Republican farmer., 1919-08-01
ANALYSIS OF THE COAL SITUATION
 IS GIVEN OUT
Present Price Will Remain Or May Even Go
 Higher.

Washington, D. C., July 2S.-To test the correctness of the various statements made relative to the dan ger of a national coal famine this winter The American Mining Con- gress has analysed the situation and has issued the following appeal to its membership for cooperation with the coal producers in urging quick de- velopment of the industrial fuel market
 "A large percentage of industrial fuel users are treating lightly the warnings of the National Coal Asso- citation that industrial consumers of power coal are facing a shortage in supply when the peak of the coal movement arrives. For the guidance of our members we wish to place the following analysis before them and to urge that every one cooperate to urge quick development for early de- livery of all needed fuel. Possibly some statements made in the cam paign to build the market have been over drawn, but a consideration of the com bined elements controlling the situation leads to the conclusion that the most complete cooperation be- tween buyers, railroads and producers will be necessary to meet market re- quirements. We submit the follow ing facts upon which the conclusion is based:
 Anthracite producers are meet ing fine response and every ton is sold as fast as produced. Domestic fuel orders, in the east especially, are well balanced
 Industrial consumers were led to over-buy under stimulus of the Fuel Administration propaganda and at a wartime price. Thousands thus over supplied are using coal on hand and withholding orders for possible price decline. Logically every element points to continued established price or higher level. Coal mines can only produce when transportation is avail able. The rush" for coal cars will come in the early Fall about the time that the wheat crop begins to move.
 The task of moving thes> two com modities Is, in normal years, enor- nous, and this year. with car short age in sight, Europe crying for food and a stiff wheat price forcing every bushel into market there will be q jam" everywhere.
 Because of lack of orders coal men have been unable to estimate to the Railroad Administration the probable movement, hence Director Hines has been unable to make plans. but 1000 extra locomotives have been put in condition and held in reserve. More new locom motives have been de- livered since January 1st, last than were delivered last year. Twenty-Five new engines were delivered last week. Statements estimating the number of coal cars unfit for service at 100000 with 150.000 of these unserviceable on one line alone (The Pennsylvania Ratlroad) seem not to be borne out by railroad figures but g per cent. or fully 9o,ooo of the open-tops are either out of commission or in shops There has been costly delay in mak- ing repairs and in replacing worn out rolling stock, many railroads refusing to meet the repair bills and holding the Administration responsible Mr. Hines has solved the situation by talk ing responsibility and today every available repair man is at work. all shops are working full time and 5000 Pennsylvania cars are in outside shops under contract
 The enormous advance in cost of building new cars 5O,0O0 box, 25,00O gondolas and 25.000 other open-tops) led to refusal of many companies to accept the new cars at the war-con- tract price, and Director Hines is ap- pointing Trustee to place the new cars in service, control their move- ment and settle the price later
 Another element which will con trol. Is labor. Even it the wage in- crease is avoided and many producers expect the increase-a coal miner can only produce so many pounds per day. He can only be multiplied to the mine capacity, and unless the cars can be- moved-empties in and loaded out-the mine cannot produce to capacity. If the wage increase comes hundreds of high cost prop- critics may be forced to close down, thus lessening the supply.
 There are no sensational disclos- ures coming as has been promised, to show direct incompetency but a state of war could hardly produce a moro effective block to normal. movement of fuel.
 Members will do well to protec, themselves and warn their friends" THE AMERICAN MINING CON-
 GRESS.