Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-24
CARRIERS BLAMED
FOR FUEL SHORTAGE
Labor Troubles Also Cited as
Factor in Decreased Output
in Certain Sections.
OFFICIALS STUDY PROBLEM


cials today of the maze of problems
connected with the fuel shortses
throughout the country places the bur
den Of blame upon congestion Of the
country's most important railroad lines,
Labor troubles are also cited by the ad-
as a factor in decreased
output in certain mining sections.
How far the government is disposed
to go if necessary to force the con-
tinued supply Of coal from the mines
is evidenced by acts of the fuel ad-
ministration within the last twenty
four hours
Transportation difficulties confront.
ing the fuel administration in its efforts
to regulate the movement and distrf-
button of coal were discussed yester-
day by United States Fuel Adminis-
traitor Harry A. Garfield with Hale
Holden. president Of the Chicago. Bur
lington and Quincy railroad, and How
ard Elliot. president Of the New York.
New Haven and Hartford railroad.
Maximum Efficiency Sought.
Plans are being worked out, it is
said. whereby the RAILROADS will unde-
take to obtain the maximum efficiency
In the use of the available transporta-
tion facilities.
The solution of the transportation
problem was said today by officials to
be the only step between an adequate
supply of coal at the mines and an
equitable distribution among all Sec
tions of the country.
Acting on this theory, Fuel Admin
istrator Garfield requested the priority
board to revoke the order requiring all
coal shipments from middle western
fields to go through to the lakes for
transhipment to the northwest. The
purpose is to divert the coal to re-
lieve acute shortages in the middle
west and New England. The latter
section is suffering most acutely from
coal shortage, reports to the fuel
administration today indicated.
Sale by Pooling Possible.
formed at Cleveland to handle the
shipments of mines in Ohio, West vir-
ginia. a part of Pennsylvania and per-
haps Kentucky and Tennessee. the gov
ernment gave encouragement to the
suggestion from producers that event.
uai government pooling and sale Of all
coal mined in this country is possible
Under government pooling plan.
which. IL made operative at Nfl would
be effective next spring to replace the
shippers pool. the government would
reQuisition the entire coal output, oe12-
ing IL without profit, the governments
itself by its priority powers directing
ali shipments
II operators permit labor difficulties
to cause a suspension Of mining the
government may seize the mines hnd
operate them. This was indicated in e
message which Administrator Garfield
tn -foh tor
He told them to keep the mines going
at all hazards and submit cost figures.
showing the increased cost of operating
the mines now over production ex-
penses year ago.
II the operators are not inclined to
accept this suggestion the mines will
be taken over by the government for
operation. pending determination OF
costs. The Oklahoma producers noti-
ned the fuel administration that they
would not be able to keep their wage
increase agreement with miners unless
the government allowed them to
charge As cents ton extra. To this
message Administrator Garfield sent
the following reply:
Reply of Mr.. Garfield.
Replying to your telegram. will not
consent to change As cent increase to
cover increases of wages. II, as total
result. you are unable to operate at q
profit. the way to proceed is to fis
statements here showing your 1915
total costs, and costs for 1917. month
by month. and meanwhile keep the
mines in operation Alternative will
be to turn over mines to me for opera--
tion pending determination of costs,
In other words, the only way in whiclas
the relation Of increase of wages to
increase allowed by Presidents orders
In prices Of coal can now be adjusted
is by showingtlctual labor costs in cons,
junction with the total costs as com<
pared with earlier period above tn-s
dicated. Under no circumstances must
mines be closed down"
Michigan operators also were warned
today that the government will take
over their mines If they carry out their
threat of refusing to sell coal at gov
prices.
Newly-opened coal mines were put
under direct government control by
the fuel administration, which issued,
governing their operation !,
and fixed prices at which their outpuoa
may be sold. Development Of furthere
new coal properties during the warS
will be discouraged on the grounds that
Did mines can be operated more em~e
GENTLY.
CIassed as Newly-opened Mines.
Operations classed as newly-openedE
mines are those opened before Septem>s
ser 1 and ready to produce coal by jane
lary /, 1918. After the mines are pro-
iucing at the rate Of $50 tons a day
hey will be permitted to charge -
profit of Is cents a ton above the actual !
cost of production; until then they may
charge only the present government
ixed prices.
An order directing preferential move>s
coal fhron0h HanpfON YoaAn
o New England points by water was /
ssued by Administrator Garfield today. I;
t will apply particularly to coal mined
n West Virginia. Many New Englands
Industries are face to face with sussd
,ension Of operations unless relief isl
ia feyzz da1za fhA ad ~