Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-19
INDUSTRIES OF CITY
HAVE LITTLE FUEL
Coal-Saving Order May Force
Some of Them to Shut
Down.
SUGGESTS PROhP: ACTION
Business Man Thinks Committee
Should Be Named to Handle
Local acquisitions.
SUGGESTS PROMP! ACTION

Richmond is facing severe coal
shortage. and many industries will be
forced to suspend operations in the
course OF the next few weeks, il the
drastic coal conservation orders of YES
terday are not modified considerably.
This seems TO be tho consensus OF
opinion held by Richmond manufac-
turers and coal dealers in general A
careful check OF the amount OF coal
on hand at representative number Of
local plants, shows that tie present
supplies Will last a period of from ten
day to three weeks.
In statement to The Times-Dis-
patch yesterday afternoon. Walker Cot
trell OF local coal company declared
the situation to be very grave. He
Under the orders just received from
the Southern regional railroad head
quarters at Atlanta, coal dealers are
restricted from making deliveries. en-
cept limited supplies to domestic con-
sumers. The supply OF coal on hand
VIII last from one week to ten days If
distributed very conservatively. Tho
situation is very grave and is more
serious than any ever faced by Rich
mond manufacturers.
Would Hnvc Committee Named,
In order TO cooperate with the
ral!road administration and to serve
i
gest the appointment OF a committee
IN Richmond TO take care OF the local
situation This committee should he
composed OF representative group OF
business men. including coal dealer
manufactures and possibly an out
sidcr. They should he mpowered to
conssaer local requisitions for coal and
10 the gional hea dqnarters at Atlanta,
Should the government order re-
strlcting deliveries to the five classes
named named In yesterdays bulletin be en-
torced without modification. am afraid
mat It Will work severe hardships and
possibly cause several Richmond indus
tries TO close down. There are only
city, SO the greater percentage of Rich
nond factories are deeply concerned by
the restriction order
sn5s Many Are Hack Mt Work.
An ofticial of the Chesapeake and
last night that he was in RECENT OF
Information from the New River mining
nistrict or West Virginia to the effect
mat 90 per cent of the union miners
OF that region had returned to work.
This is one Of the most important cooi
districts In the country, he stated.
ABOUT 10000 men were employed in the
became effective. November 1. or that
number 5000 have returned to the
mines in answer to Lewis rescin1ed
order. according to the local informa-
Vice-PEesident and Secretary Dab
ney S. CTenshaw. of the Virginia
Carolina Chemical Company, stated
last night that his frm wae very much
said: ne
IT the order Is not modified. I fear
ma. II VIII mean the closing up OF our
OF coal on hand. BY very conservn.
weeks. 'h'ee
:, ReP6esentstlyes R Pns.an Of the British -Amer,
aeciarins that they had been lucky
enough to get enough coal, before th,
strike to tide item over. during the
refused to be quoted as TO the eSact
amount they had on hand
Domentic Trade Cared For.
canvass OF the principal retailers in
lhe city shows that individuals Will
nSo nSor, sailer materially ma, as Il result of the
consumers. such as Offices. stores and
private residences. had placed early or
ders' wlich had already been filled Ac-
toeaohs : ,eso eoe 10 the dealers so per cent OF
10 last through the winter
Inc hve classes. which the curtaI-
nent instructions will not affect for the
Tune being are railroads. inland and
coastwise vessels, army and navy and
certain government departments. state
20 mun!clpal and county institutions, pub
~ Utilities, lncluuinS ncWSplDerS
ana retailers to domestic consumers
Continue to Take Orders.
Local railroad administration officials
announced that they have received q
ders from the regional Lcadquarters
to continue accepting orders from ap-
pilcants, not included in the five most
vital classes These acquisitions will
be sent to the Southern region Offices.
where they will be kept on .Hle Full
fliment of these orders will occur as
soon as cxpedient, when the present
crisis is relieved. they said
Although the new orders seem dras-
TIC and appear as though they may
cause several Richmond Industries to
close. we, who arc in touch with the
situation, arc sure that this will not
come TO pass" declared one railroad
official. who did not wish his maine
published
Continuing, he said he was I'm nos
session Of information that promIscd r
speedy settlement OF the crisis and
declared that the present orders wouid
be enforced as temporary measure
solely.