Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-11
COAL SHORTAGE PUTS
STRAIN ON U. G. |.
Pressed to Meet Demand for
Its Product During the
Cold Wave
MUCH GAS USED AS FUEL
so, ,2S0, 900 Cubic Feet Consumed Be-
tween A. M. and 10 P. NJ.
Last Wednesday

The shortage of coal in Philadelphia
has placed a strain upon the United
Gas Improvement Company. which has
been hard pressed TO meet its needs
This was announced today by Samuel
T. Bodine, president Of the company.
He said. however. tha. the company
has been able to get enough coal and has
been able to speed up manufacture suf-
flciertly TO weather the present coal spell
unless Unforeseen difficulties arise. and
that the people can depend upon the sup
ply under those conditions. Mr.. Bodine
indicated that virtually every resource
Of the company has gone into the present
crisis and that the people should mage
every effor. TO keep. from ovcrstepplng
the limit.
I'VE manufa ctured $4,000, 600 cubic
feet Of gas during the twenty-four hours
ending at 6 o'clock last nlght." he said,
'by far the greatest amount we have
manufactured In similar period. a
great part of this was used.
The biggest consumption In single
day on our records was that of 50,2SO..
00e cubic feet from O'Clock in the
morning TO 10 O'Clock at night on We'd
nesday. December 5. This demand was
due to the shortage OF coal"
Mr. Bodinc said the company has been
able TO get sufficient coal TO meet its
demands OF manufacture, hut intimated
that an increase in the demand to much
greater proportions than the present
might even overtax its supply He i'm
piled Tat the coinpauy's manuisot ..iug
facilities would probably stand The
strain of nm increased demand.
The increase in the consuulp,icG vas
almost entirely due ia the use of gas
for heating the homes Of the city Many
persons had TO depend entirely upon gas
for heat while others heated some rooms
with a rneaErc allotment Of coal and
others with gas. There was naturally
some increase in tho use Of gas for
cooking. due to the fact that many per-
sons did not even have coal for their
ranges. Many persons burneds their gas
lights IN order to bring down temper
atures.
The Y. G. I. and the department stores
have sold thousands Of gas heating
stoves, but In many cases have not had
men to send out to connect them in the
homes. This condition. however. has
been gradually met by the gas company.
The Pennsylvania Railroad reports to-
day TO the local fuel administrator the
, arrival IN Philadelphia coal yards of l79
cars of anthracite coal. OF which l04
are domestic sizes and 75 steam sizes.
Coal dealers are today confronted by
a scarcity of drivers and many people
are carrying their own coal home.
Numerous complaints have been re-
/ ccived by Chairman Francis n. Lewis
Of the local COMMITTEES. from West Phil
adclphia dealers who complain that the
higher wages offered at Hog Island are
, attracting many Of the drivers.
! None of the drivers receive 4 wage II
excess Of $40. it was learned today. bu
under a bonus system OF twenty-fiv,
cents per ton for all tons over ten de
! livered daily. IL is possible for drivers e
make as high as s22 per Week. Th,
! American International Shipbuildins
I Company at Hog Island Is offering th'
men s2s per week.
/ The question as 70 whether coal drlv
ers under the present situation may no
he classed as engaged in Government
worl, may he brought mp by Mr.. Levi
with Washington officials. should sucl
a classification be given coal drivers
he declared. Hog Island would not b.
pr,mitted 70 draw upon them for ship
building purposes.
That Mr.. Lewis considers coal driver'
as Government employees in the presen
| situation is evident from seven warning
issued TO saloonlleepers today prohibit
ing them from selling the men intoxlcat
ing liquor.
Many dealers are disconnecting thei
telephones today because Of the numer
Gus calls made for coal which cannot b
ordered by phone and which only tent
| to delay work. The dealers are adherini
vigorously to the use OF the white cards
| which compel the consumer to mako mp
! plication for coal In person.