The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1920-07-24
GOVERNOR HART FEARFUL
OF COMING COAL SHORTAGE

The communication is from Cover
nor Hart, is as follows:
Investigations l have had made
disclose that we are threatened this
fall and winter with the worst fuel
shortage this state has ever known.
unless prompt steps are taken to
prevent.
am addressing this letter to you
and to other leading newspaper men
of the state and am also writing to
the coal operators and coal miners
to urge prompt and earnest co-opera-
tion and through newspaper adrer-
tising and publicity to prevent, if
possible, the suffering which such q
shortage would entail.
Federal authorities contend there
is an acute coal shortage already in
the "Northwest," meaning the terri
tory tributary to the Great Lakes.
Some coal operators of the eastern
portion of the United Sttaes deny
this. Considerable press publicity has
been given this controversy using
the phrase northwest" but not
meaning to refer to Pacific North
west. In any event. we in this state
must realize the situation that in
order to meet this alleged shortage
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, which is now exclusively direct
ing the distribution of railroad
freight cars, has restricted the use
of coal cars to the movement Of
coal, and has issued instructions to
the lines serving the Pacific North
west to turn over all available coal
cars to their eastern connections, and
has also advised the iron and steel
districts that coal cars must not be
loaded for Pacific Coast points OF
beyond the reach of the coal mines.
As consequence the Pacific North
west is being drained of all coal cars
although at the present time there
is an ample supply here to move all
of the coal that can be produced by
our mines.
1t is quite apparent, however, that
this will not continue if coal cars
which ordinarily reach this territory
loaded with iron and steel articles,
and other open top car commodities,
are prevented from moving to us. At
the present time the mines west Of
the Cascade Mountains are running
not to exceed four and one-half days
week, or Approximately 70 per
cent. time. 1t would be greatly to
the advantage of the coal operators
and miners if this time could be in
creased to full time.
The movement in this state, to
change oil burning equipment to
coal burning is rapidly progressing
and it is estimated that in from
three to ten months very large
percentage of the present fuel oil
burning industries, lighting plants,
etc, will be converted into coal burn
ors, and this will greatly increase the
demand for coal. 1t is, therefore,
quite apparent that while at present
we have 100 per cent. cars and 70
per cent. coal production, that unless
we take advantage of the situation
and store coal for the winter months
severe shortage may be anticipated
because it is quite q different mat
ter to have 100 per cent. production
and IS per cent cars.
With the shortage existing in the
East it will be impossible for us to
secure any consideration from the
Interstate Commerce Commission be-
cause the cars will be supplied to
the territory furnishing coal for
what might be considered the more
essential industries.
In other words, unless much of the
coal is promptly mined and delivered,
it will be impossible during the cold
weather to move it from mine to
consumer and it should also be
borne in mind that at this time
streets and highways are in excel
lent condition for local deliveries
which could be made much more eX-
peditiously and cheaply than over
wet, muddy and slushy streets
My idea is that the fuel producers
and dealers should institute an i'm
mediate campaign of aggressive
newspaper advertising coupled with
personal solicitation of consumers
and prospective consumers. l feel
confident that the newspapers will
gladly cooperate in their news and
editorial columns to encourage early
purchases by consumers. l am adj
vised that the operators and miners
will do all in their power to have
ample fuel available for early dis
tribution. | am urging the fuel deal
ers that in view Of the fact that
consumers usually do not buy fuel
so early in the season, method be
devised to extend the time for pay