The sun., 1919-02-21
COAL SITUATION rs
AT CRITICALPOINT
Anthracite Producers Confer
Here To-day and Declare
Situation Is Serious.
DEALERS FULLY STOCKED
Miners Yards Contain Mill
ions of Unsold Hard Coal
in "No Market"

Anthracite producers will hold to-day
IN this city one OF the most important
luncheon conferences in the history OF
the hard coal industry In an effort to
protect their interests in the face of what
Is described as serious and critical
situation" 1t Is the eve OF complete re-
lnquishment OF control OF hard and soft
coal production by the Federal Fuel Ad-
rinistration. Plans for the conference
we're completed by group of Ave per-
sons yesterday afternoon, II programme
for discussion and all preliminary de-
tails being settled at their meeting.
II is gloomy picture that will be
presented at to-day's conference. In a nut
she'll, dealers are fully stocked with hard
coal, the yards of the producing COM
panies are filled with millions OF tons of
mined but unsold anthracite there Is an
utter absence OF a market, cash holdings
Of the producing companies are depleted
in some cases to q critical point labor
forces may be lost IL production be cur
tailed too much, the soft coal market has
disappeared, orders from South Ameri-
can points have been cancelled; there is
a controversy between soft coal producers
and the Federal Railroad Administration
over prices. the railroads are purchasing
the smallest possible minimum amount,
both kinds of coal have been produced at
top wage costs. In fact, the coal produce
ton agencies and the distributing agen-
cies, according to coal men. are demor-
allied. .t',
VIII Tackle Coal Problem.
The conference to-day. which Is the
first one to be held this year. has been
called to grapple with the problems con-
fronting the coal industry. What steps
will be taken cannot be forecasted, but
At..& ~ o..
drastic action. In it's current review OF
the coal situation tho Coal Ago says in
part:
The output of both anthracite and
bituminous coal from week to week con-
tlnues to reflect the stagnant condition
o. the coal market. Not a mine In the
country is working at full time capacity.
Furthermore hardly a day passes that
does not see an addition TO the already
long list of operations forced to shut
down because of the lack of demand for
toal
The production of soft coal for the
week ended February amounted to only
little more than 100000 net tons,
a drop of more than 100000 net tons
compared to the output of the similar
week Of 1913, and a decrease OF over
100000 net tons. against the high peak
reached during the week ended July
13. 1918.
Certain grades Of bituminous coal are
still reported sold at concessions from
he Government maximum, though the
high grade Goals are being sold at from
15 cents to As cents above the maximum
prices. with perfect satisfaction to the
consumer.
Operators are adhering TO their poll
icy of shutting down rather than sol! at
"a loss Having virtually done winter
business during the summer. most oper-
Rtors are content to do summer busi-
ness this winter. blding their time until
demand again becomes active, Little
contracting is reported, most large con-
ennners awaiting the outcome of the rail-
road fuel controversy.
Blame Mild Weather.
sowing to the continuance OF mod
crate temperatures In the anthracite
consuming sections. consumption Of hard
coal has failed to meet expectations
Many collieries have curtailed operation
a number of them taking advantage Of
he luI to make much needed repairs
and extensions to their plants.
The output Of anthracite coal durlne
the week ended February is estimated
at 1.144,ooo net tons. which 10 the low.
est production recorded in the last few
ears. It would not be much of sur
DTtse In some quarters to see an increase
IN the price of certain sizes or anthra-
lite In the future Predictions are freely
made that this increase will go into ef-
feet by April l, IL not sooner"
Floyd W. Parsons. discussing the Goa
mining outlook editorially, said In pnrt
Every effort should be made to gel
consumers to buy coal in moderation
fight now. II this is not done, prices
IRE certain to go higher. The public has
been rn,sinformed. 1t has been told thai
~ purchases were delayed, fuel prices
would come down. Instead there has
been an Increase in the selling price Of
the higher grade Goals.
The holdoff policy of the railroads II
further aggravating the situation. It II
the next thing to criminal for politicisni
and transportation officials to set sucf
an example at this critical time.
The sooner It Is understood that Goa
cannot be produced unless there 10 9
market for It, the better It viii be for nj
concerned. Many consumers In various
lines are beginning to realize what !:
coming and are crying aloud against thu
operators who have shut down theil
mines. These consumers forget that they
DO not go on manufacturing when theii
disa nnaars"