Deming graphic., 1919-07-08
May Be Repetition Of l9l7-ie
Conditions Next Winter Says
Geological Survey.
MINES IDLE WITHOUT ORDERS.
Those Who Delay Ordering
Longer May Not Get Their
Fuel Later On.

n0ittJ Va antthtt ktht4aA Ntat oAttss -
age next fall and winter. The an
nouncement is based, the Survey
states, upon a nationwide study Of
conditions In the bituminous field
Unless steps are taken at once, the
Survey says. to place the mines upon
{; basis of increased production there
is every prospect Of a repetition to
some degree Of the situation that pre-
vailed In the United States during the
winter OF 1917-1s.
The only way production can be stirn-
ulated at the present time, II is said, Is
by placing orders with the mines for
coal which will be needed later on.
Production during the first five months
Of the year." reads the statement, "fell
57,292,0O0 net tons, or approximately
$3.50 below production during the first
FIVE months Of 1918. Mines are produc-
ing coal now at the rate OF from a000,-
900 to $500, 900 tons week. An aver
age output of 100000 tons week
must be maintained from June / to
January / next II the country's esti-
mated needs of 500,000,000 tons this
year are to be met"
Evil Of Delayed Orders.
At no time during this year has the
rate of production approached the re-
quired tonnage. The tendency on the
part Of buyers to hold OF placing their
orders is limiting production. as the
mines cannot store coal at the point Of
production, and when the rush Of
orders for the winters needs comes
next fall there is grave danger that
the mines, with depleted labor forces
and the probability Of less adequate
transportation, will be unable to meet
the demands. The result of such q sit
uation would be an insufficient supply
for the requirements of domestic con-
sumers, public utilities and Industrial
users generally.
at is believed that requirements for
this year." reads Survey statement
to Fuel Administrator Garfield. twill
be about $50, 200, 900 tons of bltuminous
coal, Of which approximately 10000 900
tons have been used from stocks accu-
mulated last year, leaving 6O0,O00,000
tons to be produced. OF this 00,000.-
600 tons It's 100000 tons were produc-
ed during the first five months, leaving
322,00O,000 tons to be produced in the
remaining 80 weeks, or an average of
10, 100000 tons week.
"Thus far this year production has
been at the rate Of 100000 tons a
week. In 1918 production was at the
rate Of II, 300 900 tons week.
'This production will be difficult OF ac-
complishment. The capacity of operat-
ing mines at the present time with labor
now on the payroll is about 10es lower
than 1t was last year. This deficiency
may be made up in part or wholly II
the mines have orders sufficient to run
them five or six days week unless the
threatened exodus Of foreign-born labor
occurs.
May Be Car Shortage.
"Present wage agreements between
operators and miners expire with
the proclamation Of peace by the Pres
ident. A suspension Of mining oper-
ations while a new wage agreement is
being negotiated would, Of course, seri-
ously interfere with the production Of
coal and IL IL should occur during the
fall would cause panic among buyers
and consumers Of coal"
There is no use in gambling upon
this or any other contingency, fuel ad-
minlstration officials say. The firm or
individual who wants to be sure Of an
adequate coal supply next winter can
be certain by buying coal now. There
Is no other way such assurance
can be obtained. Transportation also
promises to be a limiting factor II the
food tide Of demand comes at time
when the country's record crops are
being carried. In some districts II
would appear certain that, notwith-
standing the utmost endeavors OF the
Railroad Administration and the util-
ization Of its experience last fall, car
shortage will be cause limiting btu
minous coal production, and for that
reason It Is pFoblematical whether the
expected production Of SOC, 900, 900 tons
can be attained this year.