Evening star., 1920-07-12
COAL SITUATION
CRITICAL, IS VIEW

The United States faces a critical
situation because of the railroads in
ability-or unwillingness-to supply
cars to move coal from the mines. ac-
cording to operators from all over the
country. who met here today In an
swer to an emergency call for imme-
date action, sent by the National
Coal Association.
It was charged in the opening meet
ing at the Washington Hotel this
morning that the carriers have mol
complied with the Interstate Com
merce Commissions order No. Z, cre-
ating a priority in the movement OF
onen-top cars to the mines. only
through compliance with this oroer
or some action which Will supply cars
will closing down Of Industries ana pup
lie utilities throughout the Unlteo States
be averted, 1t was stated.
Committee to Suggest Action.
A committee was appointed to rec,
ommend action by the operators and
make suggestions to the Interstate
Commerce Commission to avert a
"yery grave crisis" in the nations
fuel supply. A subcommittee probably
will go to New York tomorrow to
place the matter BEFORE the carriers
REPRESENTATIVES there and plead for
cars to move coal Immediately to the
northwest and to New England. where
the situation is said to be particu-
larly acute.
Col, ID. b. Wentx Sees Crisis.
Col. d. B. wentz, president Of the
National Coal Association. who called
the meeting. presided at the initial
session this morning. He told the
avert what was rapidly getting to be
a "very serious" situation in the ma
tion's fuel supply.
There is coal enough to supply all
Industries. he said. but the railroads
are furnishing only between 35 and AZ
per cent of the cars needed to move
the coal.
The nation is confronted with q
shortage Of 5000, 900 tons of coal to-
day, he said, and before the middle
of December 25.000,000 tons must be
moved. According to the present out
look. this is an utter impossibility. he
asserted.
While 1875 cars in actual numbers
are being sent to the mines daily
for fuel to be used in the lake states,
the railroads have promised 1000
daily. If this latter number Is sup
piled, it was stated. the situation
would improve.
Alleges Violation Of Order.
The. Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's priority order providing for the
immediate release and shipment of
open top cars to the mines is not be-
ing complied with by the railroads. 1T
was asserted, and these cars are be-
ing used by sand and gravel shippers
and dealers in automobiles and build
ing materials in direct violation of
the orders specifications, it was
charged.
In summarizing the situation as it
exists today the following instances
were cited by the operators to show
the need for fuel in all parts OF the
country:
In the lake regions steel manu-
facturies, public utilities and other
industries have closed or are facing
a possible shutdown within two or
three days because Of fuel shortage.
In the north and New England
states public utilities have only q
few days supply of fuel on hand.
while woolen mills and textile manu-
factories already have closed in many
instances.
The nation Is in the crop of a fuel
shortage. which seriously will be re-
hected when winter comes. with Its
Increased demand for coal, in suf-
fering and industrial shut-downs.
There is sufficient coal at the mines.
but no cars to move 1t. II trans
|poration can be secured next winter g
suffering can be averted.
Members Of Inquiry Committee.
Members Of the committee appointed
to study and report on the situation al
this afternoons meeting Of the