Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-08-25
DELAWARE COAL CLUB
MEETING At REHOBOTH
Chairman Walker Of the State
Commission Addressed Mem-
bers This Afternoon.


Belhaven Hotel In Rehoboth this az
ternoon to discuss tho coal situation
IN general and the situation In the
State particularly. Nearly all the
members OF the Delaware Coal Com
m,s.ion are present and Governor
William II. Denncy is expected 10
attend.
The conference began with a din
nsr at the hotel at noon. followed by
n business session. Edward Il. Pusey,
OF this city. president Of the coal club.
10 chairman OF the committee In
charge o< tho meeting.
The afternoon was devoted TO rou-
tine business and n general discussion
3 OF tho coal situation, after which there
was an address by Leon Walker,
chairman OF the State Coal Commits
sion. giving a report OF the activities
OF the commission.
Leon Walker. chairman OF the Della
ware Coal Commission, was the chiet
speaker at the quarterly meeting OF
the Delaware Coal Club, in Rehoboth
today. Members OF the commission
were tho guests OF the club.
Mr.. Walker gave a detailed review
Of the events leading up TO the coal
situation. and spoke Of the need OF
close cooperation between the MEM
bers of tho Coal Club. and the Coal
Commission. in order that Delawares
interests may be we'll taken care OF.
The creation OF Federal Fuel COM
mission by President Harding. MADE
necessary by the grave emergency
brought about by the continued sus-
pension of coal mining, and the IN
creaslng shortage Of coal supplies, was
explained by Mr.. Walker. as well as
the subsequent formation OF state
Coat Commissions, 10 look after the
needs Of the various states.
Continuing along these lines, MI
Walker gave some interesting statis-
tics regarding the coal yield in this
country. He said:
The maximum production OF
h.turainous coal was in the year 1918,
the tonnage being just under $780,
600 900 tons-the average monthly
production for the six months, October
20 March, being 45,oS3,o00 tons.
The production of anthracite coal
for the year 1921 was so.779,S67 tons,
s,7l4.o9s tons OF which were used for
power. o.5Il.2o6 tens sold locally and
sa,554,5eS tons shipped 10 the market,
or Just below $500. 900 per month. To
produce and ship this tonnage would
require 100 per cent labor and car
supply: and while the labor may be
available I am quite certain that 100
per cent car supply will not be. From
reports il is indicated that there are
approximately $4,000 open top cars
which are in good running order. and
II ordered by the Interstate Commerce
Commission exclusively for coal carry
Ing purposes will be available. This
would indicate a shortage Of about 20
per cent necessary TO meet the require
men;s.
And % YOU see II the coal and rail
road strikes were ended at once ant
both Immediately resumed full opera
ton 8; would only lessen the emerg'
ency and there would etill be short
age o, coal. more particularly anthra'
cite. this winter.
Up 70 the present time the Fedora
Fuel Commission, through its chair
man. Henry 3. Spencer. has confined
.;s activities 10 the regulation OF the
distribution sand sale price o. what
ever bituminous coal was available
for Federal distribution TO the STATE
committees. and hae not included ir
i,s program anthracite coal for th'
suffeient reason that there was prac
tically no anthracite for distribution
The Delaware Coal Commission
working along the same lines. like
wise has attempted only so far Il
handle the b,tuur,nous situation. w
succeeded in getting through the Fed
esHl Committee an allotment OF 900
tons OF New River and Pocohanta
coal. at the agreed upon Hoover fai
price, 20 meet the immediate needs o
our public institutions OState. count.
and munic!paD. our public utilities
Gamers and other essentials. at ;
time when 81 appeared that il woult
be impossible otherwise 10 procur
sufficient coal 10 continue their opera
ton. With the increasing produc
ton Of b.tun!nous coal from the non
union districts. along with the re
sumption OF work az the mines o
those operators signing up on III
basis OF the Cleveland agreement, /
r. expected that the total productio
shortly will be sufficient 70 greatly re
lieve the bitum!nous situation.
On the other hand, the necessity 70
the regula ton OF anthracite daily be
comes more apparent. rresiden
Harding has asked for certain legis
,ston. and it is reported Secretar.
Hoover also is preparing other meas
ures which will give 70 the Fedora
government the control OF all Goa
entering interstate commerce. Wha
laws finally will be passed no on
knows, but II Delaware is 10 get IL
pro rata supply OF the coal that
mined. based on the consumption O
previous years. the commission Wi
have TO follow the plans set up b.
the Federal government. II would b
useless. therefore, for the, commission
at this time 10 attempt 20 decide il
program governing the carryig CNl
program governing anthracite Goa
but we take this opportunity of ask
Ing your cooperation IN carrying ou
whatever regulations later may b
found necessary. and we see no rea
son why you should not. at this meet
Ing. which I understand Is your las
regular meeting of the year, Civ
consideration 10 the problems whic
VII confront us, and offer such sua
gestions for the consideration Of III
commission as you may deem pract
cal and most likely to enable the CON
nission 70 comply with Governor Der
nsy's proclamation. namely. "Regu
late for the procurement, distribute
and sale Of all coal supplies. 70 n
-,
est number OF our people may be-
- dnripu fe