The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-09-01
HEAVY GUT IN
COAL YIELD BY
GAR SHORTAGE
100000 Tons Lost in 10
Weeks by Inadequate Sup
ply of Cars.
100000 MINERS PLAN
TO ASK WAGE INCREASE
Operators Tell Senate Committee That
Radical Miners Are Trying to
Install Soviet Methods
In Mining.

IN Mining.
Washington Especially Shortage of
cars In the coal fields has cut produc.
ton OF bituminous coal IL, 1000, 900 tons
in 10 weeks, and threatens to bring
about a recurrence of the coal famine
OF 1918, unless checked without de-
lay, according to testimony given by
John Callahan, traffic manager of the
National Coal Association, before the
Senate committee investigating the
coal situation, at its first days hear.
Ing here.
During the two weeks ending Au-
gust 2 and g." Mr.. Callahan said, car
shortage caused the bituminous coal
mines OF the country to lose approx
mately 5000, 900 tons of coal, enough
to supply the entire state of New Jer-
sey for ter months. The loss In ten
weeks has been sufficient to supply all
the New England states for eight
months"
Shortage of Cars.
Mr.. Callahan declares that II there
are not cars at the mines 1t Is impos-
sible to operate the mines to full-time
capacity. "The shortage of cars has
come" he said, "at the time the de-
mand for coal is increasing, and at a
time when railroad efficiency should
be at a maximum point"
IF the bituminous coal operators of
the country are given sufficient cars
to take away the coal they mine," Mr..
Callahan said, "and IL there are no
labor disturbances to prevent the oper-
alton of the mines, they can supply
sufficient fuel to meet the country's
requirements next fall and winter. II
they are not supplied with more cars,
there undoubtedly will be a repetition
OF the coal shortage of 1918. at
lease to some degree"
Labor Unrest Exists.
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
100000 miners employed Throughout
the nation are about to formulate de
mands for higher wages, Mr.. Taylor
declares. The more radical among tn,
number were ~endeavoring to apply tn.
methods of the soviet government d
Russia to the bituminous industry. /
their counsel should sway the NOR,
conservative of their numbers and ex
tremely radical demands should b,
made, which could not be acceded to
Mr.. Taylor said he doubted II the oper
ators could mine a pound Of coal"
Three Thlngs To Overcome.
"To save the public from calamity,
Mr.. Taylor said, "t will be necessar.
to overcome three things: First, tina
we do not have an extraordinarily sc
we're winter; second, that the Railroa'
: Administration move the coal in a res
ular manner; and third, that by tn
effort of the miners W. produce a
!, least IL, 0o0, 900 n Of bitaminou
) coal weekly for the remaining 1
weeks of the year"
This is more than has been produce
In any one week during the year Jus
ended.
All agreements between miners an
operators, Mr.. Taylor said, would e,
pire with the proclamation OF peac
by the President. The miners hay
already decided, Mr.. Taylor said h
was informed. in one direction to TT
to obtain a six hour working day
against eight hours now; q i've da
week, and an increase In pay. The
will meet In Cleveland, Ohio, Sept.
he said to decide IN what demands
make of the operators, and there wi
be a joint conference between oper
tors and miners at Buffalo Sept. 2k.
Situation Very Serious.
IF this convention of Sept. rs fai
In agreement" Mr.. Taylor said. {
do not know whether we are going
be able to mine any coal or not.
very seriously doubt whether we wi
with that condition confronting US
the mining world. the situation is vel
serious. II that goes into effect, the
Is little or no hope Of overcoming
very serious shortage Of coal this wi
ter and great suffering in the cou
try"
Miners were given = substantial !
crease In wages by the President du
ing the days of the Fuel Administr
ton, Mr.. Taylor said, and 1t was n
uncommon in many fields for the
dustrious men. In times Of full-tin
operation, to earn SIS Q day or MOI
but they are getting restless, he sal
Already the more radical elere
are determined to put into effect q
soviet government Of Mines" he I
clarsd.