The New York herald., 1922-07-21
Industry Hampered.

In an official review or business con-
ditions the Department OF Commerce de-
5 clares that the coal and railroad strikes
have checked the rising tide of industrial
activity. The report calls attention to
the fact that bituminous coal production
for the present calendar year is hut
per cent. below that for the same
period last year. despite the sixteen
weeks strike. Attention is called to the
fact. however. that resumed industrial
activity this year has made consumption
much greater and stocks are short
Government officials are concerning
themselves with the railroad car supply
to working mines. either union or nom
union Many complaints have been re-
ceived from producing fields about a
serious shortage in transportation.
These are being considered by the In
terstete Commerce Commission.
Secretary Hoover. who has been con-
ferring with the Interstate Commerce
Commission, stated that a priority .sys-
TEN must be made speedily effective to
save a fuel famine in the Northwest and
In other sections tN
He pointed out that navigation closes
on the great lakes within three months
and full winters supply must be sent
over the lakes before that time. Ten
million tons are needed for this purpose
New England is in a bad way. but
this section will be saved to some extent
in the view Of Federal officials. by i'm.
portatons from abroad. primarily from
England. 1t was brought out to-day
that 5000 tons Of shipping. both
American and foreign. has been en-.
gagged to transport coal to the United
States from Europe. Sixty thousand
tons Of import coal already has beer
purchased, it is said. for delivery ir
New York. This coal. Secretary Hoover
said, will be laid down on the Eastern
scaboard at q cost OF $3.50 to $7.i5 q
ton.
Priority measures being worked ou'
by the executive departments with the
Interstate Commerce Commission do moi
at this time mean coal rationing. Nc
probable that the Interstate Commerct
Commission will direct distribution
geographically through shipping orders
10 the sections most in need.
A number of railroads and public
utilities already are being pinched
Some railroads have less than weeks
supply Others have a sufficient
amount for three months.
No Shutdown Is Feared.
Cabinet members believe sufiicien
coal will he obtained to prevent anything
like an industrial or railroad shutdown
Secretary Hoover continues his ef
forts to hold down prices. but he ha'
turned back to Kentucky authorities
a complaint from utility ard other Goa
users in that State 30 The effect tina
mine operators there were profiteering
The transactions IL seems were all II
the State and the Secretary regard!
the complaints as matter for STATE
action.
President Harding has received re-
Plies from twenty-three OF the twenty
eight Governors to whom hi messag'
asking protection for the mines wal
sent No reply has yet been receivet
Governor of Texas. The others- missinI
are the States OF Montana. Oregon ant
Arkansas.
Neary all the replies were Favorable
and pledged cooperation and support
Gov. Ritchie of Maryland told tn
President he was not prepared to tax
any action and suggested further Of
forts by the President for "peaceful
settlement. His declinaton to act wa
in line with that OF Gov. Morrison o
North Carolina. Maryland has two pro
ducing coal fields and North Carolin'
has one mine employing sixty men,
The business review Of the Depart
ment of Commerce for June had tn
following to say on fuel production:
"The output Of hituminous coal II
June increased about 100000 ton
over May. with total production. o
2z,3os 900, tons compared to 33.SS2.000 4
June last year. The total production
Of bituminous coal for the first 81
months of 1922 has been 1S7,S55.000 tons
compared to 196. 900 tons in the cor
responding period OF last year. This }
a deficit OF only SSH 900 tons, but con
sumption Is heavier this year than last
Anthacite production In June amount
ed to about $1,000 tons, or more tha
double the May output, although onl
l per cent. OF the usual monthly pro
duction. Anthracite production for tn
first three months OF the coal year
about 2o,000. 900 tons below normal.
Total coke production amounted I
3.03s. 900 tons in June. which is sligh
increase over the preceding months
AS to the production of gasoline Il
May. latest figures available showe'
another new record for the industr,
with total of 51S. 1000 gallons. Con
sumption also Increased from 3s5,564. 90
gallons in April to 4ss.22aooo gallons II
May.