Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-15
C0uNTRYN0W
NEARNORMAL
USE OF FUEL
APPOINTMENT of Commis.
sion Awaits Full Re-
sponse by Miners.

Chicago. Dec. 15.-Restrictlons on
the use of coal were removed today
and industry throughout the coun-
try approached Q normal basis. Re-
gional fuel directors continued to
exercise supervision over distribu-
tion, however, in order that restora-
ton of the depleted reserves may
be equitable. I.
From nearly all Of the coal fields
reports came that fully 80 per cent
Of the miners were at the pits to.
day and heads of the United Mine
Workers predicted that 95 per cent
Of the men would be at the mines
by tonight. In few instances
locals voted to remain idle, pending
q further adjustment Of wages By
the commission which President
Wilson is expected to appoint.
Output Not Normal.
Operators said nothing like nor
NAL output could be expected for
several days.
Stores opened at the regular hour
tOoaSs anu 1oCloAANo UG6aA OpCI
tion on full time. The restoration
of hundreds Of passenger trains was
begun and regional directors said
former schedules would be in force
in a. day or two.
i Shipments Of newly mined coal
have been started from a few mines
and were expected to be in the
hands of distributors before the
end Of the day. Electric signs will
be lighted tonight as usual.
Coal for Ships.
Washington, Dec. 15.-Restric-
tions against supplying fuel coal to
! foreign ships were relaxed today by
the railroad administration to per-
nit the departure of hundreds OF
foreign vessels, which have been
held in Atlantic and other ports
since the shortage Of coal became
acute.
Director General Hines ordered
that vessels be supplied In the fol-
lowing order:
~ Inland and coastwise ves-
sells.
(2) American overseas vessels
| 90 Foreign overseas vessels.
Heretofore the only foreign ships
which have been allowed to obtain
coal were fast mail and passenger
liners. $3.50.
Coal production was expected By
railroad administration officials to
.. be 80 per cent Of normal today, r.
ports showing that miners were ra.
turning to work rapidly in all fields
except in Ohio and Kansas.
Wait on Miners.
It was indicated at the White
house today that the commission
which is to investigate the coal IL.
idustry with a view to adjusting
wages and prices would not be
named until the mine workers had
carried out their agreement to re.
turn to work.
Illinois Working.
Springfield. ILL.,, Dec. Ire.
ports received by operators and al
the Office of Frank harrington, state
president of the miners, indicated
that 30 per cent of the men we're al
work this morning and that produc.
tions should be normal within .
day or two.
State public utilities officials KEEP
in touch with the situation ant
worked with federal fuel admins
tration officials to insure an equit
able distribution of the coal as it i:
ready for shipment
Differ Over Application.
/ Charleston, w. Va, Dec. 49,
Coal operators Of District No. l.
United Mine Workers, had undcl
consideration today the suggesti) ii
Of miners that they be granted tn;
same wage increase applied to tn
central competitive fields. Accord
ing to union leaders, the operator
; and miners differ regarding the ap
plication Of the II per cent in
crease.
The miners contend the advance
in West Virginia should be baset
on wages paid in the central com
petitive fields while operators TAX,
the stand that the IA per cent IN
crease means IA per cent OF tn
present district No. IL wage scale