest and
urge that the practice of moving miners
from the mines of well-establshed produc-
ing companies or communities to other dis
triCts be discouraged as this practice ere
ates a state of unrest and tends to decrease
the total output of coal, interfering with the
stability Of the industry which is necessary
for the highest efficiency. An effort should
be made TO instill In the mind of the in
dividual miner and operator. as well as the
organized body, the necessity of individual
effort and continuous performance so far as
work is offered.
"The miner or the companys representa-.
tive who remains at work renders as patri.
| otto service as the man at the front
THE total production of coal throughout
the country has been seriously curtailed by
difficulties i'm transportation service and un.
age in the number Of cars available for
| loading, as we'll as congestion in the avenues
| leading to the points Of distribution. We
urge upon the operators that they pledge
| themselves to load all cars obtainable in the
| shortest time after the same become avail.
able, and that they further take up and urge
| their customers TO release these cars at the
| earliest possible date after delivery so as tc
make them available for further use with.
| out unnecessary delay, and that all prac.
,,f, q.
reconsignment or other purposes be discon.
| tinued except when absolutely necessary
| for public welfare.
| TRANSFORMATION interests of this country
have, at the suggestion Of the Council OF
National Defense, formed a committee ap.
pointed by the Council, whose duty II is tC
| coordinate and promote the efficiency OF our
railroads and by agreement with the heads
| of the various railroad companies Of thi,
country the general policy OF their opera.
ton has been delegated into thei hands Il
is the purpose of the Committee on Goa
| Production to work in the closest harmony
with the Committee Of Transportation and
Communication.
We urge distributing interests, especially
| in the centers OF large population, In sc
| far as is possible to deliver coal to theil
customers along normal and ordinary line,
without creating unnecessary panic, We
urge in turn upon all such distributors thai
| conditions In such cities as may be bene
| fitted by closer cooperation OF all con
cerned I'm our effort TO supply all communi
lies with their requirements.
'If It is found that I'm any districts
surplus coal is obtainable at this time ovel
| and above the actual needs, II should b'
/ divided as equally as possible and stored II
the bins OF the ultimate consumer 80 thai
| the normal operation OF the Industry so far
/ as is possible may be continuous, which
will tend 10 prevent the necessary hard
ships which result from an unequal dis
ffibutiqn ,ok coal :