Evening journal., 1918-08-12
wilson CALLS COAL
SHORTAGE A Peril
Appeals to Operators and
Miners to Save Nation
from Suffering
SAYS WAR WORK
is IN PERIL

WASHINGTON, Aug i2-Presidenf
Wilson sounded a warning to all pro-
ducers Of coal. miners and operators
alike. that prosecution Of the war will
be retarded and serious suffering will
be felt in homes throughout the coun-
try in the coming winter unless the
greatest possible production OF coal Is
effected Immediately and maintained.
The appeal Of the President showed
the deepest concern in the coal situa-
tion, although It is the first official no.
tlce Of the coal crisis which has come
directly from the White House.
Retsrding the war program and ham,
pering the effectiv ness Of American
fighting forces abroad through increas-
ing their hardshlps and unnecessarily
endangering their lives. the President
warned, can only be averted II every
one connected with the industry from
the highest official to the youngest boy
will give his best work each day for
the full number Of work hours"
investigations m the coal regions in
the last month, together with estimates
OF the war, industrial and household
needs for the winter, have indicated
that a shortage this winter from 10 TO
90 per cent. greater than that Of last
winter VIII occur unless extreme efforts
are put forward by every one connect
ed with the output Of ooal 10 advance
the weekly tonnage to the point OF the
present demand.
The President dealt in AL energetic
fashion With one OF the greatest deterr-
ents in coal production this year, the
unwillingness of the mine workers 10
ask for industrial exemptions or deferr-
ed classifcatiOns from military service |
because Of the fear that their action |
might be misunderstood by their fell |
low workers. The President declared |
that 10 T a patriotic duty for miners 10
accept such exemptions and deferred
classiflcations In the interest Of high
er tonnage from the mines.
'And IL is the patriotic duty OF their
friends and neighbors TO hold them in
high regard for doing So he adds
The proclamation Of the President,
addressed 70 "all those engaged in
coal mining" follows
THE existing scarcity Of coal Is ere
stlng a grave danger-ln fact, the most
serious which oonfronts us-and calls
for prompt and vigorous action on the
part of both miners and operators.
Without an adequate supply our war
program viii be retarded, the effec-
tiveness Of our fighting forces In France |
win be lessened, the lives Of our SOL |
diers will be unnecessarily endangered
and their hardships increased and there
VIII be much suffering in many homes
throughout the country during the
coming winter.
---el am we'll aware that your ranks
have been seriously depleted by the
draft by voluntary enllstments and by
the demands Of other essential indus
tries. This handicap can be overcome, |
however, and sufficient coal can be !
mined in spite Of 70 II every one con-
neoted with the industry from the high
est Official to the youngest boy will
give his best work each day for the
full number Of work hours.
The operators must be jealous as
never before TO bring about the highest
efficiency Of management 10 establish
the best possible working conditions !
and TO accord fair treatment 10 every !
body so that the opportunity TO work
at his best may be accorded every work q
man.
The miners should report for work s
every day unless prevented by unavoid- {
able causes and should not only stay :
in the mines the full time but also see
10 It that they get more coal than ever
before. The other workers in and
about the mines should work as regu-
larly and faithfully so that the work
OF the miner may not be retarded in
any way.
This will be especially necessary
from this time forward, for your num-
bers may be further lessened by the
draft which will induct into the army
your fair share of those not essential to
industry. Those who are drafted but
who are essential VIII be given deferred
classification and It is their patriotic
duty to accept &C. And 1t is the patriotic
duty Of their friends and neighbors TO
hold them in high regard for doing so.
'The only worker who deserves the
condemnation Of his community is the I
one who fails TO give his best in this
rrisis; not the one who accepts deferred l
classification and works regularly and
diligently 10 increase the coal output.
A great task is to be performed.
"The operators and then STATS alone
cannot do It, not can the mine workers
alone do II; but both parties working
hand in hand with a grim determination
TO rid the country Of its greatest OBJ
stacle to winning the war can do It. 10
Is with full confidence that | call upon
you to assume the burden Of producing
an ample supply Of coal. You Will | am
sure. accept this burden and will sue :
cessfully carry 1t through and in so
doing you will be performing a service ,
just as worthy as service In the ,
trenches and will win the applause and ,
gratitude Of the whole nation"
More than a million copies OF the {,
proclamation translated int, all Of the :
twenty languages spoken by the miners
In the coal flelds are being prepared for
distribution tomorrow and Tuesday al |,
the mines. An effort will be made TO
put copy in the hand Of every person ,
connected in any way with the produc- ,
Ton and distribution Of coal whether
employed in the coal regions or engag-
ed in the transportation and distribu-
ton OF fuel on the railroads and at the
big terminals Of the country.
The White House statement is issued
nj time when the production OF coal
has shown steady decrease for three
successive weeks. Operators claim this
Is largely due to their inab lity TO Sc
cure enough cars to keep their mines
In continuous operation.
Reports Of the Geological Survey to-
day point to car shortage ranging
from ~ per cent. In central Pennsyl-
vania TO 1913 per cent. in the Kentucky !
fields While the 0utnut IL iLQ nor