The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-27
POOLING COAL
NECESSARY
DIR. Garfield Blames Short
age on War Con-
ditions
DIFFICULTIES OF
TRANSPORTATION
An Increased Amount Of
Fuel Has Been
Mined

Washington, Dec 27,-lnquiry into thu
coal shortage displaced the sugar lnves
tigation in the program of the Senate
manufactures committee yesterday, anC
Fuel Administrator Garfield was sum
moned as the first witness. The com
nittee plans TO take up the sugar prob
lem again Friday, and probably will al
low Food Administrator Hoover TO reply
to charges made by Claus A. Spreckels
president of the Federal Sugar Refining
company, that the sugar shortage was
caused by the food administration fixed
import price.
Dir. Garfield told the committee that 1T
The war continues very long the govern
ment will be compelled to pool coal and
sell IL at reasonable prices. Some coal
operators, he said, are making the great
est profits in their history, but he con
sidered high prices a stimulus to the
great production the war demands. The
fuel administrator said little relief is in
prospect for the congestion on railroads
until after their operation is centralized
DIR. Garfield said he does not want to
place blame for lack of transportation
on anyone, nor does he want to try to
shift blame that might be attached to
his administration He added that it is
impossible for the railroads to cope with
the situation.
Coal is responsible for one half the
congested traffic, and thousands of cars
are being backed up at bottle neck points
through which the railroads have endeav
ored to move large amounts" he said.
The only thing to do is Just what we
have done--asked Judge Lovett for
1rtnrtfxr I'd for anal ond 70 ANIMAL 70
operators to shoot whatever coal they
can to points where most needed. That
has helped in some respects.
Dr. Garfield mentioned Pittsburg, Gin
einnati and Toledo as examples OF bot
tle-neck" points, but said there are many |
others. Mines in eastern West Virginia |
are shipping west and those in the west.
ern part shipping east, causing conges
ton at meeting points. A change in
wolves great detail in changing contracts
which are not closed until next April
Unless conditions are improved | may
ahrogate these contracts and divert ship
ments to prevent congestion, Dr. Gar
field said.
Il think it wise plan" remarked SEN
ator Kenyon.
War demands for bituminous coal have
Heti Pfthltf ttHdH HliHts meet, III
though the increase of production this
year has been normal, DR. Garfield said
In an effort to alleviate conditions, he
said. the fuel administration is laying
emphasis on stimulating production
rather than regulating price. When the
operators complain that prices fixed by
the president are too low, we are inclined
to give them the benefit of the doubt, |
DR.. Garfield said.
Private consumers have felt the short
age because the government has come J
first in its demands, but that rule has )
been changed in the last few days, Dr.
fairfield said
we are giving it TO the people first
row." he said. with discontented
PEOPLE we could not make much progress y
n the war"
Conditions are much better now that
he severe cold wave has passed and
are being made for the flu
ure," he said. 81 can guarantee that
We have the situation well in hand" DR..
fairfield declared. p
Senator Kenyon asked the fuel admin
strator If he had information of divi
ends of some of the large operators and
e answered that he knew big profits
-ere being made. but believed them nee
ssary to stimulate production. Cues is
Toned further by Senator Kenyon, Dr. r
arfeld said his organization is composed m
+ about 20 persons, chief of whom are b.
engineering experts, lawyers. coal pro- W