The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1921-07-21
COAL SHORTAGE
IS THREATENED
No Indication that the Freight
Rates will be any Less-Lay
in Supply Now

Advice was received this week by
J. B. Thomas, local agent of the
Union Pacific relative to threaten
ed shortage of coal this winter thru
out the country and especially this
section.
In order to acquaint the local con-
sumers with conditions as seen by
those in a position to know we print
the letter in full:
Portland, Ore, June 81, 1921.
To General and District Freight Ag-
ents, Travelling Freight Agents
and Local Agents:
Regardless of efforts to get be-
fore the consumers of coal, assur-
ances as to stability of rates for this
season at least, there continues a gen.
eral disposition on the part of the
buying public to hold off their pur-
chases, no doubt due in considerable
measure to expression of certain, Of
ficers of the administration leading
the consuming public to believe there
will be a reduction in freight rates
during the coming season.
"There is nothing in the situation
that would JUSTIFY such belief, for
the simple reason that freight rates
cannot be reduced until transporta-
ton costs have been substantially
lowered and that has not yet been ac-
complished. / wrote you along SINH
lar lines on May 9th, and at this time
reproduce the following kilograms,
copies of which have been sent to me
by Mr.. F. w. Robinson, Freight Traf-
fic Manager, Union Pacific System:
Utah Coal Operators, by Cameron
Coal Co., dated June 3rd, to Hon.
Herbert Hoover, Secretary of Com
merce, Washington d. c.:
Government departments recent
ly advised public that unless coal was
freely stored during summer months
coal panic would ensue during COM
ing winter and Congressional Com
mittee reporting on Senate Bill S.
$50, expressed similar view. This
correct statement of situation was ac-
copied and acqiesced in by consum-
ing public. However, telegraphie an
nouncement of President Harding's
recent interview with Interstate Com
merce Commission was unfortunately
unduly emphasized by newspapers and
has resulted in serious checking coal
storage in anticipation of freight re-
duction. In Utah such reduction very
unlikely because State Public Utili-
ties Commission refused permit last
freight rate increase to apply on coal
moving wholly within state. Coal
mines in this field working only 20
to 25 per cent time and further re-
auctions would be completely demon
Ializing. If not inconsistent with pol
icy of your department would very
much appreciate an expression from
you as to whether or not you have
information regarding immediate coal
freight decreases in Western states as
well as your views concerning sum-
mer storage-in fact, permit us to
suggest that an official expression to
Associated Press and others from
Washington as to whether or not any
proposed freight reduction will apply
to coal would result in clarifying pres
ent uncertainty which is causing stag
nation on coal business. Continued
disposition on part of consuming pub
lie to delay storing coal will unques-
tionably bring about serious condi-
ton this winter
"Mr. Hoover's reply of June 2, fol-
lows:
4 have no information that leads