Evening journal., 1919-12-05
COAL PRODUC1IOy
GROWING SLOWLY
Heavy Cut in Railroad
Schedules Unless Relief
Comes Quickly
INDUSTRIES
AGAIN AT EASE


WASHINGTON. Dec 5.-Coal pro
duction has not suffered as a result OF
the strong feasures taken by the Gov
ernment. The summoning Of leaders
Of the mine workers for criminal con-
tempt was watched with considerable
trepidatiOn here. II was done only
after long consultation OF officials, who
finally determined to meet The sltua-
tion squarely. whatever the conse-
quences.
Reports from Government agents In
all Of the fields, indicate a slightly ris-
ing production. The output for the
day was estimated Of i2 per cent Of
normal, indicating that il may be
brought back in a short while TO The
point Just below 30 per cent that pre-
vailed before negotiations TO end the
strike were broken of.
A heavy cut Is 10 be made In rail-
road schedules generally throughout
The country TO mcei the situation P1s-
senger agents representing all Of the
regional directors agreed In conference
here upon a programme OF train con-
sOlidatiOn that meas a heavy cut In
passenger accommodation. Commuler
trains are not 10 be touched, but the
fast special trains are 10 be elimi-
mated for two reasons. 10 save fuel and
TO give greater use OF The right OF way
for coal movement.
The West and Northwest In the grip
OF biting cold weather, are suffering
from a severe shortage. Industry
G verywhere in fhis region Is being shut
down and many schools and churches
have been closed Theatres have been
closed for days The worst hit section
is that which has been generally sup
piled from central competitive neld,
In which no coal has been mined since
November 4.
This makes 70 necessary. 10 supply
all Of the West from Eastern fields An
average OF $500 cars have been moved
West each day from the Eastern pro-
ducing fields. This meant a long haul
and the movement was practically
capacity one under existing passenger
and freight conditions on the East and
West trunk lines. Many fast trains are
10 be eliminated and others slowed
down, saving coal and giving greater
use OF through tracks for slow heavily
loaded coal trains.
TWO thousand 1--WE hundred cars
day are not sufficient 10 keep the West
from freezing In addition TO his
movement the Eastern fields are being
drawn on from the South and the far
West at almost a similar rate. Pro-
duction IN the Eastern operating fields
Is about 1900 cars a day. Seven thous-
and OF them are being forwarded each
day 10 the West. Northwest. Southwest
and South. The other 1000 are being
or held for the East.
Production In the Eastern nelds
would meet Eastern needs were II not
10 make heavy draft on the
supply for other regions. II Is this
that has prevented a real
pinch as yet In Eastern cities with
consequent disregard OF the urgings
for a shutdown OF non-essential uses.
Increased shipments West conlemplat-
ed will make a further cut in the East
ern supply, but officials are determined
not to wait for this 10 bring economy
in Eastern cities. II The formal Gov
ernment request is not met before the
end OF the week, orders limiting the
use OF fuel strictly to absolute neces-
stiles will be issued
Two Govern ment departments are at
work upon these orders and upon other
economy measures. No official safe
ment can be obtained regarding them
or the days upon which they will be-
come effective. but there are indica-
lions that they VIII be issued before
the week Is out.