New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-29
Soft Coal
Famine Near,
Operators Say
[Staf Correspondence

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2s.-"In justice
to the public and to the producers Of
bituminous COAL" says a statement is
sued by the National Coal Association
tonight, "a full statement of the sit
uation, so far as it can be ascertained
by the association, should be made pub
lie at this tirae.
Ordinarily at this time of the year
there is in the hands of consumers a
supply of bitumnous coal estimated to
be sufficient to meet their needs for
thirty days. A careful canvass by the
association and other agencies of the
present stocks of fuel in this country
discloses that at this time there is on
hand less than weeks supply. and
that with the exception Of few sec
tons of the country, such as the North
west, the entire country is facing fuel
famine.
THE results of such famine would
be disastrous. Millions of household
users of bituminous coal would expert
ence acute discomfort, and in many
cases extraordinary hardships. The
great plants manufacturing munitions
in New England and the East would be
compelled TO close down or to run on
part time. Public utility plants. such
as water, gas, light and power plants,
throughout the entire country would
be forced either TO suspend operations
or TO run with greatly curtailed service.
Tried to Remedy Situation
"Bituminous coal operators of the
National Coal Association, represent
ing an output of more than 100000 tons
monthly, have been endeavorinS for
weeks past to correct this situation.
They have sought to bring production
of their mines to capacity. .,
"The latest report OF the United
States Geological Survey shows that
for the week ended November 10 BIZ
luminous mines in the great producing
sections of the country produced only
77.2 per cent of the amount they were
capable of producing. This means that
were all conditions in harmony with
the desire of bituminous operators 10
obtain 100 per cent output from the
mines, the yield Of coal would nave
heen unfortunately one-third greater
government figures show the output of
coal during the week of November II
TO have been higher than in any week
since July, they show that mines pro-
duced but three-fourths the amount Of
coal they were capable of producing.
Consumption Exceeded Production
THE fact that coal production was
higher this week than at any time since
July does not mean that il was sutfi-
cient to meet the military, naval, in
dustrial and domestic needs of the ma
tion. On the contrary, coal consump-
tion has increased at much greater
rate than production during the period
since July, and the output for the week
of November II was not sufficient TO
meet the heavy demands of the ma
tons war time activities.
"Analyzing the inability Of the mines
TO produce the amount Of coal they are
capable of producing, the Geological
Survey states that thirds of this
inability was directly due TO short
age of cars.
1.-THE National Coal Association rec
ognizes that the railroads are longest
ed and crowded with freight, but this
does not change the fact so far rs
concerns the fuel conditions. The fact
remains that we ire face TO face with
fuel famine. There is relief in sight
only through additional supply Of cars
TO run the mines at full capacity and
preferential movement of the coal from
the mines to the consumers.
"0nly orders establishing the pref
erential movement OF coal by the rail
roads. issued at once, can correct the
xituationn