Evening journal., 1917-11-24
COAL PROBLE EN- IS
becoming ACUTE
Transportation Shortage at
It's Most Serious Point,
Washington Hears
EASTERN CENlERS
ARE SUFFERING

WAchlNGlDN, NOV. L4.-lne coal
situation has reached an acute stage
again and conferences are being held
In Washington daily between officials
of the Fuel Administration, railroad
men and coal operators in an effort to
flnd means Of relief. For the time be-
ing the labor problem seems to have
been met In an the bituminous fields,
but the transportation problem Is more
serious than at any time this fall, The
National Coal Association, composed OF
bituminous operators. gave warning
that street car lines, electric light
plants, gas works and some factories
might soon be compelled 20 shut down
for lack Of fuel.
Early in the week the Iransporta-
tion Committee Of this association went
! into conference with the members Of
the Railway War Board, and the two
4 groups We're sitting again yesterday.
seeking a means n supplying coal 10
/ Eastern consumers, both domestic and
industrial, without placing any cm-
barge upon other necessary war ship
/ menis. Another conference was IN
progress today at the fuel administra-
tion between Fuel Administrator Gar
field and his staff Hale Holden. presi-
dent Of the Chicego, Burlington and
] Quincy, and Howard Elliott. president
Of the New Haven Rsu~oad
Meanwhile. however most Of the Fast
eln industrial centres are suffering for
fuel. Producers are prepared 70 keep
all markets supplied but are without
lRdeduate cars This is particularly true
Of New England. the normal supply
for which has been greatly reduced by
the demand Of the government for more
than 100000 tons of West Virginia
high grade coal, larse part Of which
ordinarily would be delivered 90 New
! England consumers
In statement issued Yesterday The
National Coal Association points out
that this increased government con-
sumption Of West Virginia coal has
made it necessary for New England o.
turn 90 Maryland and Cellral Penn.
sylvanis fields for Hs fuel The mines
IN these fields, n IS added, could easll,
supply the tonnage required. were 4
not for the fact that the congested
transportation facilities on which the,
must depend have cut their production
TO alarmingly low figures FOR severa
: weeks
Eventual Government pooling .anl
sale Of an the coal mined In the Unite,
states was seen as a possibility I'm tn
Fuel Administrations approval Of
producers pool Just formed at Cleve
land. which will handle shipments n
b mines In Ohio. West Virginia, a par
b of PennsylvanH. and perhaps Tennes
see and Kentucky. Creation Of othe
J pools will be encouraged
] II government pooling Is put into Fl
, feet q will be made operative ne,
spring and VIII supersede the shipper
7 pools Under such an arrangement M
{ Government would requisition at th
D mines The entire output Of coal. sellin
10 without profit such a plan wa
suggested by the Federal Trade Con
: mission before the Government too
! control Of the coal industry. IT, hov
y ever. called not only for Governmer
eale Of coal under a pool, but a sys
: TEN Of paying producers on a COS
(, plus profit basis.
CLEVELAND. O.. Nov 2i-with thou
/; sands Of Cleveland families shiverin
I IN their homes owing 90 lack Of coal
/, and municipal and privately ownel
light plants threatened with the neces
sity Of closing down. this citys Goa
situation is the most acute in the his
tory Of the fuel trade, according "a cit
officials
/, state Fuel Administrator II II John
I son was in Washington conferring wit
u Federal Administrator Garfield In IN
hope of finding relief for ClevelsnC
# With the weather forecast predicting
L. far.~nrafrrwn 90 Hnarrnna hn1nar. rrnn4