Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-06-27
May Be Repetition of 1918
Conditions Next Winter Says
Geological Survey.
MINES IDLE WITHOUT ORDERS.
Those Who Delay Ordering
Longer May Not Get Their
Fuel Later On.

nouncement is based, the Survey
states upon nationwide stiLy Of
conditions in the bituminous field.
unless steps are taken ut once, the
survey says, to place the mines upon
| basis of increased production there
is every prospect Of n 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 slim
uiated mt the present time, 1t is said, is
by placing orders with the mines for
| coal Which will be needed la,er on
"Production during the first five months
OF the year." reads the statement, fell
'I,292,OoO net tons, or approximately
| 1850 below production during the first
/ five months of 1918. Mines are produc-
ing coal now at the rate of from $780,
wv TO S,3O0,OOO tons week. An aver
age output of 100000 tons a week
must be maintained from June I to
January l next If the country's esti-
mated needs of 5OO,OOO,OOO 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 off placing their
orders is limiting production, as the
mines cannot store coal ut 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.
1T is believed that requirements for
this year." reads a Survey statement
TO Fuel Administrator Garfield, twill
be about 530,O00,0OO tons Of bituminous
coal, Of which approximately 100000
tons have been used from stocks accu-
mulated last year, leaving 100000, 900
| tohS ~ pS vi lHlS
600 tons 17S,000,0OO tons were produc-
ed during the first five months, leaving
100000 tons to be produced in the
remaining 80 weeks, or an average of
100000 tons week.
THUS far this year production has
been at the rate of 100000 tons a
week. In 1913 production was at the
rate Of 100000 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 1919 lower
than it 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 offoreign-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 u new wage agreement Is
| being negotiated would, of course. seri-
ously interfere with the production of
coal and If 1t should occur during the
fall would cause q panic among buyers
and consumers Of cCal."
There is no use i'm gambling upon
this or any other contingency, fuel adj
mnis:ration officials say. The firm or
individual who wants to he sure Of an
adequate coal supply next winter can
he certain by buying coal now. There
| Is no other way such assurance
can I've obtained. Transportation also
promises to be Il limiting factor If the
flood tide of demand comes at time
when the countrys record crops are
being carried. In some districts 1t
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 butt
minons coal production, and for that
reason 1t Is problematical whether the
expected production Of 10000, 600 tons
can be attained this year.
Shortage Of labor already is a fac
tor that is cutting down the output in
some coal producing sections, accord
ing to the Surveys report. The opera
tors report that from $4,000 to 10000
foreign-born miners expect to return to
Europe as soon as they can get pass
ports and that many have already re-
turned. II continued this movement
will be capable Of producing but one
result--a reduction of the amount of
coal mined in districts where the mine
labor is largely foreign.born, and there
are many such districts.
He who needs coal should hesitate
no longer. Now u the time TO buy
goal . 800.