The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-19
Rescind GarfieId's Order.

Rescind GarfieId's Order.
st. Louis Globe-Democrat: DR..
Garfield a few weeks ago told the
senate investigating committee that
a shortage of 50,000,000 tons in the
coal supply existed, although the pro-
duction of 1917 exceeded that OF 1916
by 50,O00,000 tons. This shortage is,
of course, a statistical figure est-
mated from various sources of infor-
nation as to production and con-
sumption. 1t amounts to somewhat
! less than 10 per cent. of the annual
production, and is due entirely, as
! he stated, to the demands of war
work. But coal is not like wheat
The source of supply is not limited.
There is coal enough not only for the
emergencies of this war, but for all
uses for generations to come. 1t has
simply to be mined to any quantity
that the market requires. Labor to
mine it is obtainable. Officials of
the United Mine Workers of America
said in Indianapolis last Saturday
that Notwithstanding the union had
given 1873 men to the army more
! than 3OO,000,000 tons Of coal can be
| mined in excess of the nations maxi
mum demand for all purposes" But
unwise regulations of the fuel adj
ministrator have closed down many
small mines, and lack of cars and
/ traffic COMPOSITIONS have hampered
! both production and distribution. The
shortage is entirely due to govern
mental blunders, past and present.
Ordinarily, coal mines have no stor-
age facilities and the output is based
upon the car supply. If there are no
cars available the coal is not mined
and as the miners are paid on a
ton basis their compensation is cut
off Where the car shortage has been
serious and continuous miners have
been compelled to seek other mines
more fortunately situated or take
other employment.
Primarily, therefore, the present
situation is due to defective transpor-
tation The immediate problem, the
pressing problem, is much more a
matter of distribution than of pro-
duction There is probably enough
coal above ground TO fill all imme-
date requirements if it could be
placed where it is needed, and if the
i transportation facilities were in
creased the production would in
crease at once. If the dictatorial
powers of the government were con-
centrated on the movement Of coal
and coal alone for five days, or
longer, using every available car and
giving coal right Of way over all
lines, while applying reasonable
measures of economy in coal con
sumption everywhere, the problem
could, we are sure, be quickly solved
/ without working any serious hard
ship anywhere. But, we are told, the
only remedy is to close down all in
dustries in the most populous and
productive half of the country, throw
ing millions of men out of employ
ment, involving a loss of hundreds
of millions of dollars to employers
and employees, seriously injuring
many Industries for long time, dis
astrously affecting the current oil
general business, and arousing a
justified spirit of dissatisfaction
throughout the country. The remedy
is out of all proportion to the dis
ease. 1t is admitted that coal is not
Immediately needed for the manufac
ture of munitions. 1t Is admitted
that the purpose of the order is &c
get coal to districts where the short
age is most pressing, and to ships
laden with food and munitions, that
cannot sail for lack of coal. We
would not for moment belittle the
importance of this purpose, but such
a tremendous tribute upon the coun
try as Dr. Garfield would levy is en-
tireIy unnecessary and exceedingly
unwise.
New York City is suffering fol