Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-06-22
COAL WILL COUP
g MORE PER TON,
EXPERT PREDICTS
New England Preference De-
cision May Create Nation
Wide Panic, Cushing Says.

The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. in it's declaration Saturday that
"an emergency exists in the coal
supply situation. has caused a panic
among 100000 buyers of bituminous
spot coal. which may result in a
modify. according to G.. A. Cushing.
Washington representative of the
American Wholesale Coal Dealers As
sociation. Spot COAL is fuel bought
without previous contract.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion issued orders Saturday to relieve
the reported shortage in New Eng
land. Mr.. Gushing believes the order
will have the effect of creating
panic among buyers for maHufac-
turers. who will be led to believe
there is an acute fuel famine, and
will rush to the mines and buy with
out regard to prices. The bidding WILL
cause the jump Of 81 per ton. he be-
lieves.
Shortage ON Paper.
Mr.. Cushing said today there Is no
bituminous coal shortage. but of the
other hand the mines are 4 1000. 900 tons
ahead OF their scheduled supply for this
tune OF year. The supposed error. he
states. results from figures issued by
the United States geological survey
showing what is said to be the week
Iy output necessary to prevent
shortage. These figures, it is assert
ed. are used by the Interstate Com
merce Commission, and a. COMPARISON
between them and the actual tonnage
at the mines does show a shortage
on paper
While the United States geological
surveys statistics have been issued
for years. Mr.. Cushing said, the mines
never have produced goal in weekly
amount approaching the figures set by
the government scientists. This diff
ference between government figures
and actual production is not unusual,
it is stated.
Mr.. Cushing believes the Interstate
Commerce Commission, in placing what
amounts to an embargo on coal other
than that destined for New England, has
created legal question which may re-
suit in court action by the shippers.
ship w Permit Only.
The commission. acting on a plea
from James; J. Storrow of New Eng
land. who came to Washington last
week to ask for immediate coal ship
ments. issued orders amounting to
virtual embargo on all coal passing
through the Tide Water Coal Ex-
change. New England excepted. This
was accomplished by designating the
commissioners in charge Of various
coal exchanges at Atlantic seaports
agents of the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
They were given power to issue
permits to shippers to use these coal
exchanges only upon assurance that
the fuel would be sent to "a United
States coastwise point. or, if other
wise. that the preference and priority
hereby directed will not be impeded
thereby. and in any event. that the
shipper or consignee will be able to
unload such coal at the port of trans
shipment without delay to the rail
movement"
At New York. Philadelphia, Balti-
more. Hampton Roads. Norfolk and
Charleston there are coal exchanges
maintained by the Iailroads and the
shippers on fifty-ffty basis. Their
purpose is to save time and expense
by pooling all coal. without regard
to its original ownership.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion practically closes these pools to
all fuel shippers consigning by water
to Atlantic seaports. The shippers
question the commissions right to
take this step. Shippers already
have placed the matter in the hands
of lawyers to decide whether or not
suit against the l. c. c. would have
sufficient foundation.