The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-15
COAL PRODUCTION. l SHOWS INCREASE l DURING PAST WEEK Output With Two Big Mines Closed Exceeds
 Previous Record CAR SHORTAGE IS
 STILL A HANDICAP President Wilson Calls on Mining Industry to Help Win the
 War by Increased Output

cars to keep the mines going full time last week were not available, the output of coal for the week ended August 10 was 427,71S tons, an increase of 10,256 tons over the preceding week. This in crease was in face of the fact that two of the largest mines in the district were closed down at least one day and some of the smaller ones for longer periods.
 The output by weeks since the in- creased production began to show early in July follows: For week ended July l3 412, 47S; July 20, 415,563; July 27, 43S. .73S; August 3, 417.462; August 10. 427,7ls.
 District Representative E. A. Holmes of the United States fuel administration, in giving out the figures of last week, stated. yesterday that so far as reports had come, none of the mines had been compelled to close down this week on account of lack of cars. If this condition continues through the week. new record will likely be made, as the miners are putting in more hours per day than at any previous time for many months.
 MAY EXCEED PRODUCTION
 With ample car service from now until the end of the year, the production in 1918 will more than likely equal, if it does not exceed, the production in 1917. The total production for the five weeks beginning with July and ended last Saturday was 2,107,959 tons ,or an aver age of 421,592 tons a week. This rate,
 maintained for e;x- oc would bring the output of the last half of the year up to 1O,96l, 1892 tons. or a tonnage sufficient to overcome the short age of the first half of the year. and probably make the years output some thing in excess of that of 1917.
 Reports to the United States fuel ad- mlnistration show increases for all dis tricts, but still the output is not large enough to meet the demands of the gov errment and industrial enterprises and individuals. It was estimated sometime ago that 100,000,000 tons more than were mined last year would be required to supply all demands in 1918 and up to July the increase was approximately 12- Ooo.oOO tons, leaving ss,ooO, GOO tons to be made up during the last half of the year.
 Only two or three more months remain until cold weather will hamper railroad operations in the northern half of the United States, and to avoid a repetition Of conditions last winter. when more than half of the country was without coal for days at time. Recognizing the importance of mining the greatest possi- ble amount of coal during the balance of the summer and the early fall, President Wilson has issued proclamation calling upon the operators and the miners to keep the mines going full tilt. His proc lamation follows:
 MESSAGE TO MINERS
 ITO All Those Engaged in Coal Mining:
 'AThe existing scarcity of coal is cre- ating grave danger-in fact, the most serious which confronts us, and calls for prompt and vigorous action on the part of both operators and miners. Without an adequate supply our war programme will be retarded; the effectiveness of our fighting forces in France will be les sened; the lives of our soldiers will be unnecessarily endangered and their hard ships increased. and there will be much suffering in many homes throughout the country during the coming winter.
 I am wei! aware that your ranks have been seriously depleted by the draft, by voluntary enlistment, and by the de- mands of other essential industries. This handicap can be overcome, however, and SuulclcHl coal can De mlneQ in spite CT it, if every one connected with the in dustry, from the highest official to the youngest boy. will give his best work each day for the full number of work hours. The operators must be zealous as never before to bring apout the highest efficiency of management, to establish the best possible working conditions and to accord fair treatment to everybody, so that the opportunity to work at his best may be accorded every workman.
 The miners should report for work every day, unless prevented by unavoidable causes, and should not only stay in the mines the full time, but also see to 1t that they get out more coal than ever be- fore. The ether workers in and about the mines should worok as regularly and faithfully so that the work of the miner may not be retarded in any way.
 LESSENED BY DRAFT
 This will be especially necessary from this time forward, for your numbers may be further lessened by the draft, which will induct into the army your fair share of those not essential to industry. Those who are drafted but who are essential will be given deferred classification, and 1t is their patriotic duty to accept 1t. And it is the patriotic duty of their friends and neighbors to hold them in worker who deserves the condemnation of his community is the one who fails to give his best in this crisis; not the one who accepts deferred classification and works regularly and diligently to increase