The Washington times., 1917-12-31
OF COAL
brings NEW CALLS
FOR MINE CONTROL

A concerted demand that the Gov
sAnInent take over the nations coal
l7jaes was manifest throughout the
e Gntry today. Private ownership
I'D management has failed, accord
~ 70 those advocating this drastic
gHasure. It was certain that the
hdmand for a new fuel program will
cfne up in Congress when it recon-
F}hes. Many members now here are
afyocatiug the plan. They point out
t1at the fuel situation is SO closely
lsItwined with the railroads that tak=
ing over one and leaving the other
"a the tender mercies Of private con-
IN is at least inconsistent.
fuel Administrator Garfield is the
] 1dtding advocate OF Government con-
tHbk He has taken the position that
relief from the fuel short
4 De existing everywhere in the coun-
fFg cannot be expected unless the
government is in position to con
tfoi fuel within its boundaries. Dr.
cFarfield has explained 10 the Presi-
|ent that a great deal OF the present
portage has been due to the use OF
ntiquated methods of production and
iatribution. His statistics he insists
tonelusively prove this contention.
President To Take IL I'D.
Up to the present time the Presi-
ent has not announced his stand on.
be coal situation. 1t is known. how
per, that he retains an open mind
The question OF Government con-
tQl and operation. There was a gem
raj feeling in official circles toda y
hat eventually he will favor taking
ae mines over. 1t is expected as
pon as he completes his address to-
.-onEress on the railway situation
'rhleh is to be delivered the latter.
qart OF this week that he will i'm
nedlRtely turn his complete atten-l
-foE- 70 the coal situation.
fofhcials VINO are close to the White
'1quse were convinced today that the
e9ldent will finally decide that the
- OF the country must be taken
for the period Of the war.
- rnat tion-wide cold wave now
Wng has been made even more
ous IN Its consequences by lack
in many places This is espc-
Co 20 in New England. The New
Engfand Fuel Director. J. J. Storrov,
made personal appeals today to Pres!-
dent Eilson, Fuel Director Garfield
UAAANdg DlTeClOT McAQOO Tor re
Iief Both bituminous and anthracite
eoal a very badly needed all through
New England, where temperatures
run n m 10 below zero to 80 below. ,,
ne Ia er figure reported from North
held. Public utility corporations
n NeT England furnishing light and
neat reported as crippled because
II lag of fuel
IeAdOO Acts For Relief.
IN - effort to relieve the situation I
n ew England, in certain parts OF !
9eW York and the middle West. D.
Fector McAdoO today issued orders {.
hat all transportation lines entering I
hat section pool their resources and .
Tush through coal as fast as possible. Z
and and water routes are 10 be used 4
o relieve the situation before the 1
'hreatened snow comes ana BLOCKS the
ines.
Mr.. McAdoo conferred again today .
fifth his assistant in charge OF trans |
|ortatiOn, Alfred II. Smith OF the New (
FORK Central; Walker d. Hines and I
Howard Elliott. They had before /
hem the reports of the Operating /
Committee OF Vice Presidents show
ing what had been done and what was /
being done to make the railroads eff
cient.
It was decided that coal should be
kept moving from the mines to New
England, New York. Ohio, .,Iichigan
md the middle western states where
The supply is low. As far as possible
fuel will be given the right OF way
and certain systems will move moth
ing else until the present danger
point is past.