Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-08
DIFFICULTIESLESSENED'
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. in
Fuel Administration Acts to
Prevent Repetition of Win
ter Inconvenience
INCREASE MINE OUTPUT
Accomplishments After First Year
Of War Reviewed by Federal
Bureau

q Washington, April S-with the COM
pletion Of the first year in which the
tUnited States has been engaged in the
war. statement Of the accomplishments
and the prospects of the fuel admuistra.
tion is published.
Governmental regulation Of the pro-
duction and the traffic was undertaken
sfby the United States for the purpose Of
obtaining the highest efficiency in the
.production and distribution of coal,
(which is vitality needed by the Govern
tment and people Of the United States
fand the European allies in the prosecu-
tion OF the war.
& The United States fuel administration.
authorized by act of Congress, was or.
sganized August 20, 1917, four months
after the declaration Of war with Ger
many. It's operations have. therefore,
covered a period of seven months The
tasks of the administration have been
directed toward getting increased pro-
,duction and equitable distribution Of
s,the mine products. More coal was de-
nanded than the mines were producing.
The production of the mines was re.
stricted to the capacitys of the railroads
ito. place cars and move them TO and
from the .tipples. The railroads were
hampered by n lack of equipment and
an excess of freight offerings OF all
) characters.
Ks Measured by normal conditions, the
mines increased their production during
1917 approximately 50,O00,OOO tons, or
about per cent over that Of the pre-
'ceding year Measured by the war nee
;-essities of the nation and the increased
domestic consumption rendered ueces-
sary by the excessively cold winter, the
production was still about 50,0OO,0O0
tons short Of the requirements. The 1917
production Of bituminous coal WAS APP
proximately 550.00O,O0O tons. IN spite
of strikes and transportation troubles,
as compared with 5O2,OOO,OOO tons for
1916.
Not only have the enlarged require
nent Of coal for uses at home been
met, but there has been no material
curtailment Of normal exports to the
allied and neutral nations, it is pointed
out.
n For the movements Of troops and
amunitions and supplies to the war front
speedy delivery of coal to the sea-
board has been accomplished i'm vast
quantity. though not always without
sacrifice and extreme difficulty, During
a period of eight days in January and
February industry in a portion of the
United States was entirely suspended
in order to clear the freight Conges-
tion with which the railways were af-
f1icted and provide an open way for
the movement Of coal The relief sought
was speedily afforded and communica-
,tion with our armies and allies quickly
re-establshed.
81 Notwithstanding the many difficulties
that presented themselves during the
early period Of the operation of the Fuel
Administration. the main task OF secur-
ling an adequate supply OF coal for the
Industries engaged in war work and of
Keeping coal in the bins Of the house
holders has been satisfactorily accom-
splished but not without temporary dep
rivations here and there, which have
---heen endured with the highest spirit OF
slpatience and patriotism.
Despite the unparalleled demand for
I'ooal during our first year of war, the
price to consumers has been kept TO
Z So tisfactory level At no time since the
-s ORGANIZATION Of the Fuel Administration
has any consumer been deprived Of fuel
because of hindrance due to prices.
Compared with other countries en-
gagged in war the fuel experiences of the
United States, with regard to production,
arrices and distribution, have been salts
factory, and even better results during
the present year may be confidently eN-
pected.
& A plan has been carefully devised
and is now in operation by which the
difficulties attending distribution will he
greatly, lessened. Cross hauling and
long distance movements are obvated
by the coming system of distribution
made effective April I. Railway cars
and locomotives will thereby be enabled
to do greater service, thus permitting
the mines materially to increase their
output.
Domestic consumption will be regu-
lated under certain reasonable restric-
tions, to which both the dealers and the
users will be obligated. The plans Of
the administration providing for the
early buying and storing of coal for
next winter are being enthusiastically
supported by the people, thereby afford
Ing a guaranty against a repetition Of
the inconvenience such as were fire.
quently experienced last winter.
with prospects Of enlarged production.
simpihed distribution and an agreeable
price basis, the fuel administration faces
the second year Of it's activity.