Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1919-07-03
COAL SHORTAGE
ON WAY; GOVT.
SAYS BUY NOW
May Be Repetition Of 19I7-1s
Conditions Next Winter Says
Geological Survey.
MINES IDLE WITHOUT ORDERS.
Those Who Delay Ordering
Longer May Not Get Their
Fuel Later On.

announces from Washington the prob
ability of another general coal short
age next fall and winter. The an
nouncement Is based, the Survey
states, upon nationwide study Of
conditions in the bituminous field.
Unless steps are taken at once, the
Survey says, TO place the mines upon
basis of increased production there
is every prospect Of a repetition to
SEINE degree of the situation that pre-
vailed In the United States during the
winter of 1918.
The only way production can be slim
ulated at the present time. II is said, is
by placing orders with the mines for
coal which will be needed later on.
Production during the first Ave months
Of the year," reads the statement, fell
1922, 600 net tons, or approximately
25es below production during the first
FIVE months Of 1918. Mines are produc-
Ing coal now at the rate Of from $780,
900 to 100000 tons a week. An aver
age output Of 100000 tons a week
must be maintained from June / to
January next II the country's esti-
mated needs OF 5OO,0O0OO0 tons this
year are to be met
EVIL Of Delayed ordera
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 Ia limiting production, as the
mines cannot store coal at 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 sit
uation would be an insufficient supply
for the requirements of domestic con-
sumers. public utilities and Industrial
users generally.
"It is believed that requirements for
this year" reads Survey statement
to Fuel Administrator Garfield, will
be about $40 900 900 tons of bituminous
coal, of which approximately 10000, 600
tons havesheen used frosB stocks accu-
INFLATED last year, leaving 500,000,0J0
tons to be produced. OF this 500 0oe,-
900 tons 17s,OO0,OOo tons were produc-
ed during the first five months, leaving
80, 000, 900 tons to be produced In the
remaining 80 weeks, or an average OF
10000 tons week.
"Thus far this year production has
been at the rate VI 100000 tons q
week. In 1918 production was at the
rate Of II. 300 900 tons a week.
This production will be difficult Of &C
compllshment. The capacity of operat-
Ing mines at the present time with labor
now onthe payroll is about 10ts lower
than 1t 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 q week unless the
threatened exodus Of foreign 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 new wage agreement Is
being negotiated would, of course. seri.'
ously interfere with the production Of
coal and II 1t should occur during the
fall would cause q panic among buyefs
and consumers OF coal"
There Is no use in gambling upon
this or any othereontlngency, fuel adj
ministration officials say. The firm or
Individual who wants to be sure. of an
adequate coal supply next winter can
be certain by buying coal now. There
Is no other way such assurance
can be obtained. Transportation also
promises to be limiting factor II the
food tide of demand comes at a time
when the country's record crops Gre
being carried. In some districts II
would appear certain that. notwith-
standing the utmost sndeavors OF the
Railroad Administration and the u-is
izatlon OF lis experience last fall. car
shortage will be Cause limiting btu
minous coal production. aud for that
reason It Is problematical whether the
expected production Of 500 900. 900 tons
can be attained this year.
: Shortage OF labor already is fac
ter tl4at Is cutting down the output In
sou,e caai producing sections. accord.
Ing 70 the'Survey's report. The operas
TORS report that from $1,000 to 10000
forelgn-born miners expect to return to
Eurape rs soon as they can get pass
ports and that many have already 70
turned. If continued this movement
win be capable Of producing but one
results reduction 81 the amount Of
coal mined In districts where the Minis
labor Is largely forelgz-born. and there
are many such districts
He ~ho needs coal should hesitate
10 longer. New L. the time 70 bsy
Eo4L