The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-08-01
FRANCE In HUNT
TO AUGMENT HER
FUEL AND POWER
Output of Mines Has Been
Largely Added To Since
the War.
WATER TO BE DEVELOPED
lie TrocQuer' BelievesD Deposits
of Petroleum Will Be
Located.
WATER TO BE DEVELOPED

stdU Correspondent o. THE Sun AND New
YoRK HERALD. Copyright, 1880, BY THE Sun
AND NTw YoBK HERALD.
PARIS, July 31.-France Is making
vigorous search Of every possible
means to ameliorate the fuel and power
problems, Yves le Trocquer, Minister
Of Public Works told the correspond
ent OF THE Sun AND NEW York HER
AID IN an interview to-day,
"As soon as the armistice was signed
We realized that this was a more ur-
gent problem than even the Fastening
Of the reconstruction OF the mines
which had been damaged by the
enemy" he said.
In the Department OF the Nord "a
yorabe results are being obtained rap
idly, BY a system OF provisory ex-
ploitations We have been able to in
crease the output Of our mines from
mere / 500 tons at the beginning Of
last year to 10000 tons a month.
The present plan provides for the
general replacement Of worn out ma
terial. the construction OF new mine
walls and the pumping Of flooded pits.
so that after five years our coal out
put will be greater than II was before
the war.
In order to do this. however. we need
aborers. As soon as suitable homes
are available for them we intend to
bring In skilled mine labor from Italy
and from Belgium TO replace the losses
We have sustained through war cas-
ualties."
Seeking New Coal Deposits.
But this is only one phase OF NJ. lie
Trocquers activities. He has author
lied extensive research work In south
and central France to uncover new coal
deposits. Too he expects great results
from the oil pipe line from Havre 10
Paris, which will bring in millions OF
tons Of heavy fuel oils.
ALSO. we are studying methods
whereby the black residue from our
glass works may be used for fuel" he
said. TOO, we have been assured that
oil may be found In various parts OF
France. This gives US every reason to
have confidence in our future.
France is beginning 10 realize the
wonderful riches she possesses in con-
nection with hundreds OF waterfalls,
which We intend TO harness and then
transmit the power to our national IN
dustries These power resources are
estimated al 100000 kilowatts, less
than per cent. Of which are now In
use. We have decided on the scheme TO
control this potential electric power and
will devote the current in the basin ana
valley areas where It is obtained.
The River Rhone will play great
tIa t,,,aNr vaf11an N q
under consideration in connection with
that watercourse will have threefold
value first in so far as navigation is
concerned; second, motor power. and,
third, irrigation. - This Is exclusive of
the idea for uniting northern France
with the. Mediterranean by means OF a
continuous waterway Also we will
transform large areas In the Midi into
fertile and profitable land holdings all
Of which is necessary for Frances
economic independence.
Roads VIII BE Improved.
On NJ. lie Trocquer's programme are
plans for highway improvements. The
roads Of France have been left in bad
condition as a result OF the war, but
he intends that national roads shall
be constructed of materials which will
make them suitable for automobile
traff1c and tourist motoring parties
which he considers the greatest means
OF Advertising the country abroad.
He advocates the use of fish as SUD-
'ttute for high priced meats, and Is
pending hundreds Of thousands OF
.rancs on Improvements in fishing ports
md for the supplying Of refrigerator
.ars to develop fully the transportation
u Ash throughout the country.
The construction of n merchant fleet
ls vital to our prosperity" he said. Our
commercial vessels registered 2,50O,OO0
tons before the war. but they have de-
creased as result Of submarine warfare
nd other war losses to under 100000
tens, However, we have ordered large
lumber OF ships from abroad, and
french shipbuilders are turning out
rearly 100000 tons of new vessels.
which will be ready next autumn. These
are apart from the ships which are being
built for carrying coal and petroleum.
and from the vessels to be assigned TO
France through the peace treaty.
AS matter Of fact, considering
everything, we have every assurance
that we will have a commercial feet Of
between 100000 and 100000 tons by
ls22'