Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-09-09
HEAVY CUT IN
COAL YIELD BY
CAR SHORTAGE

Shortage Of cars in the coal fields
has cut production of bituminous coal
100000 tons in 10 weeks and threat
en- to bring about a recurrence of the
coal famine of 1917-191S unless check
ed without delay, according to testi-
money given by John Callahan, traf-
3ic manager of the National Coal AS
ISOLATION before the senate committee
Investigating the coal situation at it's
first days hearing here. During the
two weeks ending August 2 and g."
Mr.. Callahan said, car shortage caus-
ed the bituminous coal mines of the
country to lose approximately $500, 900
tons of coal, enough to supply the en-
tire state of New Jersey for ten
months. The loss in ten weeks. has
been sufficient to supply all the New
England states for eight months"
Mr. Callahan declared that if there
are not cars at mines it is impossi-
BILE to operate the mines to full time
capacity. The shortage of cars had
come, he said at the time demand
for coal is increasing and at time
when railroad efficiency should be at
a maximum.
IF the bituminOus coal operators of
the country are given sufficient cars
to take away the coal they mine"
Mr. Callahan said, and if there are
not labor disturbances to prevent the
operation of their mines, they can sup
ply sufficient fuel to meet the coun-
try's requirements next fall and win
ter. If they are not supplied with
more cars, there undoubtedly will be a
repetition of the coal shortage of 1917
Is, at least to some degree"
Shortage of cars is not alone the
only threatening situation in the in
dustry. However, according to Harry
N. Taylor of Kansas City, president of
the Association, who preceded Mr. Cal
lahan on the, witness stand, the $780,
900 miners employed throughout the
nation are about to formulate demands
Tor higher wages, Mr.. Taylor declared.
The more radical among the number,
he said were endeavoring to apply the
methods of the Soviet government of
Russia to the bituminous industry. If
their counsel should sway the more
conservative of their number and ex-
tremely radical demands should be
made, which could not be acceded to,
Mr.. Taylor said he doubted if the OPP
orators could mine pound of coal"
ITO save the public from calamity"
Mr.. Taylor said, 'it will be necessary
to overcome three things first, that
we do not have an extraordinarily Sc
we're winter; second that the railroad
Administration move the coal in reg
Ilar manner, and, third, that by effort
OF the miners, we produce at least H.
100000 tons of bituminous coal weekly
Tor the remaining nineteen weeks of
the year." This is more than has been
produced in any week during the year
thus far.
All wage agreements between miners
and operators, Mr.. Taylor said, would
expire with the proclamation of peace
by the president. The miners had
already decided, Mr.. Taylor said he
was informed, in one section, to try
TO obtain a six hour working day, as
against eight hours now, a five day
week and an increase in pay They
viii meet in Cleveland, O., September
9Th, he said, to decide on what de-
mands to make of the operators, and
there will be a joint conference be-
twene operators and miners at Buffalo,
September 25th. IF this conference
OF September 25th fails in agreement"
MIR. Taylor said, Il do not know
whether we are going to be able to
ally NOSlA VI uOI FSly
doubt whether we will, with that con-
dttion confronting us In the mining
world. The situation is very serious.
II that goes into effect there is little
or no hope of overcoming very Sc
rtous shortage of coal this winter and
great suffering in the country"
Miners were given substantial in
crease in wages by the president dur
ing the days of the fuel administra'
ton. Mr.. Taylor said, and it was not
uncommon in many fields for the in
dustrious men, in times Of full-time
operation, to earn SIS day or more.
But they are getting restless, he said.
ALREADY the more radical element
are determined to put into effect the
Soviet government Of miners" he de-
ciarAd