The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-08-04

Detroit, Aug. 4.-The seriousness
Of the coal strike was brought
forcibly to the attention Of this
city today by the sudden acknowl-
edxement OF the Ford Motor COM
many that unless coal shipments In
creased It may be necessary TO
crease It may be necessary to
company also announced that It Is
IS, 600 tons behind its normal coal
requirements and must resort to
early curtailment to insure opera
ton OF the public utilities. The
Ford plant here uses 1000 tons OF
coal daily and has but few weeks
supply Of fuel on hand.
Up to the moment when the Ford
people and the Detroit Edison COM
pany made known their plight, De-
troit seemed in fair way from a
business standpoint. There was, to
be sure, the diminishing coal sup
ply, but all business was operating
on an apparently healthy basis.
The Michigan Central, for example.
is even handling more cars at the
present time. than at any other
period this year. Plans of the gov
ernor of Michigan to reopen IA coal
mines near Saginaw under state
operation may come to naught in
he opinion of observers who de-
clare insufficient protection now is
be ng given railroad property by
state officials because Of the fear
OF an adverse labor vote. Michi-
gan coal miners, however, have no
grievance with the operators, but
,, are striking merely to lend strength
to the national union cause.
Meantime an expansion in bust
ness is noted in the state bank
commissioner report Just issued
for June 80. Detroit banks are still
out of debt to the federal reserve.
and mercantile houses report sat-
isfactcry credit situation. Auto
mobile row has reached the conclu-
sion that price cutting has just
about run its course. The larger
companies except Ford are practic-
ally down to an even basis on
standard models.
| ST. LOUIS.
St. Louis, Aug. 4.-The vigorous
efforts which commerce is making
to keep. under way, despite the re-
tarding Influences Of both coal and
railroad strikes, is the best actual
demonstration that fundamental
conditions are normal and conf
dence firm With these strikes
ended, the volume. Of fall business
would be immense. While more is
heard of the railroad rather than
the coal strike, the latter is by far
the more hurtful.
Many small factories in cities
and towns have closed, and fue
supplies of large concerns ar,
ample for only a day to three
weeks. Public utilities, hospitals
and public institutions are shor,
or out Of fuel. Towns which have
no train service, or infrequent
service, on account Of the raj
strike. complain of business stag.
nation.
Farmers, to save crops, arr
trucking their products to market
Buying has diminished. Manufac-
turers are holding their own a!
we'll as they can. The situation, a:
a whole, however, is growing 81
acute that an impatient public opin
ion may soon demand the produc
ton Of coal under any circum
stances.
i ATLANTA.
I Atlanta, Aug. 4.-The latest esti
mate Of the cotton crop by the gov
: eminent, UNFOLDING the belief il
this section that the yield will b,
, nearer 100000. than 10000 90,
bales, has given business a NOR,
optimistic outlook. Even bette
, prices are in prospect as the sea
SON nroOraccac ord Tho ror<,;r -, .,