Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-07-19
EXPERTS WARN or
COAL FAMINE IN
EAST THIS WINTER
frye Congressional Inquiry and Ad-
sice Il Conssmers II Buy
Now

coal famine of alarming proper
lions ccnfronts the country. especially
III the eastern and northeastern Sec
lions. according 10 testimony before
The House Committee on Rules By 81
&. Lesher. an oGicial 81 the TEitcd
states Geological Survey His predic-
ton was supported BIZ George II cush-
ing. managing director of the AM
erican Coal Dealers Association. who
showed that the reserve supply "a
coal Is low. that cars needed now for
Transportation Of coal are tied UP by
the movement of the enormous wheat
crop and other agricultural products,
and that there ii an unusual demand
for coal abroad
The hearing was held for the pur-
pose III determining action that may
be taken upon resolution proposed
by Representative MacGregor, Repub-
Ilican, of New York. which provides for
IA Congressional investigation Of the
coal situation BY special committee
Ior Ave members Of the House 70 be
named By the Speaker The fesofu-
Ition provides that this committee shall
LEARN the facts and report to the
/ House what programme shall be fol-
lowed to prevent d repetition Of The
coal famine during the war
Mr.. MacGregor urged prompt action
upon the resolution but presented no
concrete facts beyond those brought
AOnt IN the other officials who discussed
THE situation
The danger may be partially avert
ed. Mr.. Lesher told the committee, Il
individual coal consumers will take
prompt action In trying To get their
winters supply Of fuel now The
great crisis VI Il come when those who
delay try to obtain their coal, be-
cause this viii create congestion which
i the railroads will be unable TO com
bat
OfiIcial statistics as to the available
4 supply Of coal were offered by MIR
4 Lesher showing that while 50,000.0Oe
tons Of anthracite coal were avail
able at this time last year there II
now only 40.000,000 tons The btu
luminous coal supply Ii also Short, there
4 being available nov only 220,000,00C
tons as against $4,000, 900 last year
lat this TIME.
Coal Is not now being mined rapidly
enough to produce more than The cur
rent needs There Is about 10000 0t
Itons OF last years production still un-
consumed He urged that Congress q
some other government agency should
j make an official announcement Of thu
necessity for consumers to buy now
He said dealers we're not making al
unduly large profit
Iii estimating the proportionats
amount each European nation sousA'
Ito obtain from this country, It wa:
isaid italy wants To 900, 900 tons, France
and Belgium about 30,000,000 ton.
each and that iii all this. country
icouId find an export market for al
most ais much as IS needed imme,
4 diately at home, Ii there were ships
Ito transport II
England's export business has de,
creased from 1000. 900 tons annual.
to about 100000 tons, he said, be
cause al the naturalization 81 Goa
mines. shortage Of shipping facilities
and labor troubles
! The committee was much impressed
BY the showing made and there were
strong indications that some actor
will be taken on the resolution. Thu
l,es,-i,,ty xttiil no, fiuI4ad fGi44fArrnXS.