Evening journal., 1922-08-25
BY JAMES t. KoDBERT,

| Omitted Press STAFF Correspondent).
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25.-rhe ad-
ministration is gravely concerned
over the problem OF supplying the
country's fuel needs this winter.
Privately, administration Officials
today admitted that a critical sit
uation confronts the country.
To an already dif1cult situation
caused by the coal strike and the
exhaustion OF coal reserves during
the suspension of coal production
Is added the deadlock in the rail-
road strike.
Even IL the railroad strike were
settled today the country could not
avoid rationing OF coal this winter.
It was admitted.
The problem now IS not coal pro-
duction but how much coal the car
riers can haul, Secretary OF Com
merce Hoover stated.
A mass OF far-reaching bills and
resolutions aiming at government in
tervention TO effect a prompt set
tlement OF the rail and anthracite
coal strikes confronted the Senate
today.
Foremost was the Walsh resolu-
ton authorizing the President 10
take over the coal mines immedi-
ately in an effort to mitigate the
serious situation imminent in the
nation because of the alarming coal
shortage.
How seriously tho administration
regards the situation IS expressed in
the following paragraph in a letter
TO President Harding from Secretary
Hoover on measures for curbing
proflteering and better coal distri-
button during the emergency:
I'VE are deeply impressed with
the fact that due 10 the almost to-
tai exhaustion of coal stocks and
the inevitable and growing shortage
in transportation that tho Difficult
ti"S OF the country wlI be v.ry
great even with the resumption of
coal production and unless there is
legislation enacted that will curb
profteering and will give control
to distribution there Will be great
suffering and difficulties during the
period of readJustment.
Now that peace has been restored
In many bituminous fields of the
a production OF from 9.000,-
700 to 10000, 900 tons OF soft coal
weekly is expected for the balance |
II the coal season. ending April 1. |
.e2s. But with railroad rolling 1
Itock crippled through lack of re-
)alrs, due TO the strike OF 400, 900 |
and settlement OF tho
itrike still distant. the primary prob
EN- is how TO place s,5O0.0 tons OF
,oal weekly at the hands OF the pub
10 utilities, the essential food indus
.ries, industry in general and private
homes. Hoover estimated that s.
100000 represents the weekly mini
mum requirements OF the country
from September 1. on.
Fear is felt for the northwest,
New England and other sections
comparatively far removed from the
coal fields. New England's problem
is anthracite coal. The anthracite |
shortage is SO,OOO.Ooo tons. The
strike In these Is deadlock. Consum-
ers have postponed securing coke 4
and soft coal to take the place OF |
hard coal. Unless the anthracite |
strike is settled shortly. a belated 4
rush for substitutes is expected. This
will cause congestion.
The northwest faces a serious situ-
alton for the same reason. Conges-
lion Is anticipated at all the gate |
ways TO that part OF the country. in
,luding Chicago Toledo and San
husky yards. Winter will choke on |
AXE traffic before enough Goa, can |
'e shipped in this way to meet the
OF the northwest.