Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

NM the American people II the
Wv nationwide bitumincus coal
strike really takes place
November I, as threatened by the mine
workers? In reaching a conclusion re-
fartling this vital matter it Is necessary
to take into consideration the following
facts:
Facts Of Situation.
1. To meet the needs Of the country.
Including railroads, Industries, public
utilities and individuals. it is necessary
right now that production Of bituminous
coal should continue at the rate OF about
11,600. 900 tons a week.
2, Two-thirds Of the bituminous
mines are thoroughly unionized-there
are some 10000 mines, though some OF
them are not now operating.
3. The amount of coal above ground
mined and ready for use-is variousiy
estimated as sufficient to run the coun-
try for from ten days to one month.
4. Tie amount Of bituminous coal
produced and used in this country an
nually is approximately 5o0.OOO'ooo TONS
The amount of anthracite produced ana
used is between $1,000, 600 and 10o.0oo,ooo
tons-al all Of the anthracite produced
Is used The substitution Of anthracite
for bituminous, in case OF strlKe'
therefore must be very limited
S. Except in the Atlantic coast states
an In some of the cities in states 10
the west of them, bituminous coal Is the
fuel used by the householders to Keep
in winter.
6. The railroads of the country use
80 to IS per cent of all the bituminous
coal produced. Since the war the
roads have adopted the policy of stof-
ing some coal for future use. instead
of relying upon getting it almost day
by day from the mines, as in the past
But their supplies are limited.
Would Bring Famine.
With these facts in mind it is not
dificult to conceive that famine and
freezing will be the part allotted to
thousands II the coal strike becomes
effective and continuous for any ex-
tended period. Before this impend-
ing disaster other industrial troubles
Of the past pale into insignifcance.
While it Is estimated that perhaps
thirty days supply of coal is avail
able for use, IL must be borne in mind
that where one person or concern may
have q supply SUFFICIENT to last for
nix weeks or even for several months,
others have supplies sufficient to last
only for a few days.
Therefore it will not be long before
factories and plants of various kinds
viii have to close down, throwing
thousands upon thousands of persons
out Of work. No work means no
In many Instances for these people.
While some public utilities have
good stocks Of coal on hand others
have not. When their coal Is gone
they will not DE able to provide street
car service. electric light. gas light,
etc. upon which the people of the ma
ton today are dependent.
The railroads may be able to con-
tinue to operate for some time. In
the first place. they are known to
have some coal on hand. In the sec
ond place. they will not have to haul
the coal which Is not produced. nor
will they have 20 much freight Of
other kinds to haul, since industries
producing the freight will be cur
tailed
Effect on Washington.
Tha ,eoola ~ Wa sb,n1fon ara accus-
toned to using hard coal, anthracite. to
q great extent. and for that reason 1t
may be supposed at the first blush they
will not suffer to as great an extent
as the people of other parts Of the coun-
try.
But much Of the foodstuffs used In
Washington are brought from consider
able distance, and must be hauled by
the railroads. which use bituminous coal
Also, during the terrible winter of 1917
when coal was almost as hard to get
here, owing to the big freeze. as is sugar
today, many apartment houses began
to use bituminous coal. and they have
kept IT up. and are counting on it today
As 1t becomes more and more difficult
to get bituminous coal. efforts will be
made to obtain anthracite for othel
parts of the country. and the demand il
bound to make the prices for that com.
modify soar, and to make the supply
scarce The people here who have no.
already put their winters supply il
their bins may and it harder to get Goa
than ever before in their experience
Many may freeze.
Depend on Bituminous.
Out in the middle west and the west
where bituminous coal is relied upol
entirely for fuel to warm the houses
Of tho people, the suffering will be in
tense. The people OF the country, taxi
them by and large. buy coal only wheI
they need 1t. This is largely true o
the railroads and Of the public utili
ties as well as Of the individuals VIII.
use coal to heat their houses. They d.
not lay up large quantities for future use
but rely upon buying coal when the.
need it, or If they contract for 1t. rel!
upon having it delivered as they need it
At the mines themselves. the coal il
loaded into coal cars as it Is mined
and little or no attempt is made to stort
coal at the mines. 1t would be impos
sible, usually owing to the fact that tn
mines are on the hillsides.
The price of coal is bound to g,
very high. II the supply is cut Off. o.
- Soxyp IN q VERY large extent Peo