Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-26
Bituminous Mines Unable
to Fill Orders Despite
Greater Production.
PUB. : now TO
IT FIRST SERVICE
ale Has Been 10 Supply Government
First, But Coal Administration Now
Undertakes to Furnish Needs Of
Homo Consumsrs-coal Declared
Responsible fors Half the consssted
Transportation Of Country.

Washington. Dec. 26.-F'uel Admins
strator Garfield told the senate invests
eating committee todsy that If the war
continued very long the government
would be compelled to pool coal and
sell 1t at reasonable prices. Some coal
operators. he said. were making the
greatest profits in their history. but he
added that 1t was needed to stimulate
the great production the war demand
ed.
Assuming the war will last long
time, don't you think that pooling OF
coal should be done now?" Senator
Vardaman asked.
1T would be bad during the winter"
The situation couldn't be much
worse" said the senator.
The fuel administrators said he saw
little relief In prospect for the railways
until their operation was centralized.
Washington, Dec. 26.-War demands
for bituminous coal have been greater
than mines could meet. altho the In
crease OF production this year has been
normal. Fuel Administrators Garfield
testified today at the senate coal In
vestigation.
In an effort to alleviate conditions. he
said, the fuel administration was laying
emphasis on stimulating production
rather than regulating price.
when the operators complain that
prices nxed by the president are too
low, we are inclined to give them the
benefft OF the doubt" DR.. Garfield said.
Senator Kenyon. Of Iowa. asked the
fuel administrator II he had informa-
ton Of dividends OF some OF the large
operators and ne answered. that no
knew big profits were being made but
he believed them necessary to stimu-
late production.
Government Needs First Supplied.
Private consumers have felt the
shortage because the government has
come arst in its demands. but that
rule has been changed the last few
days.
I'VE are giving 1t first to the people"
DR.. Garfield said.
Conditions are much better now that
the severe cold wave has passed and
preparations are being made for the
future, he said.
ton well in hand" DR.. Garfield de-
clared.
Dr. Garfield said he did not want to
place blame for lack Of transportation
on any one nor did he want to shift
blame which might be attached to his
edm!n .s,ration.
Priority Order For Coal.
Goal Is responsible for one half the
congested traffic and thousands OF cars
are being packed up at bottle neck
points. thru which the railroads have
cndeavored to move large amounts"
said he. THE cnly thing to do is what
we have done-asked Judge Lovett for
priority order for coal and to appeal
to operators 10 send whatever coal they
can to points most needed. That has
helped in some respects"
! He mentioned Pittsburgh. Cincin-
natl and Toledo a. examples Of bottle-
necked points but said there were
many others.
Mines in east Yves. Virginia are
shipping west and those in the wester
part shipping east, causing congestion
at meeting points. A change involves
great detailed changes In contract.
Unless conditions are improved I
may abrogate these contracts" DR..
Garfield said.
IT think that wise plan" remarked
Senator Kenyon.
! aroused hv reports nf shortage nf
winter clothing in national army camps
the senate committee. In resuming It's
investigation into army conditions.
adopted resolution requesting the
secretary Of war to Immediately ascer-
tain by wire the true conditions and
supply the men from direct sources
near the camp.
The resolution offered by Senator
McKellar, Of Tennessee, declares that
upon 'unquestioned proof there II .
shortage Of at least 10000 overcoats
and 47,000 wooden blouses in nine na.
tional army cantonments.
| Its adoption followed the testimony
last week Of Quartermaster Sharpe.
who admitted shortage Of win-
tar equipment In some camps. but said
!; all necessary supplies had been ship-
ped.