The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-10-12
COAL FAMINE THREATENS U.S.
OWING To INCREASED DEMAND

,hhc ten per cent by which production
has increased To meet this dcrnandd
the operators have been mining coal at
IL rate never before equalled.
The Shortage.
Tho shortage is not due 10 the fall
urc Of tho soft coal mines 10 produce
more coal than in the past. for the
country on September l. was about
month ahead Of last year in output and
is expected 10 finish the year with an
increase Of ten per cent over 1916. the
banner year and IS per cent over lOl5.
In the second week of July. 1917.
the average dali; productions was more
than l.9nn. 600 tons The highest point
Yet attained; In the middle Of August
the lowest rate Tor the summer. l.
G3$.n00 tons. WAS recorded; and In the
last "f September. the daily rate was
l.S@3.000 tons"
SertouG In Ohio.
serious coal shortage exists in Ohio
fuel administration officials were today
told by n delegation or consumers head
ed by Attorney General Joseph Nc
Giiee. who came to Washington 10 pro-
test against lifting the embargo on coal
shipments to Canada. or 200 towns In
the stuae reporting. more than 100. the
delegation declared. are entirely with
out coal and are unable to obtain sup
plies because virtually nil coal mined
in the state is going through lake ports
10 the northwest and to Canada.
The people Of the state. spokesman for
the delegation said. are suffering and
cannot wait until the northwest is sup
piled under the fuel administration pri-
GRITTY order before laying in winter
stocks. Mayors of some towns have
~ -
lakes and have apportioned It among the
inhabitants.
Roller Assured
Dr. Garfield tonight telcgraphed all
Ohio coal operators. requesting them 10
furnish sufficient fuel To meet the erner-
Enncy. Producers are called upon to pro-
vide coal In quantities directed by tho
ohio coal clearing house. affiliated with
the state defense council. for diStrhu-
lion to consumers. This step or the fuel
administration. II is believed. promptly
will relieve tho shortage.
We have been advised Of shortage Of
coal in Ohio" read the telegram. Pend
ing appointment OF state fuel adminis-
TRAITOR, the Ohio coal clearing house Of
council Of national defense will advise
you at once extent or immediate needs.
The fuel administration requests you 10
arrange to supply Immediately sufficient
coal for emergency requirements. as he
Qucsted by the Ohio clearing house.
The fuel administrations first move
toward n general apportionment OF coal
was made today IN an order directing
that mines along the Pennsylvania rail-
road system supply under pro rata plan
all the conl the road needs. Later other
roads will bc supplied in the same fash
ion and the final intention Is 10 distribute
coal among domestic uscrs and Indus
tries where 1t is most essential.
Prices Raised.
Coal prices In somc districts Of Ten
n"sSec Kentucky and Virginia were
raised today ny tho fuel administration
after It was shown operators could not
mine coal at a profit at the prices fixed
recently.
In Virginia prices In som. districts
arc raised from So to $40 for run OF
mine coal.
In Eastern Tennessee run Of mine
prices in five counties are raised from
s230 To $40.
In kentucky prices In several DISTRICTS
were raised from sl.95 10 $40 for run of
mine coal.
This was the first revision OF coal
rriCes which, when set. were announced
rs tentative. and follows representations
TO the fuel administration by both opcr-
ion was imperative to meet demands for
Increases in wages.
Region Affected.
The prices raised were put Mp to tho
same Lowell as the prices now charged in
Iclllco district. The territory en-
bracrd in the order includes:
In kcntucky-Thr counties Of Nc
Crenry. Pulaski. Rock Castle. Jackson.
Lee. WOLF. Morgan. Lawrence" Johnson.
Martin. whitley. Laurel. Clay. Owsl"y.
Knox Bell. Rrnathitt. Perry. Leslie. Har
ian. Magoffin. Boyd. Carter, Pike and all
of Floyd Knott and I.ctcher except cnnl
produced from the thick vein, Elkhorn
district.
IN Trnnesscr--The counties OF Scott.
Campbell Claiborne. Anderson. md Nor
gan.
In Nirginla--Mines operated near ST.
Charles Leo county by tn" Darby Coal
Mining Company. Rlack Mountain Min
inr Company. Virginia Leo Company. Old
virginia Coal Company. United Iollicri"s
COMPANY. Inc. and the Benedict Coal
Corporation.
Tho conditions In the fields named "
said The announcement. "nre except ioHal
and 10 not affect III" prices heretofore
fixed by the president in the principal
hiInminnus folds. If upon completion
If Investigations now h"iuC mad" of
nrrraIurs' rns'S in tho fields affected.
il is fourfi That these changes are not
justified further notifications will be
made ut once"