The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-08-31
COAL SHORTAGE
FACES PEOPLE
OF n. n DAKOTA
Fuel Distribution Congress
Calls for Accurate Inf0r-
nation of Situation
WILL BOOST Ignite
Operators in Separate Meet
ing Raise Money for Fund
to Advertise Product

Declarations that people of North
Dakota have been "lulled into a
sense of false security" by reports
Of allotments Of eastern coal to the
Northwest and the presence in North
Dakota of great deposits of Ignite
coal were made at the Fuel Distribu-
ton Congress held here yesterday
afternoon at the call of Governor
Nestos. III
The situation facing North Dakota;
according to these declarations, is
that the Ignite coal mines must
either double their output or there
must be nearly million tons OF
eastern coal shipped into North Da-
kota. The iormer was declared pos
sible, and the latter impossible. w.
H. Stutsman, speaking for the rail
road commission, as fuel distribu-
tors, told the Congress that there is
no doubt but that North Dakota as
we'll as other states in the North
west are facing a serious fuel situa-
ton.
The proposal of the North Dakota
Lignite Operators Association to
embark upon q campaign of educa-
ton and advertising on the use OF
Ignite to meet the situation was
approved in the Fuel Distribution
Congress in the following resolu-
tion: ~
Whereas on account Of the coal
strike, the scarcity of eastern coal
for domestic use in this state will
not be available during the coming
fall and winter and,
Would Keep Money Here
Whereas, between $7,OOO,O00 and
$1O,OOO,OOO are annually expended
for the purchase of eastern coal,
much of which can be retained with
in the state by giving employment
to miners and, by encouraging the
more general use Of native coal by
our citizens,
# Now, therefore, be il ttresolved that
this North Dakota Ignite Coal Con-
gress, representing the people OF
North Dakota, go on record heartily
commencing the action Of the Ignite
operators of North Dakota in
launching a sustained educational
campaign to make the temporary
market for Ignite, created this year
by existing conditions, permanent
one, and
Be it further resolved that we call
upon the people of North Dakota and
in particular various civic organiza-
tions, to get solidly behind this edu-
cational campaign to the end that
North Dakota's great deposits of lig-
mite be more fully developed and the
North Dakota coal field take its pro-
per place among the leading coal
producing fields Of the nation, and
Be it further resolved, that this
Congress favors such re-adjustment
of Ignite freight rates necessary to
the general development Of North
Dakota Ignite coal fields,
The resolution was read by James
S. Milloy of Minot, committee chair
man.
II Governors Views
The Fuel Distribution Congress
was opened with short talk by
Governor Nestos during the course
Of which he emphasized the declara-
ton that the Ignite coal operators
must expect to build up the industry
only by treating the public fairly. /
The greatest task of the operators,
he said, was in educating people to
the proper use Of Ignite coal. The
only course which may be pursued
with permanent benefit, he declared,
was through the building up of the
industry on a sound basis for the
future. He declared that he would
not have undertaken to give cooper
alton of the administration in this
respect if the had not been assured
of the intentions Of the operators to
act always on a fair basis.
IF you try to exact a price higher
than you should because Of the pres
ent emergency you will lose the mar
ket next year," the Governor said.
"You have said you expected to build
your profits from increased produc-
ton, and if you do so l am conf
dent that we shall see Ignite coal
development not only this year but
in years to come"
! DR.. j. H. Worst told the congress
that North Dakota people are spend
ing $7,OOO,oO0 to $1O,Oo0,00o a year
for coal mined outside of the state
which should be kept within the
state.
Stanley Washburn, president at
the meeting, asserted that the bulk
of the bituminous coal being pro-
duced this fall would 60 into the
eastern markets. Mr.. Stutsman in
formed the congress that "there will
be tremendous coal shortage in the
Northwest in spite of what can be
done. There will be no anthracite
coming into North Dakota and l
doubt if there will be much soft
coal" The railroad strike has tied
up shipment Of coal in many centers,
he added.
Says Docks Are Barren
. F. H. Hunt of Ottumwa, Ia, told
the Congress that he had just come
from Duluth and that with one ex-
ception the coal docks at the head
of the lakes were practically barren.
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