New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-06-01
National Coal Men
Fear Big Sortagge
In Coming Season
May Be Worse Than That of
ID Months Ago and Every
Person Is Advised To
Put In His Supply Now

CHICAGO, May 31.-A warning that
America faces q possible coal shortage
more serious than that of eighteen
months ago was sounded day by n
special committee of the National Coal
Association, whose membership pro-
duces approximately Is per cent Of the
country's bituminous coal.
The committee, headed by F. s. Pea
body. of Chicago. pointing TO the pro
duction decrease Of $4,000 900 tons
from January ! to May 10, as COM
pared with year ago, declared there
are grave dangers of a labor shortage
and urged that consumers place their
orders now and thus set the idle mines
in full swing again.
"A situation alive with possibilities
OF the gravest consequences confronts
the people with respect 10 their coal
supply for the coming fall and WINTER"
says the statement THE association
regards the prospect with such mis-
givings that it would be remiss in its
plain duty if it failed to call attention
publicly to the facts.
Ever since the armistice was signed
production of btumnous coal has fall
en- far below the tonnage necessary to
maintain if the country's normal needs
are to be met. Oflcial returns to the
United States Geological Survey show
that from January TO May 10 the out
put Of all the mines in the country
dropped 25 per cent bNJ4~ production
during the corresponding period last
year. or approximately 80. 100000 tons
The mines are now producing coal at
the rate of 100000 tons week. They
should be producing 600 600 tons il
the people are to have enough coal.
"UnIess the lost production is mace
up at least in large part domestic
consumers will be unable to obtain
sufficient fuel next winter, the trans.
portation agencies will be crippled
public utilities generally will have to
curtail their activities. industries Will
run on part time and all the distress
due to the coal shortage Of 19l7-1S
wwll be repeated, perhaps even ag-
grevafed and intensified.
at would be extremely difficult. if
not impossible. to make up the tonnage
already lost ii the mines were all 10
start working full time tomorrow
Already there is shortage Of labor in
certain coal fields; in others there is
every indlca ton that there soon will be
a labor shortage. and the industry gen
orally faces the loss OF 10000 foreign
born employees. who have made their
plans to return TO Europe as soon as
they can get passage. Many already
have gone back. and there will not be
men to take their places, for immigra-
ton is rectricted and the tide of trans
atlantic travel, as soon as peace Is
signed, Will flow strongly to Europe.
In addition, the industry faces the loss
of thousands of men who are seeking
and obtaining less hazardous work and
at more regular working time.
The entire cause is failure of the
public to keep the mines going full
time by placing its orders for coal The
mines are now working haif-time and
quarter time.
'Stocks accumulatedAdurin the fall
of last year have been almost depleted,
and within a few months everybody
will be trying to place orders. Il
would be a physical impossibilty for
the mines to produce sufficient coal in
the short time remaining before cold
weather to meet the remand Fuel Adj
mnistrator Garfield has urged the pub
lie to place its orders now The Ma
tional Coal Association emphatically
Endorses this advice For the man who
longer delays in arranging for his coal
supply for next fall and winter stands
in grave danger of not getting it,