Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-11
Garfield COaL-SaUing
Order Hits City Hard

with whom raw materials are the prime
essential. A curtailment in the latter
class, where entire towns. built around
many small industries, might be af-
fected. naturally would fall within the
province of the war industries board
controlling the allotment of raw mate
rials.
Agreement between the board and the
fuel administration. however. must re-
suit in either case. but the maximum
cut decided upon by either will prevail.
Plans for the conservation of oil fuel
have not taken form. and officials indi-
Gated they were awaiting reports on the
oil situation from w. c. Robinson. of
Baltimore, recently appointed director
OF oil conservation.
The statement of the fuel administra-
tion follows:
The fuel budget for the season 1918
1919 has been completed by the United
states fuel administration. We know
the worst Of a bad situation. A detailed
survey of the coal required during the
present coal year for war purposes to
keep our industries running and for do
mestic consumers foots up about S0.00O.-
000 tons more than was produced last
year. This is the figure on June 1.
Estimates Unexpectedly Higher
AS our part in the great war increases
we are confronted from month to month
WIN unexpected dO0ltlOnS 10 1OTHleT es-
Inmates of fuel requirements and to
greater demands on the man power OF
the country. so that those responsible
for the conservation of fuel do not feel
safe in assuming that the increased de-
mand will be only S0.OO0.000 tons, or in
assuming that It will be possible to OBJ
tain from increased production more than
one-half of the deficiency Conservation
must provide for unexpected contingent
ciess affecting both figures Of production.
and of consumption.
One has only to remember that the
production of coal last season was 5o.-
100000 tons greater than ever before IN
the history of the country and to reflect
on the enormous added burden the var
has put on our transportation system,
as well as the man power which is neces-
sarY4-to produce and distribute coal. to
understand that the fuel supply for this
year Is one Of the most difficult ana
threatening problems the war has pre-
sented.
It is estimated that the industries not
employed on war work will require some
thing less than 100.000.OOO tons OF coal;
All consumers Of fuel. war industries and
otherwise must participate in the saving
campaign, but nonwar industries are
especially interested because whatever
the deficiency turns out to be 1t VIII
come out of their quota. Hence. the
general prosperity of our industries and
the full employment of labor VIII de,
pend upon saving. by economies and
prevention of waste, between 50,OOo'o0O
and 60, 1000, 900 tons of coal.
In spite of intense efforts to increase
the production of coal, the first five
months of 1918 have produced only
10. 900 900 tons in excess of the same
period of 1917. If this Is considered IN
relation to the immense physical task
involved in producing 100000 tons
Of coal week, it is easy to draw the
conclusion that this increased demand
of 100, ,00O, 900 tons can not, to any large
extent, be met by increased produc'
ton.
And yet an actual deficit OF 800; Goo
tons would mean personal priNaticr
and an industrial disaster which no one
can contemplate with eauanimity:
What is the answer? There is only
one; that is, saving coal 1t IS tne
situaticn-saving coal in every. possible
way and by all the people. II we are
to avert the privations and disaster az.
tendant upon shortage OF coal mucr
greater than last year. the most inten,
carried into every activity OF indus
trial aid domestic life, and the cooper
atiop of every. man and woman IN the
country must be 100 per cent.
Fuel economy Is being given intensive
study in connection with steam plants
and industrial uses. An organization Is
already in existence. provided win en-
gineers and inspectors who VIII yisi
every CTe OI tHe -OVsoVV
ducing plants in the country with a
view of the Improvement both of equip
ment and firing practice. This is ex'
pected to save 20,O0o,0o0 tons OF coal
Many Plans for Saving
The economical use Of power in fac.
tories will be in the hands of organized
shop committees. The power loads OF
| try are being studied with view to re-
| adjustments which will result in large
saving
In many cities the isolated power
plants which use an extravagant amount
of coal in proportion to the power pro-
duced will be urged to obtain more eco
nomical power from large producing sta
tions.
The introduction OF "skip-stop" sched
ules on all street railways is expected
| to save |, 900, 900 tons of coal. The con-
solidstion of ice plants will yield a still
larger tonnage. Unnecessary outdoor
! lighting, including advertising signs ant
display illumination, will be reduced. Ho
tells, office buildings, apartment houses
an6 public buildings are being asked Il
| join In rigid economy OF light and heat
Every American citizen will be asked
| to clean his furnace, keep 1t In repair
and >study economical firing. Instruc
| tions prepared by the highest authority
will be furnished by the fuel admins
tration.
| from the owner of an Industrial plan
| to the householder with his furnace ant
! cook stove, II indoor and outdoor light
] ing is reduced to the amount absolutely
I needed. il houses are not overheated
the furnace dampers properly adjusted
| and the ashes sifted. II will be possibl.
to save from 50.000.000 to 76,o00,00'
| tons of coal without serious inconve
! nience to the American people.
A saving of 60.000.000 tons of coal Il
| the one possible avenue Of escape from
national disaster. Necessities Of wal
must be supplied. The coal deficit mus
| inevitably come out of the necessar!
| fuel for nonwar industries. These In
dustries employ millions of our popula
ton and furnish the backbone of ou
national wealth. Factories will shu
down and men be out Of work In pro
| portion to the coal deficit. Every ton o
coal saved will keep nifty workmen from
idleness and permit an additiona
creation OF several hundred dollars
worth of national wealth.
The fuel administration has frankl,
given to the public statistics of al
/ alarming fuel situation. Ii desires I,
state Just as frankly and with all tn
! emphasis possible that II II In the powe
J Sf the American people. thFOugh fue
fq.no'ny, q save the pqllG}tSy ffpn n
~ ~. ..t 3. = y 5 J<'o = Il ]{<)4 y 81 Z "A