The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-07-17
DANGER OF COAL SHORTAGE
INCREASES.

wise people who know they must
buy coal between now and next win
ter will buy it as soon as practicable"
says the Railway Age. Foolish. people
who know they will have to buy coal
will postpone buying it, and probably
pay dearly for doing so. If there is
any considerable increase of manufac-
turing and other forms of industrial
activity, there will be a coal short
age, and serious one. unless buying
for business and domestic purposes
soon increases very largely.
1.-THE normal increase in consump
ton of coal in the United States for a
long time has been from 100000 to
100000 tons a year. The year 1914,
like the year 1921, was a year Of de-
preston. Nevertheless, in the first six
months of 1921 the amount of coal pro-
duced and shipped actually was 9,000,
900 tons less than in the same months
of 1914, seven years ago, and, in fact,
less than in the first six months of any
of the last eight years, except 1915. 1t
was 10000, 900 tons less in the first six
months of 1921 than in 1913; 50,000.000
tons less than in 1916; 100000 tons
less than in 1917; 86,000,000 tons Jess
than in 1918, and 100000 tons less
than in 1920. At the present rate of
output the total production of 1921
would be less than 4oo,O00,000 tons.
amount of coal was consumed was
1909-twelve years ago.
1.-THE Interstate Commerce commits
sion has become so alarmed regarding
the situation that Chairman Clark mas
made a special appeal to the railways
and public utilities to increase their
purchase and storage of coal. Many
of the railways and public utilities are
doing so, but there is a limit to the
beneficial effect this will produce TN
less other business concerns and do
nestle consumers speedily and largely
increase their purchases the country
will have serious coal troubles this
winter.
There is every reason why consum-
ers that can buy and store coal to pro-
vide for future needs should do so now.
The railways today have surplus Of
163, 900 coal cars. In addition, they
have over 10000 coal cars in bad or
der, many of which could soon be put
into service if there was a demand for
them. This makes a total of almost
100000 coal cars For which there is no
demand now; but past experience
shows that a large increase of coal
traffic in the fall anibNuiner would soon
wipe out this car saxpeusage and Gre
ate a shortage.
TT is as certain aaMany future thing
can be that there VIM De no substan-
tial reductions in fxeis&N rates on coal
this year. The railreads themselves are.
paying for coal prices per ton which
according to the latest statistics avail
able, average $40 per ton, or about
$50 per cent higher than in 1916. The
advances in rates on coal have aver
aged nowhere near this much, and the
railways cannot afford to reduce the
rates on coal when they are having to
pay such high prices for it. Furthor-
more, there seems to be no prospect of
any considerable reductions in prices
OF coal, because the mine OPERATORS are
still paying the mine workers the high
est wages in history, and under their
contracts will have to continue to do
so until April 1, 1922.
"All past warnings regarding the in
creasing danger of coal troubles next
fall and winter have been disregarded
by the public. 1t is to be hoped that
the warnings now being given will re-
ceive more attention"