New-York tribune., 1920-07-10
Coal Operators
Aim to Adjust
Shortage Crisis
Leaders Will Plan Method of
Cooperation With Roads
to Give Relief to Sections
Where Need Is Greatest
|. c. C. Hears Arguments
Preference Order Changes
Are Urged; More Drastic
Law Declared Needed

w WAonI4NGION, July S.---Col0nel ~.
b. Wentz, of Philadelphia, president of
the National Coal Association, to-day
issued call for meeting of leading
bituminous coal operators in Wash
lngton Monday and Tuesday "to help
adjust the coal shortage crisis through
out the country"
The purpose of the conference was
stated to be to endeavor to find some
way to cooperate with the railroads to
give relief to those sections of the
country where the threat of a coal
famine now or in the course of the win
ter is most acute. The operators called
are particularly concerned with supply
ing the Northwest and New England.
The meeting evidences a lack of
agreement among those interested in
the coal industry as to whether a
shortage exists. Widely divergent
opinions were also heard by the Inter
state Commerce Commission TODAY at
ITS hearing on the advisability of
modifying its order requiring prefer
ence be given coal mines east of the
Mississippi in the assignment of open
top cars.
Some witnesses said the country was
experiencing the worst coal shortage
IN It's history, while others declared
with equal tinality that there was no
shortage.
:. Ihe commission was asked to modify
It's order, originally issued for thirty-
DAY period ending July 21, so as not to
give SO much of monopoly on cars to
the coal mines, and also to make the
order more drastic and continue it for
longer than thirty days.
Wants Preference Order Amended
Carl Jackson, a. member of the
Wisconsin Railway Commission, urged
that the commission amend its order
SO as TO give preference to coal mines
having contracts for coal to supply
Wisconin, Minnesota, North and South
Dakota and northern Michigan. The
movement of 1000 cars daily to this
territory must be had until November
l, he asserted, "to save the territory
from freezing" This coal, he explained,
must be dumped at Great Lakes ports
and hurried to the Northwest before
closing of the navigation season.
Agents of public utilities scattered
throughout the eastern half of the
country also asked that preferential
treatment be given their companies so
that winter reserve stock might be
accumulated in the next few months.
Their contention that a coal shortage
existed was the opposite Of the testi-
mony given by George H. Cushing. of
the American Wholesale Coal Associa-
tlon, who said present production was
equaling consumption.
Mr.. Cushing expressed the opinion
that fair price for coal at the mine
should be $3.50 ton, and John Moore,
representing the Ohio miners, added
that with an adequate car supply the
cost would fall to $4.
Situation Alarms Canada
In the course of the hearing Chair
man Clark read into the record letter,
written on the stationery Of the Reeves
Coal and Dock Company, of Minneap-
oils, offering to sell coal, already on
the cars and in transit, for $13 ton.
Mr.. Cushing, asked his opinion re-
garding such prices, replied, "Thats a
matter for the Department of Justice"
Alarm over the situation because of
it's effect on Canada was expressed in
letter sent the commission by M. M.
Mahoney, Secretary of the Canadian
War Mission. Declaring that central
Canada normally was dependent on the
United States for 100000 tons of
coal annually, he said:
"Our government officials are begin
ming to fear that we may not get suffi-
cient coal to tide over the winter"