Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-27

| construction. The total tonnage of
coal
with this enormous war demand
added to the normal coal consumption
| OF the United States railroads, indus
tries and people, this country is con-
fronted with the necessity of supply
| ing approximately 7s5,000.00O tons of
coal between April I, 1918. and April
l, 1919. The fuel needs of the coun-
try have increased so enormously
since we went to war that the pro-
duction of bituminous coal during the
present coal year must be increased
by 79,866,000 net tons over the pro-
duction last year.
Uncle Sam explains to US that, ire
mendous as is the task of supplying
coal for all this war work, he is hand
1capped because he can haul only
from corners of this big coal pile.
He is determined that by 100 per cent
efficiency he will accomplish what
seems impossible.
Slowed Up Coal Cars.
The overburden on the railroads
LOT transportation OF war supplies and
the consequent congestion of an east
ern carriers, which characterized all
our hrst years war activities, ope-
rated to slow down the movement of
coal cars and therefore to limit
>O~A Pi odoStiou, DSCduSc
coal cannot be stored at the mine. 1t
must be hauled away as rapidly as it
is dug from the ground.
government operation OF the rail-
roads helped to bring about more
efficiency in car service. AS this i'm
proved heavier burden has been
imposed on the labor in the mines
producing coal. Meanwhile about Is
per cent Of all mine labor has an
sWered the call to the colors and
marched forward with the military
forces. There was so much profitable
work in other war Industries that
coal-mine workers, who found their
mine idle for lack of railroad cars,
accepted work elsewhere. In spite
Of this, be it ever to the glory of
have produced more coal with fewer
men than ever before, because they
went to their jobs with patriotic zeal
as though they were digging 'front.'
line trenches or making a deep grave
for the kaiser.
For the first time in the history of
the country the mine labor. the mine
operator and government officials
have worked in cooperation for a
common purpose-to back up the boys
IN the hghting line and to win the
war. This cooperation is develop
ing a fine esprit de corps, a mutual
better understanding, a closer touch
ing of elbows. a better appreciation
of each others' problems. keener
sense OF justice and mutual de-
ises to remove for the future much of
the unrest in coal fields that has left
blood spots on the pages of history.
Leader Urged "speeding Up."
For the first time in the history of
organized labor, a leader urged
speeding up OF production. Frank ].
Hayes, president of the United Mine
workers of America. took up the
through the mining fields on
speaking tour. Some Of the big pro-
ducing companies had fiag-decorated
circulars printed appealing to the
fighting blood of the workers, and
velopes These said: .The Soldiers
are working day and night at very
small pay. We are asking you to
work six days a week at the high
est rate of pay ever earned in the
coal industry: Don't lay off while the
soldiers are dying for you. Each day
you loaf adds a day to the length of
the war"
And the mine workers responded,
they are working full time, have
given up holidays and funeral days,
nave worked when a circus was bill
ed in the vicinity. They are fighting
the kaiser with their picks
The fuel administration took CO.
operative steps: To settle numerous
strikes and to promote a more har-
monious condition at the mines a
conference OF miners and operators
was held in Washington. The out
come was an agreement whereby
bltuminous mines were allowed an
increased price of As cents per ton.
to cover increased wages. The min
ers were obligated not to strike or
in writ
anthracite region a blanket agree
ment was made prescribing specific
penalties and the government allow
ed the operators an increase of IS
cents per ton in the selling price at
the mines.
the fuel administration to which all
matters relating to labor controver-
sizes are to be referred for settle
ment. John p. White. formerly presi-
dent of the United Mine Workers of
America. and Rembrandt Peale, coal
operator of central Pennsylvania.
were appointed joint heads Of this
bureau.
The shortage of labor in the in
dustry and the payment of bonuses
to get labor caused Fuel Administra-
against operators bidding against
each other for labor. He explained
that this inevitably causes unrest
and shifts. but does not increase the
total production of COAL"
cent efficiency production program the
fuel administration placed James B.
Neale, coal operator in the anthracite
and soft coal fields of Pennsylvania
familiar with both anthracite and
bituminous prediction. He sits in
ting reports from the districts, SO that
when there IS any falling or in pro-
duction or hesitation he can fmme-
diately tell where and why. He does
not blame the railroads, or the miner.
or the operator when anything goes
wrong, but impresses on each the win
the-war spirit, the Importance of the
part they are playing in getting out
and keeping moving for war needs
every possible ton of coal
Managers Of Production.
In order to supply leaders for this
intensive production campaign there
| have been appointed twenty-eight
production managers. one in each coal
, production district. At each mine a
committee of six is formed, three from
J the workers and three men Of the the
| company. Each production manager
has charge Of the more coal" cam
paign in his district and to him the
production committees report With
both parties interested represented on
| these committees it will be easy to de-
,, termine the failure in any mine to
produce maximum tonnage and to
point the way toward Improvement.
Close check will be kept by this com
mittee on men who have been absent
or worked short hours and those who
have loaded less than a fair weight of
| coal. Thus the slackers will be singled
out
To ease the strain on coal produce
ton as far as possible, many econo-
mics have been forced on a hifherfo