Denver labor bulletin., 1918-06-22
COAL INSPECTOR DALRYMPLE URGES
Ignite TO AVOID 1918 SHORTAGE
Critical Situation Conons Consumers Next Winter Unless
Bitunous Order Is Supplemented by Substitutes; Miners
in Northern Colorado Idle for Want of Orders
and Quota Falls Short.

period in 1917 by IL, 491 tons, while
| Routt county's production during that
period fell short by 1869 tons of the
output during a similar period of last
year.
Applicable to Industry.
Wheat substitutes cost the con-
sumner from 10 to 20 per cent more
than wheat or corn" said Mr. Dali
rymple. "Why cannot the same prin-
ciple be applied to fuel, which, as 1
understand, is also regarded as one
of the prime essentials for winning the
war?
"In dealing with the manufacturer,
say, or other large consumers, the
plan suggested for the domestic con-
sumner is applicable also to the indus
trial enterprise.
eff a manufacturer orders 10000
tons of coal for a years supply, let
him have 5000 tons of bituminous for
storage and 5000 tons of Ignite or as
much more as it requires for current
consumption"
Labor scarcity is another thing that
handicaps full production and in
creases fatalities, in the opinion of
Mr.. Dalrymple.
"The draft and regular armies have
taken many miners from this state
he said. These men should be re-
placed from the industries that are
not considered essential TO the con-
duct of the war OF course, it will be
only a question of time before this
small surplus of labor is used up in
other war channels.
The only other alternative that /
can see will be to exempt miners and
that seems to be close at hand"
Iiunitp nparatnrS contend fha-
have placed the matter before the
Colorado officials connected with the
fuel administration, but have had no
results. They declare they viii pre-
sent the matter to Washington.
Lawson Suggests Plan
The contention Of Inspector Dali
rymple is supported by John r. Law
son, president of the Independent
Union Of Mine Workers Of America,
who further says the war conditions
have brought need of changed methods
of mining.
Instead of working 100 days-the
average for 19l7-the mines should
be operated for 800 days, and there
by bring the yearly output from 12,-
100000 tons to 100000 TONS" he
said.
The way to prevent actual coal
shortage is to employ all the men
available. which includes many old
miners who are refused work because
of former union affiliations or on ac-
count of the compensation insurance
risks.
Practical men in the mines are es-
sentiaL. England had bitter expert
ence in sending her miners into the
trenches and then later bringing them
back from the firing lines to resume
coal digging.
Miners are among the most pa
triotic of Americans to enlist or an
swer the country's call. The thing
that seems to me to be at cross pur-
poses in the present arrangement is
taking skilled miners out of the mines
and failing to fill their places with
experienced men whose only possible
handicap is age.
If the operators do not intend to
speed up and run 500 days in the
year, or more, Colorado cannot do that
which is intended by the fuel admin
istration as a part Of the war pro-
gram There is no question of need,
but Of the method in getting out the
coal"