The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1919-10-03
COAL SHORTAGE
ON WAY; GOVT.
SAYS BUY NOW

The United States Geological Survey
announces from Washington the prob
ability Of another general coal short
age next fall and winter. The an
nouncement is based, the Survey
states, upon nationwide study Of
conditions In the bituminous field.
Unless steps are taken at once, the
Survey says, to place the mines upon
basis of increased production there
is every prospect of a repetition to
some degree Of the situation that pre-
vailed in the United States during the
winter Of 1917-1S.
The only way production can be slim
ulated at the present time. 1t Is said, is
BY placing orders with the mines for
coal which will be needed later ON.
'Prnduction during the first five months
of the: year." reads the statement, "fell
57,292, 600 net tons, or approximately
ESQ below production during the first
Ave months OF 1918. Mines are produc-
ing coal now at the rate of from 5000.
600 to S,500,000 tons week. An aver
age output Of 10,700,0O0 tons week
must be maintained from June / to
January / next IL the country's esti-
mated needs of 50000O,0O0 tons this
year are to be met
EWl 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.
at Is believed that requirements fol
this year." reads Survey statement
/ to Fuel Administrator Garfield, twill
be about 530,000000 tons Of bituminous
coal, of which approximately 100000
tons have been used from stocks accu-
mulated last year, leaving 100000 700
tons to be produced. OF this 100000
600 tons 17S,000,000 tons were produc-
ed during the first five months, leaving
322,000i000 tons to be produced In the
remaining 80 weeks, or an average OF
100000 tons week.
"Thus far this production has
been at the rate of S,200Q00 tons a
week. In 1918 production was at the
rate of 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 10q6 lower
| than 1t was last year. This deficiency
may be made up In part or wholly II
the mines have orders sufficient to run
them five or six days week unless the
threatened exodus of forelgn-born labor
i occurs.
May Be Car Shortage.
''Present wage agreements between
4 operators and miners expire with
/ the proclamation Of peace by the Pres
! ident. A suspension of mining oper-
atons while new wage agreement is
being negotiated would, of course, seri-
ously interfere with the production OF
coal and if 1t should occur during the
fall would cause panic among buyers
and consumers Of coal" o.
There Is no use In gambling upon
this or any other contingency, fuel ad-
minlstration officials say. The firm OF
individual who wants to be sure Of an
adequate coal supply next winter cal
be certain by buying coal now. There
Is no other way such assurance
oan be obtained. Transportation alst
promises to be limiting factor II The
flood tide Of demand comes at tint
when the country's record crops are
being carried. In some districts Il
/ would appear certain that, nOtwlth
standing the utmost endeavors of the
Railroad Administration and the util
ization OF Its experience last fall, cai
shortage will be a cause limiting btu
mlnous coal production, and for that
reason 1t Is problematical whether the
expected production Of 500.00O,000 tons
can be attained this year.
| Shortage Of labor already Is asifac
tor that is cutting down the outInEif
some coal producing sections, Accord
Ing to the Surveys report. The opera
tors report that from $4,000 to 49,10i
| foreign-born miners expect TO return Il
Europe as soon as they can get pass
ports and that many have already re
turned. II continued this movemen
will be capable Of producing but ons
result--a reduction of the amount o.
coal mined IN districts where the min,
labor Is largely foreign-b0rn, and ther'
arc many such districts.
He who needs coal should hesltat
no longer. Now Is the time to bu!
:cal. q
/