The sun., 1918-07-14

that when a qualified miner leaves the
mine he cannot be replaced at once by
newcomer. An anthracite miner must
have at least two years experience at
his work and be thoroughly skilled In a
dificult and dangerous calling before the
state of Pennsylvania will grant him a
miners license. With mine laborers the
case is different.
But the fully qualified miner lie the
key to the whole situation. Therefore
when a licensed miner goes to some other
war industry at increased wages, or is
drafted into the National Army, II means
two years before, his place can be filled.
Thus far. because Of men leaving the
mines the consuming public has lost
about 19,800,000 tons OF anthracite
which 1t otherwise have had
The only possible way In which pro-
duction has been kept up has been by
washing good coal out OF the washery
banks. and thus saving underground
labor. The public may not believe It,
but the huge piles above ground contain
coal Of excellent quality not heretofore
fully made use Of. Now all Of this is
being washed out.
The reason there Is no shortage in
cars for anthracite coal Is because in
the past the anthracite mining industry
and the coal carrying railroads have
been In the same hands IL was COM
mon business sense for the roads to look
out Tor the coal industry. and they did
so by keeping enough cars on hand 10
carry the product of anthracite mines.
This supply enabled the mines to
ship almost IA per cent. more coal dur
ing April this year than in the CORE
spending month of 1917. Notwithstand-
Ing this exceptional month it will be diff
hcult because Of labor shortage to get
out materially more coal than the max
imum which was shipped last year. and
that amount proved insufficient to meet
the needs of the country.
Every Ton VIII he Needed.
THE anthracite industry Is working
now with full knowledge that every ton
OF coal that can be produced between
now and next spring will be needed 1t
recognizes an urgent necessity not only
10 get out the greatest amount OF coal
nut to exert every effort and to utilize
every process to increase to the max
imum the quantity which can be used In
domestic consun ption.
1t is highly important. II the Amer
lean people are to have sufficient anthra-
cite next winter that the available labor
power shall be increased both in volume
In consequence anthracite and fuel OF
all kinds are In demand as never before
THE reduction in labor at the anthra-
cite mines. already down to a point
where II restricts the production of coal.
is most threatening. AS to efficiency of
labor. II should be remembered that men
drafted for the army represent the high
est physical standards. And in their
places, to some extent. men have drifted
into the anthracite regions who are new
to the work and not equal In physical
stamina or in habits OF steady work
One large coal concern has figured out a
loss OF Fl per cent. efficiency during
MAY. 1913. as compared with May, 1917.
I'm my belief there Will be unaues-
ttonably shortage in anthracite this
coming winter. fail to see by what
means il could possibly be avoided.
When the Federal Fuel Administra-
ton created the anthracite committee
this committee had written authority
from operators of 9S per cent OF the en-
tire output of anthracite to do with that
output as II thought was right; to dis
tribute 1t to such sections. or such States
or communities. as in the committees
Judgment would be best for the country.
The committee made a general survey
of production that might be possible this
been distributed for the year ending
| March 81, 1917.
starting at this point surveys were
made Of each State by State Fuel Ad-
! ministrators. And from the whole data
| obtained the Anthracite Committee ar
rived at basis for distribution Of coal
! for the year commencing April /. 1918.
| This basis was agreed to by the Federal
/ Fuel Administration.
Planned Incrcased Distributiop.
1T was closely figured that 54.345.-
1873 tons Of anthracite of domestic sizes
would be available for distribution 10
consumers in this period. II this IL
| actually produced it would be an in
crease OF 2.66S.323 tons. or more than
. per cent over the coal year 1861"
viii the mines really make that in
crease?' Mr.. Barker was asked.
III the present labor shortage con-
tinues or Increases II is impossible to
say how much or how little the mines
Will produce, Owing to expanded in
dustries created ny war needs In New
England and Atlantic States the popu-
! latIon in those States has increas ed
heavily. particularly in certain large
manufacturing communities
This means Of ppI,rca