New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1919-05-14

FEAR PRODUCTION WILL FALL
BEHIND REQUIREMENTS,
DURING SUMMER.

I CSCuo SOullCll EllACSVlLSt iWIcu UlGS WSIS
opened for furnishing the coal for the
ensuing year that coal shortage may be
expected next winter To avoid it there
is only one solution: a larger production
during the summer months. Analysis
OF coal production records since Nove1I-
Der 1st last indicates that coal has been
produced in quantities insufficient to.
meet requirements, if production con-
tinues to fall.
Production in 1918 was speeded up
for war purposes at the urgent demand
OF the government, and at high labor
cost. Then the armistice was signed,
the big government demand for coal
stopped, the mild winter curtailed do.
nestle consumption and the industrial
added to the lack of demand
Consequently the market was flooded
with high cost coal and mines were
either forced to shut down or operate
on a part time basis. s
The demand for coal has been grad
ually falling off in various lines all dur
ing the mild winter, with correspond
ing decline in production records. The
mines have had fewer orders than usual,
as both large and small consumers have
met their needs mostly from stocks
laid in last summer and fall. Produc-
ton of both anthracite and bituminous
coal stands at total of about so per
cent Of full time output, and most of
this shortage is caused by lack of orders.
Whether we are to have enough coal
to keep warm next winter is just now
entirely up to the individual consumer.
It he places his order now, takes delivery
and stores the coal, there will be plenty
of coal for everybody until fall-if he
delays sixty days there will be a short
age next winter, especially Of anthra-
cite, that will be worse than anything
of the kind this country has experienced
since 1902, when the mineworkers' strike
tied up everything. It may be said
also that prices are not going lower.
Prices Of anthracite advanced 10 cents
a ton on May l. They will advance
10 cents a tone on the first day Of each
month thereafter up to and including
September.
During the period from Nov. 1, 1918,
to March Is, 1919, the loss in produc-
ton has been more than IS 10000
tons, compared with the same period
during the year before, a period in which
severe weather and considerable car
shortage prevailed The output from
the mines during the eighteen weeks
from Nov. |, 1913, to March s, 1919,
Gncluding both anthracite and btu
minous coaD was 81, OOO. 900 tons less
than the next preceding eighteen weeks.
Normally, there is considerable in
crease in demand for coal from year
to year; that is, an increased consump-
ton and a consequent increase in pro-
DUCT on.
Hle-lO Duy SOalslS Now.
Unless the ..buy early campaign re-
Gently started by the United States fuel
administration is taken seriously by. the
consumers OF the country very little
improvement may be expected IN the
operation Of the mines. Consumers
holding back their orders are advised
that the best time to buy coal il When
there IS lack Of demand for it., and
that condition prevails now. The best
times to put in orders with the dealers
for next winters supply Of coal IS now
when it is plentiful and the demand
for it is light. Furthermore, it takes
twelve months for the miners to pro-
duce, the railroads to transport and
the retail coal men to deliver year.
supply of coal. Therefore, It IS 4 good
business policy to place an order early
for full requirements with a RESPONSE
BILE dealer.
Rules for Storing.
s.ss@ =
It may be stated that there IS no
danger IN storing coal in cellars if the
following rules are observed: /. Store
sized coal only, preferably the larger
sizes, from which all Of the fine ma
terial has been removed, and avoid
breakage as much as possible when
putting into the bin. 2. Store the COAL
only IN bins that have no outside
sources Of heat as might be furnished
" steam pipes. flues from laundry
'toves q long exposure to the sun.
The coal should be kept dry Avoid
'spedaily alternate wetting and drying.