Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-17
FEELING THE PINCH

The order of the fuel administration limiting the
use of coal during the next ten weeks in all the states
east Of the Mississippi. and including the state of Min
nesota, brings the country, and especially the eastern
section of it. face to face with the concrete fact that we
are at war in a more forceful manner than has been
done by any other order thus far issued with reference
to the use of commodities or the disposition of prop
ery in the United States.
Steps were taken last fall to provide a basic price
for wheat. But the price fixed was far above the nor
NAL, hence the action did not impress the producers as
would a like action in ordinary times; and wheat is a
commodity which is bought directly by but few people.
Tho connection between the order and the price to the
consumer was, therefore, difficult to recognize. Orders
have been issued regulating tho use of various food
SUITS, but SO far as the individual consumer is con-
earned these orders have come chiefly in the form of
recommendations, and the observance Of them has been
chiefly voluntary and as a matter of patriotic duty.
The railroads have been taken over by the government,
a move of tremendous Importance; but in general the
same people are directly in charge of them, so that the
public scarcely has immediate reason to realize that
there has been a change.
But the order with reference to- coal consumption is
Of a different character. In the first place, it is an or
der, and not a request or recommendation. It must be
obeyed. In the second place, it affects every individual
in the entire eastern half Of the country. It is true
that the use OF fuel in the homes of individuals is not
restricted. but an order which calls for the closing Of
factories regularly during a part of the time, which re-
quires that stores shall be closed at certain times. and
which calls for the closing at stated periods Of practical
~ every kind Of business establishment of considerable
size, will affect the life of every individual in the vast
territory affected. 1t brings into the life of every citi-
zen the grim fact that we are at war.
The connection between the coal situation and the
war runs through several stages. There has been. it
tain of our war activities there has been unusually large
the ordinary there would have been some Tightening up
in the fuel situation. But, while the coal actually mined
was less than usual in proportion to demand, the real
basis Of the trouble has been in the lack Of transporta-
ton facilities with which to distribute it. The entrance
OF the United States into the war placed unusual bur-
dens on the railroads. Industrial notifications had to
DO made to shift much Of our factory production from
foreign to domestic use. A million men were to be
carried back and forth, collected, transported, distribut-
ed. they moved on to other places, making room for
others who followed them. Arms, equipment of all
every sort had to be transported, and transported quick
even under ordinary circumstances, was straining the
system almost to the breaking point, caused such con-
gestion at important points that coal shipments could
not be made fast enough to keep up with the needs.
That appears to be about the situation, and while
in some states the supply is believed to be equal to the
demands which Will be- made on it, it appears to be
necessary to curtal consumption in the more populous
districts in order to prevent an actual famine.