Milford chronicle., 1920-07-09
THE COUNTRY's COAL SUPPLY

The continuing depletion of coal at the mines anc
the inability of the railroads fully supply the coal
mines with has been causing great deal con-
in Washington; and the old champions of gov
ownership" ideas in evidence trying
to show that the railroads under private ownership are
operating their greatest efficiency They even
crying out again for government operation" the
mines
There is ignoring the fact that the Govern
ment did not supply new equipment for the railroads
when the Railroad Administration charge: and it
also should not be forgotten that past five years
the railroads have been upset by political interfer-
that investments in this class of slowed
down. and new developments came to a standstill
Handicapped every side. the Commission on Car
Service of the Railroad Association with the
cooperation OF the Interstate Commerce Commission has
been doing fine service for the country in fighting
against a coal famine
In spite of strikes and insuficiency of labor and the
resulting congestion and in spite of the shortage of
the railroads transported 4OOOOOO net tons
of bituminous coal in of the production during
corresponding period of 1919 The year92O still ap
prOxmately 16,5OOOOO tons behind 1917 but with the
special efforts toward improving the transportation of
coal made possible by the recent orders
Commerce Commission authorizing the railroads to give
preference to coal shipments it is hoped that balance
of the year will show better record.
Anthracite shipments during the year have been 4O-
099OOO net tons per 1919 The figures are
taken from the weekly bulletin United States Geo
logical Survey which attributes failure to make even
records largely the effect of the railroad
strikes.
4 Herculean Task
The best-posted in the coal trade estimate the
btuminous requirements for 1920 1000 tons In
1919 the production 45S.OOOOOO in 1917 it was
551 100000 about the of estimated require
ments for this The total production for this year
to date has been 25171OOO tons leaving 299OOOOOO
tons to eproduced and transported during the balance
Of this year.
This would require production of 100000 tons
week during large part of the summer record which
heretofore been accomplished during the war and for
short period last October when special efforts were be-
ng made to turn out coal in anticipation the miners
strike by the exercise the drastic powers of the Fuel
Administration The railroads hope of accomplish
ng this record under the existing conditions unless
omewhat similar preference given year and
they had given much special attention ship
nents they could with due regard the right of ship
ers of other commodities it became necessary for them
petition the Interstate Commerce Commission to exer
ortaton act. The commission has now issued several
riders authorizing preferential treatment coal ship
lents which supplemented by the vigorous efforts
the part of thera road officials expected to ma
eray relieve the serious situation been felt or
threatened in localities The commission is also re-
urng the receivers of coal shipments cooperate by
uthorizing the railroads to embargo consgees who fail
unload coal cars within "a hours they have un-
)aded the hand.