New-York tribune., 1919-07-02
Threatened Scarcity Next
Winter Due to Rapid En-
igration Of Miners Fol
lowing Enforced Idleness
Buy Now,'' Is Reiterated
Freight Facilities Already
Taxed in Handling Short
Production, They Declare

The departure of thousands Of alien
miners for their homelands and the
inadequate freight service of the rail
roads are precipitatng a coal shortage
in this city, coal dealers and former
local fuel administration officials de-
cared yesterday. Coal production is
falling off steadily, they declared, and
the supply Of anthracite, especially the
domestic sizes, is already far behind
the demand.
Unless powerful and constructive eff
forts are made, it was said, the city
will be gripped next winter by fuel
famine as serious as that of the win
ter of 1917-l91S. 1t might be necessary
to adopt wartime conservation meas
ures, dealers declared although they
agreed that heatless and lightless days
would not be rcsorted to unless the
situation becomes more serious than
promised at present.
"Order your coal now" has become
the slogan of men interested in the
social aspects Of the coal problem as
we'll as those engaged in the coal bust
ness
Anthracite Scarce Now
George M. Dexter, president of the
Wholesale Coal Trade Association of
this state, and formerly the national
president, announced last night that
the anthracite shortage is already here.
A bituminous coal shortage also is
threatened, he said.
Mr.. Dexter said that anthracite OPP
orators are from one month and a half
to six months behind in filling orders
Many of the dealers, he sand, have
sold their entire product for the year
and could close their Offices without
losing business if they desired.
'Instead of the increased mining
activity to meet this shortage, there
has been falling Off due to the stream
of emgrating miners" Mr.. Dexter
said. even if enough coal could be
mined there is not enough freight
motive power to transport more than
is being taken care of at present. We
estimate that the supply next winter
will be about 70 or so per cent Of the
demand
"The reliable dealers will not take
advantage of the situation by advanc-
ing their prices, but believe that
some dealers might attempt to prof
lteer. 1t is next to impossible to est
mate the price of coal next winter, but
it undoubtedly will be high.
People should put in their orders
Immediately. Let them get on wait
ing list and remind the dealer fire.
quently to make deliveries. That is
one solution. BY moving the coal
along now the mines can be kept
working at capacity before the coal is
being consumed as fast as it is mined"
Michael F. Burns, president of the
Burns Brothers Coal Company. one of
the largest firms in the city, declared
that his company is experiencing diff
Guilty in filling its orders He sug-
gested that householders buy all sizes
of anthracite to conserve the domestic
sizes. Orders given now would be
hlied "between this time end the
winter time" Mr.. Burns said
1t is most essential to purchase coal
Immediately, Reeve Schley former
Fuel Administrator for New York CITY,
said yesterday. Mr.. Schley conducted
a buy your coal early" campaign last
year with great success.
War Conditions Prevail
"The best storage places in New
York City are the cellars of the con-
sumers," Mr.. schley said. "There is
just as much reason for purchasing
coal at present as there was during
wartime. From all accounts conditions
might become serious unless proper
precautions are taken.
Ohn j. Stephens, one Of The city's
veteran coal dealers, pointed out that
INC SHuIllUS uOWl or Cnt mines fOr
part of the time last February because
of the mild winter and the recent har-
Dor strike are contributing factors to
the coal shortage here.
1--WE are managing to make de-
liveries day by day. he said, "but
there is no doubt as to the gravity Of
the situation. Mines worked only
three days a week during February
Miners became unsatisted They
turned to other pursuits and made as
much or more money. Then the har-
Dor strike delayed shipments and the
remaining miners worked only part
time. More deserted the mining trade.
1t requires two years before a miners
license is issued, and these men can
not be readily replaced