Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-04
D. c. MERCHANTS
URCEDJOECONOMY
IN USE OF COAL
Secretary Columbus of Mer'
chants and Manufacturers
Sends Appeal.
SOME PASSENGER TRAINS
MAY BE TAKEN OFF
Wednesdays Production for the
Country 4s Per Cent Greater
Than Tuesdays Output.

"SUuCSudy 41ouoCIAoh AVA sAS
Country 43 Per Cent Greater
Than Tuesdays Output.
Strictest economy in the use of Goa!
by Washington manufacturers and
merchants was advised by Charles j.
Columbus, secretary of the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers Associa-
lion, in letter sent to each member
of that organization today.
Quantity consumers of coal in the
District neel not fear. however, that
their supply of fuel will be cut on II
they come in the list of so-called es-
seutialS," it was stated today by an
official Of the railroad administration
Trains May he Taken on.
Certain passenger trains, besides
the specials to Palm Beach running
through Washington, may De TAKEN taken
off the schedule temporarily IN oroer
to relieve the coal situation II was
stated today by Garrett Fort, director
of the division of traffic OF the ran
road administration. after condSi-
ence with other traffic experts. Inc
elimination OF local passenger trains
where electric cars or other means
of transportation might be used VIII
be taken only as final resort II
was said.
1t is announced that the bituminoEs
coal production for the country Tor
Wednesday exceeded by A3 per cent
the output Tuesday. which is taken
as a hopeful sign by consumers.
Mr.. Columbus Letter.
The letter from Charles j. Column
hus to the manufacturers and mer-
chants OF the District follows:
"Your secretary has been making q
thorough investigation of the fuel
situation for the last three days anu
respectfully submits the following:
Owing to the strikes in the btu
n,inous field there is a shortage OF
fuel at this time. The country is pro-
ducing about 40 per cent or It's nor
NAL needs and with continuation OF
the miner strike conservation Is an
absolute necessity on the part OF all
users of bituminous fuel.
The United States government Is
proceeding in a most practical and
businesslike way to .eQualize the fuel
on hand, and it is. therefore, impera. .
tive that the conservation OF Iuei
should have the personal attention OF
even the head of the house, II neceS-
sary, until the present situation Is
entirely overcome, s...
.sTheres is no reason in the world
ror a panicky feeling to find place IN
the District OF Columbia. Just con-
serve fuel. that's all
~ Mixture Ree0mnaeAded.
, s.As result of sdvice receiyed from,
high governmental and other sources,
the business houses of the District OF
Columbia use bituminOus coal mixed
with. approximately. S31s per cent OF
pea or, buchwheat coal
"At this time there are large guam
titles of both pea and buckwheat fuel
on hand in the District OF. Column ola.
For the benefit of those who have
never tried this form of fuel. I would
refer them to a report of the bureau
of mines. Interior DEPARTING nt, Wash
ington, D. c., Technical Paper No. zee,
which gives thorough explanation
of this, and the Merchants and Manu-
facturers' Association is further pre-
pared to advise its members direct
through the volunteer services of a
Washingtonian well versed in the
uses of fuel in plants.
Would Avoid Restrictions.
SIN some sections of the country
grave restrictions have been placed
upon manufacturing and mercantile
establishments. The necessity for
similar restrictions must be avoided in
the National Capital at all hazards
voluntary conservation will be the
panacea for threatened restrictions
and crutailment.
mo business houses should use any
more fuel for heat. light and power
than is absolutely essential. Lights
should be turned off when not abso-
lutely needed, and buildings should not
be heated beyond practical require
ments.
Warns of Local Situation.
Conservation is further necessary
in view of the uncertain situation with
respect to coal fields, supplying the
District of Columbia with anthracite
fuel. Therefore. i would urge the
business interests to conserve in their
business ablishments; but the pub
lie is likewise urged to conserve fuel
in the home.
IF we bring about these conserva-
ton measures, feel sure that the peo-
pie of the District of Columbia will be
able to enjoy a. wonderfully happy
Christmas and New Year without re.
strictions that would be most harmful
to every man, woman and child in
Washington.
Not Many Cars Held Here.
No evidence of large numbers of
coal cars being held in the Washing
ton yards of the Pennsylvania and
Baltimore and Ohio railroads was
found upon investigation today.
In the Pennsylvania yards, .adja-
cent to 18th and NJ streets southeast.
there wore eleven loaded coal cars
standing among the rows of other
freight carriers. Two of them were
being unloaded and the others were
consigned to local utility.
f1aru Checkers repo "a seven load
ed coal cars in the freight yards of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, near
New York and Florida avenues north
east, this morning. Most of these
cars were brought into the yards last
night and are being unloaded today.
Railroad shipping clerks state that
coal dealers are anxious to remove
their consignments Of coal from the cars
as soon as notified Of the arrival of, the
fuel Reasons for. the prompt action is
the possible shrinkage by part Of the
coal being removed from the cars and
the demurrage charge of SO a day by
the railroad for all cars not unloaded
within two days after the consignee is
notified of the freight arrival.
There is no fear that soft coal con-
sumers will be overlooked by the
central committee in coal ALLEGATION.
Already the offices of the regional d.
rectors. who are in charge Of the al
locations of coal in their districts, act
ing under advice of the central coal
committee and Fuel Administrators
Garfield. are flooded with requests for
coal. So far none of these requests
from Washington has been denied
and none viii be, denied IL the gem
eral situation continues as at pres
ent, but in case production falls off
to large degree. those industries
which are regarded as essential" will
be favored with first orders. Private
coal yards, MANUFACTURERS. Office build
ings and all large soft coal consu :
mers in the District of Columbia, as
we'll as over the nation. are now be-
ing supplied with coal on an equal