The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-16
u. 5. MUST INCREASE !.
SOFT COAL PRODUCTION
output From Bituminous Mines Mus
Be $1,000 900 Net Tons Greater
This Year.
NEEDED BY WAR ACTIVITIES.
Extra Work of Government Has Made
Urgent Call On Supply--Country
Must Get More Coal Than All the
World.

Washington, June 15.--Caretui
investigation by the United States fuel
administration shows that the country
will have need of approximately 1885,
100000 tons of coal for the current
coal year, ending March 81. 1919 10
reach this huge total would reuire that
the United States produce considerably
more coal than all the rest OF the
world combined.
OF this total, 100000. 900 net tons
Is apportioned TO the anthracite mines
and 635, 100000 net tons to the btu
mnous mines The apportionment TO
the anthracite mines about equals the
output OF 1917. That to the btu,
minous mines represents an increased
/ production of 5000 900 net tons. To
meet the additional requirem ents Tor
| bttuminous coal neCessitates an aver
age weekly production exceeding H.
100000 tons. The top notch OF pro-
duction was reached for the week OF
May / when the output recorded was
| II ,825, 900 tons Even should this
high average be carried through TO
| Decem Der. there will be a natural de-
cline in production after that time.
due to the added difficulties OF trans
rortation during the winter season
The increased demand for bitumin-
Gus coal is brought about by the amaz-
ing development OF the war activities
of the government. Additional coal
Is demanded In the equipment OF our
armies. the building Of ships. the ex-
pansion OF the navy. and for all Of the
Industrial activities involved in the
production Of war essentials. one
single war plant is now demanding e.
600 tons Of coal day, and by July |
is requirements will reach 1000 tons
a day, Four new munition plants will
need this year more bituminous coal
than was consumed last year ty Al the
shops factories plants gas works,
power plants ard street railways in
the state Of New Jersey. In addition
to the Industrial requirements. the
householders must be provided with
their quota of coal
The fuei administration and tho
railroad administration are working in
harmony in their efforts to reach the
demands of tho country for fuel IN
their efforts to fill the demands they
shave the operation OF miners and
Operators throughout all the coal
fields
anthracite distribution.
The fuel administration has esti-
mated that OF the total production Of
anthracite coal Sd 345.7S3 Eross tons
fer domestic use VIII he avaiia bic for
distribution, This amount Will he an
Increase If 2s6S.322 tons over that
o. The e"1} year 1a16-lT
The sew England and Atlantic
state age the only ones where any
aot 80 IF superintendent has been
r'a1e ~ New England the allotment
r. r'aeef }o23i,o00 tons. as against
4.N22 sts dBrina iPls-17. The At
lamp s-a - Ni'' receive 3l,4i7,i54
tors a- as*3.,~t .7-s7S,233 tons for the
fo~-7er rsr3oi
To afford these increases In the ter
rgtory ih4t depends principally ON an
'hrarue, allotment has been with
drawn entirely from thee trans Mis-.
s.sSinpi territory and the twenty-four
Southern and Western states The al
iotment for railroads ard miscellan-
Gus exports stand at the same figures
rs formerly
The ftel administration il not hope
ful Of any increase OF anthracite pro-
duction fer the wear over that OF last
year, when about 50. o00ooQ gross tons
300, GEO coo short tons were pro-
duced.