The New York herald., 1922-08-18
HOMES COME FIRST
IN HARD COAL PLAN
Hoover Admits, However,
Some Househ0lders Will
Have to Use Bitumin0us.
LITTLE ANTHRACITE LEFT
Strike Deficiency Can't Be
Made Up and Shortage in
Winter Is Certain.
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. l:S-. II.
Householders viii be given Gr'st con-
sideration by the Government in the dis
tribution OF available supplies of anthra-
cite coal this winter Secretary OF Com
merce Hoover declared to-day.
To assure equitable anthracite distri-
button for home use Secretary Hoover
said that many industries and some
householders probably will have to sub
stitute bituminous coal for anthracite.
Government reports to-day indicated
that there probably will not be enough
anthracite coal to go around during the
winter months. The long drawn out
strike in the anthracite fields has caused
reserve stocks of this class of fuel to
Gwindle almost to the vanishing point.
1t is now figured by experts that even
when the anthracite regions resume pro-
duction the output cannet keep pace
with the demand.
Reserves vanishink.
Reliable figures reported to the Geo.
logical Survey show that practically all
of the stocks OF anthracite above ground
have been exhausted. Normally at this
time of the year large supply of an
thracite would have been laid by in re-
serve stock piles. Officials were opti-
nistic that operations in the anthracite
regions soon will be again under way.
Resumption Of production in these mines,
situated largely in Pennsylvania, will in
voiye expansion of the work Of the Fed
eral Fuel Distributors TO care for the
extraordinary demands expected from
small domestic consumers.
Government officials to-day recognized
that a shortage of both anthracite and
bituminous coal at the approach of the
winter season cannot now be prevented.
as the strikes have created deficiency
which cannot be made up from new
production. Conservative estimates are
that the country is behind at least 100,-
00o.O tons in its supply of bituminous
coal.
Secretary Hoover to-day said he is
not prepared to say how the shortage OF
coal will affect the country. though he
ventured the opinion that il the mines
speed up to normal production within
a few days the vital needs of the public
and industry can be supplied through
the operations of the machinery set up
under the Federal Fuel Distributor.
Control OF distribution, Secretary Hoover
said, will go far toward helping to re-
adjust prices.
state Aid Needed.
Mr.. Hoover said that it is not the
intention OF the Federal officials 10
extend their authority to purely intra.
State coal business. He said the best
legal opinion shows that the States have
ample constitutional power TO exercise
farreaching price control within their
own borders. and to deal with matters
relating to speculation In coal and the
maintenance of excessive margins oi
profit on sales by retailers and whole
salers. In Mr. Hoovcr's opinion the
States must do their share in helping 70
curb coal profiteering. though he is con-
fident that the States will be greatly
aided through the cooperation which the
Federal Government may give under
proposed legislation authorizing the
Government to deal with coal business
entering Interstate commerce.
Coal price control legislation now be-
ing drafted by Administration leaders
il not expected to arouse very strong
opposition in Congress. Leaders OF the
House and Senate already have giver
assurance that as soon as the Presi
dents recommendation is made steps
speedily will be taken to expedite thu
passage of the measure. Administra'
tIon leaders have been informed that
unless Congress acts to stop. excessive
coal prices the quotations may jumr
to $50 upward ton before winter.