Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-08-24
COAL SHORTAGE
VIEWS CONFLICT
OPERATORS ASSOCIATION SAYS
NO ALARM NEED BE FELT If
PLANS ARE CARRIED OUT.
MUST INCREASE CAR SUPPLY
Full Cooperation of the Miners Is
Necessary, for Figures of the Geo
logical Survey Show Existence OF a
Real Shortage.
Rv JAmEs 3. HoRNADAY.

BY JAMES p. HoRNADAY.
Washington.-There are still con-
flicting views as to the seriousness or
the bituminous coal supply problem
and the solution thereof, but concert
ed action taken by the interstate COM
merce commission, the bituminous coal
operators and the railroads has tended
to develop assurance that the nation
will get through the coming winter
safely.
The National Coal association, which
is composed of approximately Z.lOo
bituminous coal operators. announces
that no alarm need be felt by the pub
lie as to a coal famine this winter IL
the comprehensive plans which nave
been worked out are executed to the
fullest extent. Cooperation must come
not alone from the railroads, the as
ISOLATION says, but also from the
miners, who must dig coal needed to
fill the cars.
The plans referred to provide for
an increase of 25 per cent in open-top
car supply so as to insure the ship
ment from the bituminous mines or
approximately 100000 tons of coal
a week from now until the end of the
present coal year, which is April L,
1921. The program also calls for
priority in soft coal shipments to the
Great Lake ports in the Northwest
and to tidewater ports for New Eng
land. These two sections of the coun-
try would be most seriously affected
If an actual coal famine should de-
velop and therefore they are being
given first consideration.
Geological Surveys Figures.
The bituminous coal operators con-
tend that a real coal shortage exists,
and use figures published by the Unit
ed States geological survey to back up
their contention. According to the sur
vey's figures, the output from all the
soft coal mines for the six months
ending June 30 was 259,360.000 tons.
1t is pointed out that If the same ratio
of output were maintained for the bal
ance of the year up to April / next,
the aggregate production would reach
$40. 10000 to- S. The coal operators
estimate that 5kaO0O,O00 tons will be
needed to reach this years require
ments. This demand would exceed
the output for last year by some 49,
100000 tons. while being under the
Some of the reasons given for the
increased demand upon the mines this
year are that there has been greater
need for coal on the part of manufac-
turing interests; that the coal opera
tors have been obliged to make up a
deficiency of some 100000 tons of
coal stocks which under ordinary con-
ditiOns would have been lying in the
country's bins on April 1; that be-
cause of the miners strike of last
winter, which closed down the mines
for six weeks, the country's surplus
stocks entirely disappeared and up to
the present have never been made up.
The coal operators estimate the ex-
listing aggregate shortage at 100000
tons.
The lake movement of coal, by
which is meant the movement Of soft
coal from Lake Erie ports to the up
per lake ports. Duluth for example. is
over 100000 tons behind 1918 and g.
100000 tons behind 1919.
Making Assets of crippIes.
The work of reclaiming for useful
ness persons who are injured in indus
tr Twill soon begin with the federal
government cooperating with the
states in an effort TO solve the prob
lem of the industrial cripple.
Seven states-Minnesota, New York
Oregon, South Dakota, Indiana, Ar
kansas and Arizona-have practically
completed the plan to be followed in
each state, and these plans will be
submitted soon to the federal board
for vocational education. Under a
new law, approved by President Will
son just before congress adjourned in
June, the federal government will
match dollar for dollar the funds an.
propriated by any state for the re-
education for useful employment of
those who have been incapacitated by
injury.
The work of industrial rehabilitation
will primarily be carried on by the
states, the federal government aiding
financially and through the federal
board of vocational education super
vising and guiding the states. Within
few years, officers of the federal
board anticipated that the industrial
rehabilitation work will be patton
wide
Four Years to Try Plan.
1t is not proposed that the federal
government shall take the disabled
men and train them, but that each
state shall have the cooperation of
the government in allotment of funds,
there being $4,000 available for use
before July 1, 1921. and 100000 for
each of the three succeeding wears.
State allotments of this money will
be on a pro rata basis Of population.
with a minimum allowance set at S.
900.
The four-year period is expected to