The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-10-15

was issued by him to Mr.. Clement in
explanation of the fuel situation III
Burlington, as well as other parts of
Vermont
Burlington, VT, Oct. 13, 1920
His Excellency,
the Governor of Vermont,
The Hon, Perclval w. Clement,
Montpelier, vt.
Dear Sir
Referring to the conference with
representatives of the railroads serving
Vermont, and the larger dealers who
sell and distribute coal for consumpt-
ion in that state which was held in
burlington this morning.
In accordance with your request. IL
affords me pleasure to reduce to writ
ing the statements | then made, viz .
The quantity of domestic sizes OF an
thracite allotted to the state of Yer
mont by the United States Fuel Ad-
ministration aggregated 316,S50 tons.
During the coal year ended March 81.
1919 1.-TWO months estimated), the
quantity of coal delivered for consum-
tion in Vermont aggregated 315 ,215
tons. Therefore, IL would appear that
the total tonnage of domestic sizes OF
itNuiAGh dlliiNpliJ W iASGe
the needs of hte citizens of Vermont
is between 315, 900 and 100000 tons.
\ During the coal year ended March
81, 1918, the Hudson Coal company
sold for delivery in the state OF Yer
mont, 220,S49 tons and during the year
ended March 81 1920, 24S,616 tons, so
that this company produces between
20 and so per cent Of the total tonnage
80 Hnrnaetfa aty nf n hro Tifn
sumed in the safe of Vermont.
Our program for the coal year end
ing March 81. 1921, contemplates de-
livery Of 255,S76 tons of domestic sizes
of anthracite for movement to Yer
mont On the basis of equal monthly
deliveries this would call for 127 1888
tons for the first half of the coal year,
that is, for the six months ending
September 30, 1920. During said six
months the actual deliveries aggre-
gated 1862 tons or within 2,700 tons
of our program. These deliveries have
been accomplished Notwithstanding a
substantial reduction in our total pro-
Iduction for said period.
In making the d distribution of this
coal, 1t has been the practice, so far
as conditions would permit, to give to
each community its fair proportion OF
the total so that each community has
received approximately 80 per cent OF
the tonnage allotted to it for the coal
year.
We are behind in our program about
about LOO tons for the city Of Bur
lington and about 500 tons for the town
OF Manchester otherwise, the tonnage
to each community is approximately
the program figures for the said six
months period.
Unless some causes beyond our con
troll intervene. we expect to deliver
to the several communities of the State
OF Vermont approximately the tonnage
ca led for by our program and which,
las stated above, amounts in the aggre-
gate to 255,S76 tons out OF total Of
3l5 600 or 100000 tons required from
lall sources.
With a few exceptions, | am OF the
opinion that the present feeling OF
alarm as TO the anthracite coal supply
for the State of Vermont Is. in common
W tn the situation in other States, due
to feeling of alarm rather than due TO
an actual shortage In the quantity OF
coal delivered to date This situation
may be attributed to two causes, first,
the newspaper articles which have
caused the people to believe there is
an actual shortage in production and.
second, the desire OF the dealers 10
convert their coal into cash as quickly
as possible in order to meet their IL
nancial obligations and to prevent 9th
er dealers making inroads on their
trade.
The hrst cause has resulted In con-
sumers placing orders for greater
quantity OF coal than normally for this
time of the year, and the second cause
has resulted in the dealer increasing
his deliveries and, therefore. having on
hand | tile, il any coal, with which 10
meet urgent requirements.
May suggest for your considera-
tlnn the desirability OF assuring the
citizens OF your State that there Is
reasonable expectation Of receiving a
normal supply OF coal and at least sum
cient to prevent suffering, and, turther'
ito suggest TO the dealers that instead
uf filing all orders as quickly as re-
ceived, they retain on hand, say ap-
proximately fifteen days supply ior
the purpose of meeting the halt Ton
land single ton orders and meet any
emergency growing out OF temporary
cessation In mining or Interruptions 10
Transportation. If this course be pur,
isued all should receive sufficient coal
Ito meet their actual necessities, rf.
adhtwuefra'nlrsued TC .mogz
n Having in mind the experience gain
ed by those actually engaged In the
coal trade.during the activities Oh the
United states Fuel Administrations u
occurs TO me that II would be wen In
all cases where complaints OF short
age In suppy are made, that all OF
the dealers of the town be required TO
submit to you a statement showing the
auantity of coal they have received
from each source of supply during
each of the two or three preceding
wears. and the quantity they have re-
ceived from each source during the
current year. With this information 1t
will be possible to determine whether
the shortage is imaginary or real and,
If the latter, It will facilitate inquiry
as to the possibility of bringing the de-
liveries up to the requirements.
In view of the substantial reduction
In our output, do not feel. In fairness
TO the communities in other States
which are dependent upon us for coal,
that can at this time promise TO de.
liver for movement to the State oil
Vermont greater tonnage than our
program calls for. but we shall DO all
we can to meet our program require
ments.
Within the limits of our ability, how
ever, we shall he glad TO serve your
self and the citizens of your state In
any way we can.
II IL