The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-04-09
First Year OF War

Washington. d. c., April s.
With the completion of the first year
in which the United States has been
engaged in the war, a statement of
the accomplishment and the pros
poets of the Fuel Administration is
deemed appropriate.
Governmental regulation of the
production and the traffic of coal
was undertaken by the United States
for the purpose of obtaining the
highest efficiency in the production
and distribution of coal which is vi
tally needed by the Government and
people of the. United States and the
European allies in the prosecution of
the war.
The United States Fuel Admins
tration, authorized by act of Con-
gress, was organized August %,
1917, four months after the decla-
ration of war with Germany. Its op-
erations have, therefore, covered a
period of seven months. The tasks
of the administration have been di-
rected toward getting increased pro
duction and equitable distribution of
the mine products. More coal was
demanded than the mines were pro-
ducing. The production of the
mines was restricted to the capacity
of the railroads to place cars and
move them to and from the tipples.
The railroads were hampered by a
lack of equipment and an excess OF
freight offering of all characters.
Measured by normal conditions,
the mines increased their production
during 1917 approximately 50,000,-
600 tons, or about s per cent, over
that of the preceding year. Meas
ured by the war necessities of the
Nation and the increased domestic
| consumption rendered necessary by
| the excessively cold winter, the pro
duction was still about 50,000.000
| tons short of the requirements. The
| 1917 production of bituminous coal
| was approximately $50, 100000 tons
| in spite of strikes and tranSporta-
ton troubles, as compared with 502-
| 900, 900 tons for 1916.
| Not only have we met the enlarg-
| ed requirement of coal for uses at
| home, but there has been no materi-
| al curtailment OF normal exports to
| the allied and neutral nations.
| For the movement of troops and
munitions and supplies to the wal
| front speedy delivery of coal to the
i seaboard has been accomplished in
| vast quantity, though not always
| without sacrifice and extreme diff
Guilty. During d 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 congestion with which
| the railways were afflicted and pro
wide an open way for the movement
of coal. The relief sought was speedi-
| ly afforded and communication with
| our armies and allies quickly re-es-
| tablished.
Notwithstanding the many Difficult
| ties that presented themselves during
the early period of the operation ol
| the Fuel Administration, the main
| task of securing an adequate supply
| of coal for the industries engaged in
| war work and OF keeping coal in the
| bins of the householders has been
satisfactorily accomplished, but moi
| without temporary deprivations here
| and there, which have been endured
| with the highest spirit of patience
| and patriotism.
Despite the unparalleled demand
! for coal during our first year OF
| war, the price TO consumers has
been kept to a satisfactory level. AT
no time since the organization of the
Fuel Administration has any con-
sumer been deprived of fuel because
of hindrance due to prices.
Compared with other countries
engaged in war the fuel experiences
of the United States, with regard to
production, prices, and distribution,
have been. satisfactory, and even bet
ter results during the present year
may be confidently expected.
A plan has been carefully devised
and is now in operation by which
the difficulties attending distribu-
tion will be greatly lessened. Cross
hauling and long s-distance movements
are obviated by the Zoning system of
distribution made effective April l..
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 reg
ulated under certain reasonable re-
strictions, to which both the dealers
and the users will be obligated. The
plans of the administration provid-
ing for the early buying and storing
of coal for next winter are being en-
| Enthusiastically supported by the peo-
pie thereby affording guaranty
against a repetition of the incon-
veniences such as We're frequently
experienced last winter.
With prospects of enlarged pro
duction, simplifed distribution, and
! an agreeable price basis. the Fuel
| Administration faces the second
year of its activity. So much as coal
and fuel oil can do toward the spec
dy winning of the war will be hear
! tily done.
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