Evening journal., 1920-09-04
SOFT COAL FOR
HOMEUSESEEN
Supply Near Point Where 1t
May Be Substituted for
Anthracite
PRICES ARE NOW
GOING DOWN

WASHINGTON. Sept. 4.-Productlon
OF bituminous coal has reached the
point where a surplus might be had
for the former consumers OF hard coal
In the event OF a continuance OF the
strike In the anthracite heids. accord
ing TO Information obtained al the Ma
ional Coal Association.
PRESIDENT Wilson's statement that
supply Of fuel Of some kind would be
round as a substitute for anthracite
coal In The event OF a strike in the
anthracite fields naturally caused at
tention to turn to the bltuminous
ielas' for The only substitute would
be The blum nous coal
According 10 the National Coal As
sociation, the present production OF
! bituminous coal is almost sufficient
TO meet the abnormal demand which
has been had In this country for some
lInontns. Juts now the demand from
New England appears TO be completely
satisfied and the situation is not looked
! on as having any particular burden
for the bituminous producers
| The extra dema7d which came from
| the Great Lakes region has been met.
almost completely In fact It was said
~ me asSociH' on lha' iO0 ner cent.
situation would be had in the Great
Lakes regions with only a small in
crease In the supply Of cars
! The production, then, 10 was pointed
/ out, would not have 10 be increased
/ greatly TO supply another extra de-
mand from the former consumers OF
anthracite coal But Just how long
the bituminous producers could main
tain such a production and supply Is
| a matter OF speculation.
In this connection word Is reaching
| Washington from bltumlnous opera
tors that the prices for bituminOus
coal are declining gradually and that
rather severe declines are anticipated
In the near future The increased
production and the increased supply Is
The cause for the declines. 1t was in
sisted today.
To turn any surplus production OF
htuminous coal 30 the points where
anthracite Is the ordinary coal Of the
household might demand further spe-
cial priority rulings from the Inter
state Commerce Commission. 10 Is
known that the matter has been sug-
gested 10 commissioners and some
study has been made of 10 with a view
TO taking prompt action the moment
(. is ASSUMED lha' the anthracite strike
is o continue.
Bu. Notwithstanding the calling OF
special roncillat0rs by Secretary Of
Labor Wilson. there Is an impression
about official Washington that the
anthracite strike will not continue
very long n Is feli hat ihe mi7ors
will realize he possibility Of arouslne
the opposition Of the consuming pub
I'c and ihat I'M doing s0 thov win los
that support which would he neces-
sary 30 a successful strike So The
nolicy Of watchful waiting Is beine
pursued. with the miners being per
, miited 10 make every move.
From other government department.
n Is made known that there Is M
great sunplv of anthracite coal In an
p of the Eastern States. where the de
, mand usually Is found. The coal ca
shortage and the transportation con
gestion and then the increased deman'
hor cars for bltumlnous mines all as
sisted I'm handicapning the movemen
~ anthracite coal for consumption
? and now a fine situation for a famir
is had in most Of the large cities
Because OF Just this situation IN
J anthracite strike holds form SOM
cause for alarm.
Al ihe D,pgTtmenl OF Justice !
was made known that district at
, ltorneys have been advised that no in
crease IN prices for anthracite Goa
should be permitted.