The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-06-10
Secretary Daniels Urges
Coal Ordered Early

That the efforts of the United
States Fuel Administration to secure
an adequate supply and equitable dis
tribution of coal are of prime i'm
portance in winning the war is a
fact recognized and testified to by
Hon. Josephus Daniels, Secretary Of
the Navy. All of the war industries
have added enormously to the in
creased demand for coal and no need
has been more strongly emphasized
than that of the navy. The speed
ing up of shipbuilding, the steady in
crease in Americas merchant ma
rine and the need of conveys clear
across the Atlantic ocean and back
again which navy officials have an
nounced, all make it certain that the
navys need of fuel will be enhanced
month by month as the war goes on.
This lends peculiar timeiiness and
force to the following letter sent by
the Secretary of the Navy to Fuel
Administrator Garfield, in connec-
ton with the Early Ordering" cam
paign Of the Fuel Administration:
Next to Man-Power there is no
more important question today thai
that of fuel supply, the use Of which
is steadily increasing, and it is OF
paramount Importance that our best
energy and every reasonable precau-
ton be employed to not only main
tain the daily supply of coal for Ma
Wy use, necessity of which is steadi-
ly increasing, but also that in every
consistent manner reserve stocks be
built up at all principal supply yards
and delivering points through the
Summer months and early Fall, to
protect the physical difficulties that
will later arise, through climatic
troubles, in the very order of things,
on which but little relief can be eX-
pected under a situation where the
going capacity is, under the best of
conditions, taxed to the utmost.
With the uses of coal-and l
speak only of coal for military and
other essential purposes in connec-
ton with the winning of the war
the first object of every true endea-
yor today-increasing on every hand
and the difficulties of mining,
transportation, etc, likewise ascend
ing in almost equal or even greater
proportions, it then becomes the du-
ty Of every citizen, no matter in what
capacity placed to give this subject
of fuel supply, reserve stock, and the
best use of all facilities under the
best conditions that can be found,
the utmost attention of which he is
capable.
The expected consumption for
the ensuing fiscal year by the Navy
of coal for direct use, is some three
or four times greater than that OF
the wear lust ending and it will be
held that the supply and the trans
portation facilities, for the reasons
set forth, cannot of necessity have
developed accordingly.
LAS far as the Navy is concerned,
it can be stated that no subject is re-
ceiving closer attention than that of
fuel at this time, and every arrange
ment is being perfected for immedi-
ate increased deliveries, increased
storage, enlarged reserve stocks, and
in fact the use of every agency that
will assist in meeting the conditions
bound to arise later in the year, and
which are fully realiZed--all in har-
mony with every Government IN
strumentality on this important mat
ter.
"A calm survey of the field on the
part of every coal user, together with
the elimination of every unnecessary
requirement, with actual personal
participation in these plans-sacri-
flee if need be--day in and day out,
in and through every possible help
full channel, by word and deed, will
be required to reach the result de-
manded under these controlling con-
ditions, and, to the full extent of his