The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-03
FIGHTING TO AVERT
SHORTAGE IN FUEL
supply for Year Estimated at Seven
ty-fve Million Tons Less
Than Demand.
GOVERNMENT is CONCERNED
rigid Economy Essential" Govern
mcnt Experts Say-Curiaitmcnt OF
Consumption Wanted and Indus
'ftcs Arc Ordered TO Save.

With the country facing an esti-
mated fuel shortage IN coal OF "a
100000 tons for next winter the fed
eral authorities have for some days
been in conferences discussing the
outlook and debating methods ana
means of meeting it Conservation
measures are now being mapped out
BY Dr. Harry A. Garfield in an et~
fort TO solve. what promises TO prove
= most serious situation.
cfficiafs of the fuel administration
we're this week IN New YORK CITY
comforting with the local fuel ADMIN
fHtrator and with the state admins
traitor. which will he called upon 10
ceuuire all lesser industrial plants TO
conserve fuel TO their utmost sim
Gar action is to be taken in al large
sues- such as Pittsourg' fh'l r
rhia Buffalo. Baltimore and Rich
Mnnd Also in Atlanta. sSa rannah
@ud New Orleans.
In the New England states that
Wc~ernme nt has suggested that guam
kffss of fire wood be cut and gathered
against a possible coal famine. SINH
lar requests are to 20 out 10 other
sections OF the country, call has
been issued 10 the American Society
Wf Mechanical Engineers. the Amert-
car Society OF Electrical Engineers.
n
kfneers and the American Society of
Civil Engineers 70 rally to the aid
81 the head Of the conservation III
vision Of the federal fuci admins
~rstior r p. Moves, The societies
have allied 10 the support Of the gov
wruent in the crisis and have eT-
r~es~ed belief that they Will be
able N guarantee a saving OF $40
0sH 200 hv strict supervision in all
~s me steam plants Of the country
. ST~luG ing cyerft)sor17e # those eperat-
1nE war industries.
within tho last fcv DAYS orders
have gone 6ut TO DOZENS among the
serped industries u cut down their
Use Of coal 10 tho last minimum
THE railroad administration IS grad
lily supplying more cars, but this
consideration will not in itself eo sur
ccieut to meet the issue Some idea
of the 'setne$s OF tho proposition q:
Supplying fuel TO the industries OF ths
United States may be gathered from
the latest estimate along this lire
which nlaces the coal needed for thf
current year at go 600 600 tons And
even with the railroads supplying
their best service federal officials fear
this supply will fail 100000 tors
short
Rvrf Urges Economy
Stke tsuel Administration H. T
ryrd " no Is kept in close touch with
conditions throughout the cnttr'
eourtr1 hv his frequent conference
~ Washington. IS very es-rr~f IN hi
appeal 70 the Virginia dorncstio ron
sBfners that so far as Is possible
fNev purchase their winter Suppl1
during Tho summer months
Mr. EYrd vf1ile in no sense ar
sisro1iSi il stueularir emphatic III tn
expression Of hts conviction that scrt
Gus fuel conditions are ahead for citi
gems ~ this and other state who post
ronc cetfirr tn their winter supply
or fuel coal until the last minute
IIn also believes that u will Prov
the part OF wisdom. no less than IN
part Of patriotism. for citizens II
rural sections TO supply them%elve
with. wood IN place Of coal when
ever Tins is feasible
The government through It's va
rious states and local fuel admins
trstions. IS determined 10 see tina
all waste in fuel IA from this tim
or cut out. both al large Ard sma
Industrial plants Fuel IS 70 be al
lowed domestic consumers along re
stricted and scientific lines. This
sn ago Of electricity and OF steam
neither 81 which can nc generates
without fuel Coal is therefor
among the most vital necessities par
f1culariy with i nation at war.