The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-13
Available Stock in City Yes terday Was Estimated
 at 5000 Tons
CAUSE GIVEN FOR
 UNUSUAL DEMAND
Seyier Explains How Railroads Are Handling Situation-Cars Appor- toned to Mines on Basis
 of Output

The coal shortage in the eastern sec ton of the city, particularly East Lake and Woodlawn. will be somewhat re- lieved today, according to the Jefferson County Fuel board, as arrangements were made with the Frisco railroad and several mines for the shipping of 10 or 15 cars yesterday. This coal will go only to retail dealers who have con tracts with the companies shipping the coal.
 A conservative estimate made by the board yesterday of the available stock of coal on the coal yards of Birmng- ham and Bessemer is 5000 tons. This large decrease in coal is due to the ex- treme cold wave and consequent de- mand.
 Secretary Duncan Of the fuel board stated yesterday that Sam F. Kennedy of Montgomery, head of the state fuel administration, had told Chairman Frank Fowlkes over long distance that the coal shortage was more acute in Eu- faula, Annston, Montgomery and vari- ous other towns in Alabama than it was in Birmingham, and all cities were asking for relief
 The situation is due largely to the fact that the people who usually buy their winter supply of coal in summer failed to do so the past summer as they were waiting for the government to fix the price, and are now forced to buy one ton at a time. The people of this district are urged to be patient and not particular as to the quality of coal they wish to purchase. Attention is called to the fact that the government is ex porting large quantities of coal to the allies, the intuition factories are oper- ating night and day, the railroads are using more coal than ever and the trans portation systems of the country must keep going.
 Both the operators and the railroads state they are doing everything possible under the circumstances, large number of operators have the coal out but are unable to get cars and the railroads are hampered. by government rules. There has been some complaint about the Frisco railroad but this road, it is stated, can only ship coal in the cars of the system. If cars of any other road are used, there is trouble on that score.
 Daily meetings are being held by the fuel board, and every effort is being made to give relief to the coal dealers and residents. and a sufficient amount IS expected to arrive within. the next few days to fill present orders.
 When asked last night what steps were being taken by the railroads to meet the emergency, L. Sevier general agent of the Southern, said:
 'I can only speak for the interests
 that I represent. Our efforts are
 directed in the distribution of coal
 car equipment to apportionment
 among the mines on basis of their
 tA
 is that to mines furnishing this com
 pany fuel coal, which we give pref
 erence to, as we are legally author
 ized to do; as without coal for use
 of our locomotives. we could not haul
 coal for others Coal cars in excess
 Of our company coal requirements,
 the mines are privileged to load and
 ship to such consignees and destina-
 tions as they would care to, to
 points on and east of the Mississippi
 river and south of the Ohio and Pc
 tomac rivers''