The Washington herald., 1918-10-28
US. C0ALB1N
WELLSTOCKED
Nation Fully Prepared for
Winter Season, DR..
Garfield Says.


The nations coal bin is adequately
stocked for the winter. Both war in
dustries and domestic consumers are
prepared for smother long, hard sea-
son.
This was the comforting assurance
given the country last night by DR..
Harry A. Garfield. United States Fuel
Administrator. in an exhaustive state
ment outlining the fuel situation as
found BY tho approach OF cold
weather.
The Fuel Administration an.
proachss the winter season well or
ganized. with stocks Of coal on hand
Tar In excess OF the stocks of other
years" said Dr.. Garfield. I'VE are
ready for an unusually severe winter,
out We are stiu and shall continue to
De dependent upon the corporation
OF the people OF the United States In
conserving fuel and upon the several
agencies concerned in the production
and transportation OF fuel to enable
US TO carry through our program to
the end OF the year"
Statistics Submitted.
The Fuel Administrator presented
stalstcs showing the relative pro-
ducton OF fuel as compared with
previous years and the conclusions
warranted from these figures. Briefly
summarized. his findings are that:
The nations fuel supplies assem-
oled In preparation for an unusualIy
severe winter. are adequate and well
distributed
Coal stocks on hand are greater
tnan ever before; the needs also
are greater than at any previous
time.
J. More domestic coal is now in
the hands of consumers and dealers
sAthan at the corresponding period in
normal years.
l. For the country at large there
Is an average coal supply in stock
sufficient for eight weeks.
.. The present coke supply is slight
ly less than the maximum demand OF
blast furnaces and war industries
O. Continued full and loyal COOP
Grafton from the public in conserva-
uon, and from all producing and dis
triouting agencies. is necessary.
Cooperation General
The present highly satisfactory
conditions are the result of enthus-
lastic team work developed through
the efforts of the Fuel Administra-
Jion- DR.. Garfield graciously &C
knowledges the loyal and patriotic
cooperation of the mine workers
and operators, the Railroad Admin
istration and railroad operatives, the
War Industries Board. the general
public and other agencies.
Although their number has been
reduced to a point lower than at
any time in recent years, the mine
workers OF the country produced
3s.0OO.0O0 tons more coal in the first
six months of the present coal year
than were produced in the CORES
pondtng period last year.
In coal deliveries the fuel pro-
gram to date has been exceeded.
By zonipg system coal has been
supplied throughout the country
from the nearest available mines.
eliminating cross-hauling and tre-
mendously facilitating distribution.
Points farthest from the mines have
been supplied with the greatest
Quantities. The upper Great Lakes
districts, where winter cuts most
deeply into transportation. have re-
ceived the greatest prOportionate
supply, and points nearer to mines
are now DelnB cared lot.
Tribute to Public.
Paying a tribute to the public
DR.. Garfield said:
The people of the United States
have demonstrated their willingness
to make any sacrifice necessary, but
they must be satisfied that what Is
asked is necessary and reasonable.
The highest testimony to democracy
has been furnished by the way in
which the people of the United States
have met the requests of the Food
and Fuel administrations. even wher
these requests have imposed upon
them personal inconvenience and sac
rifiCe."
Instead of being we'll prepared to
meet winter conditions, the country
would have faced another serious
coal shortage at the most critical
time of the year, DR.. Garfield pointed
out. IL the less essential industries
had been permitted to operate with
out curtaflment of their fuel supply
While the coal situation is salts
factory. the oil and gas situation will
probably be somewhat acute because
Of the steadily increasing domestic
and overseas demand for oil and a
Adecrease in the production of natural
8Eas The oil problem, however. is
largely one OF transportation, &C
cording to the Fuel Administration.