Middletown transcript., 1919-09-13
.c0ll SHORT ACE
/ ON Way; GOVT.
!. SAYS BUY NOW
May Be Repetition Of 1918
/! Conditions Next Winter Says
! Geological Survey.
MINES IDLE WITHOUT ORDERS.
Those Who Delay Ordering
Longer May Not Get Their
Fuel Later On.

The United States Geological Survey
announces from Washington the prob
ability of another general coal snort
age next fall and winter. The an
nouncement is based, the Survey
states. upon a nationwide study OF
conditions in the bituminous Held.
Unless steps are taken at once, the
Survey says, to place the mines upon
a basis Of increased production there
is every prospect Of repetition to
some degree of the situation that pre-
vailed in, the United States during the
winter of 1918.
The only way production can be stim-
ulated at the present time, tits said. Is
by placing orders with the mines for
coal which will be needed later on.
"Production during the first five months
of the year." reads the statement, fell
1892, 900 net tons, or approximately
259s below production during the first
five months Of 1918. Mines are produc-
ing coal now at the rate of from $780,
900 to S,5OOOOO tons week. An aver
age output of 100000 tons a, week
must be maintained from June 1 to
January 1 next if the country's esti-
mated needs of 5OO.O0O,OOO tons this
year are to he met"
Evil Of DELAYED Orders.
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 is 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.
1T is believed that requirements for
this year." reads a Survey statement
to Fuel Administrator Garfield, "will
be about 53O,OOOO 900 tons of bituminous
coal, of which approximately 3O,OOO,O 600
| tons have been used from stocks accu-
mulated last year, leaving 5OO,OOO,OOO
tons to be produced. OF this SOC, $780,
600 tons 178,O00,OOO tons were produc-
| ed during the first five months, leaving
800, 100000 tons to be produced in the
remaining 80 weeks, or an average OF
100000 tons a week.
"Thus far this year production has
been at the rate of 100000 tons a
week. In 1918 production was at the
rate Of II 100000 tons week.
"This production will be difficult of ac-
complishment. The capacity of operat-
ing mines at the present time with labor
now on the payroll is about 1929 lower
than it was last year. This deficiency
may be made up in part or wholly If
the mines have orders sufficient to run
them five or six days 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-
etions while new wage agreement Is
being negotiated would, Of course, seri
ously interfere with the production Of
coal and if it should occur during the
fall would cause panic among buyers
and consumers Of coal"
There is no use in gambling upon
this or any other contingency, fuel ad
ministration officials say. The firm OF
individual who wants to be sure OF al
adequate coal supply next winter car
be certain by buying coal now. There
is no other way such assurance
can be obtained. Transportation alst
promises to be limiting factor if th'
food tide of demand comes at tim'
, when the countrys record crops ar
being carried. In some districts I
would appear certain that, notwith
standing the utmost endeavors OF tn
Railroad Administration and the util
. ization of it's experience last fall, ca
shortage will be cause limiting btu
mnous coal production, and for tina
reason it is problematical whether th'
expected production of SOC, 1000, 900 tom
can be attained this year.
Shortage of labor already is FAC
: tor that is cutting down the output Ii
J some coal producing sections, accord
y ing to the Surveys report. The opera
! tors report that fom $4,000 to 4O,O
q foreign-bOrn miners expect to return t
!, Europe as soon as they can get pass
: ports and that many have already re
/ turned. If continued this moremen
/ will be capable Of producing but on
d Yesult-a reduction Of the amount
|. coal mined in districts where the min
+ labor is largely foreign-born, and ther
are many such districts.
! He who needs coal should hesitat
d no longer, Now Is the time to bu
GOAL
Despair has seized the Turks as tn