The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1919-07-05
Government Authorities
Predict Coal Shortage
Buy and Store Coal Now,
Says Garfield
&C. B. W.

DR.. Harry A. Garfield, United States
Fuel Administrator, says that the United
States faces an inevitable scarcity of coal
and higher prices this Fall; and unless
manufacturers and the people in general
act very promptly in laying in their winter
supply, famine may develop.
The one little ray of hope in the situation
lies in an early buying movement; but &C
ton cannot be postponed Every day early
buying is delayed, adds to the difficulties of
Fall deliveries.
The Government Geological Survey pre-
diets a serious shortage, because the nation
already is short forty-eight million tons of
coal in comparison with this time last year.
Mr.. Wilson, Secretary of the Department
of Labor, says:
Those who postpone buying coal in the
hope of lower prices are specializing in the
future misfortune of the Nation.
Nothing in the labor situation warrants
anyone expecting materially lower cost of
commodities in general and coal in particu-
lar
Wages will not be less for several rea-
sons. We are facing serious shortage of
labor as soon as we approach normal indus
trial activity
DR.. Garfield, in his statement issued to
the public, says:
"Buy now - in August or the Autumn it
will be too late. A big coal shortage is COM
ing. Thousands of miners are going back
to Europe. Coal production has fallen off
considerably and a shortage of many mil
lion tons looks probable My advice to con-
sumers is to buy NOW while they can get
a selection and DELIVERY.
II feel bound to say that, as see the stu
alton we are likely to experience coal fam
inc in the Fall"
Director General Hines of the United
States Railroad Administration warns the
coal consumer that unless he buys his coal
this Summer he is going to find it difficult
to get delivery this Fall and Winter. He
predicts shortage on cars because of the
resumption of business in general with
which the coal industry must share trans
portation facilities. There are plenty of
cars today and consumers of fuel are urged
to use them while they can get them.
Not only is the country facing CAT
shortage during the coming Fall and Win
ter, but freight rates are bound to go up
and this means higher prices Senator
Cumnins, Chairman of the Senate Inter
state and Foreign Commerce Committee, in
a statement to the public, says:
"The freight rates must be increased
and have bill now ready to submit tc
the Senate which provides for this increase
by July l."
Owing to an inactive market since the
armistice was signed, a mild winter, anc
the consumption of last summers stocks Of
coal rather than the issuance of new orders
this year, mines have been working only or
half-time basis since last Fall.
Idle mines mean that the production Of
coal has been far below normal. Idle mines
also mean idle miners, says Dr. Garfield, ir
summing up the situation; and most OF
these idle miners have been recruited from
the ranks of aliens. Denied work and
wages, these aliens are returning to Europe
by the boatloads.
Already thirty-four thousand have left
these shores, and consequently the labor
shortage is becoming serious. Aside from
this, the war took 10000 miners from the
coal industry; and many of these miners
now that they have had taste of life above
ground, and find that they can earn high
wages in other lines, will never return to
their old trade
Therefore the avoidance of a coal famine
this Fall, says DIR. Garfield, lies with the
coal dealer and the consumer of coal. These
two can solve the problem and avert ma
tional calamity, and the burden of the re-
sponsibility lies with them.