The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-14
MUST MOVE COAL
Fuel Shortage Again Is Warn
ing of Senator Reed.
Mine Output Less Than in Sea-
son of 1917.

St Louis, Mo-, May 14.-Unless coal
production and transportation facili-
ties are speedily increased, last win
ter's fuel shortage will be duplicated
with it's consequent suffering among
the people and curtailment of war in
dustry, Senator Reed of Missouri, pre-
dicted today in an address before the
Mississippi Valley waterways conven-
ton.
The output of coal mines this sea-
son, Senator Reed said has been ac-
tually less than for the corresponding
season of 1917 and transportation IA
cilities, while improved, cannot cope
fully with the situation until the gov
eminent employs every possible
agency within its power. He urged
that the nations waterways be utilized
to the fullest extent to aid the rail-
roads in solving the problem.
1T is foolish he continued, lit is
insane to stop now to debate the
question as to which method OF trans
portation, water or railroad, is the
most economical. 1t is not a time to
count costs, it is a time to do some
thing to avoid great disasters. The
cost of the disaster will be thousands
of times greater than any possible
saving which might be effected If
there was an abundance of time to
work out the problem which is the
most economical method of transport
tation.'
I'VE are at a point where speed, re-
CARELESS of cost, and results regardless
of expense must be regarded as para
mount.
Get Railroad Equipment!
PLAINLY, therefore, it is the duty of
the government to do two things and
to do them at one and the same time.
1t should increase the efficiency of the
railroads by every means in it's power;
it should buy every engine that can
be produced in the next six months.
and it should not stop to count the
cost.
att should at the same time place
boats and barges upon the great in
land water ways of the country. This
can be done practically without inter-
ference with the production OF rail-
ton of war supplies. AS soon as
these lines are in operation, and they
can be constructed within few
months time, they will begin to so re-
lieve the congestion on eastern rail-
ways that the coal mines of the coun-
try will be able to secure an abundant
supply of cars. Grains and materials
now held up on side tracks will be re-
leased and the boats will pay for
themselves in benefits to the country
before the snow flies next winter.
Favors Use of Rivers.
| Speaking Spec11lcaily OF the MlSSlSS-
ippi river, the Missouri senator advo-
Gated its use as the best means of re-
lievfng the congestion at the Atlantic
seaboard. The practicability of the
port of New Orleans, he said, was seen
when it was remembered that prior to
the war, 1.-The foreign tonnage shipped
! from New Orleans and New York was
substantially the same"
| THE total cost of seven tow boats
and fifty steel barges is estimated at
$S.200,000,' added Senator Reed.
THE war is now costing $60,000,000 a
day. If we figure a day of eight
hours that is $7,5OO,000 an hour. The
cost of this war for one hour will al
most place a great and efficient boat
and barge line upon the Mississippi.
When we expend $6O,000,000 building
temporary. homes for employees at ia c.
tories, why hesitate about spending
| $8,000,000 to establish a wonderful
water highway that will relieve the
railway congestion for a large part of
the country"