The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-07-21
SUPPLY OF COAL
BEING EXHAUSTED


ment of plans for stretching out tn,
nations coal supply, now dwindlinp
under continued impact of the min,
and rail strikes, was the immediate
concern today of federal officials act.
ing in the industrial situation. Sec
retary Hoover announced that within
day or two the interstate commerce
commission and the commerce de.
partment would put into operation q
scheme of diverting to essential
transportation lines the coal coming
from non-union mines and those that
may be opened up in union territory
by use of priority orders, governing
transportation. he object will be the
maintenance of the transportation
machine.
Next in order for coal supply from
the diminished output, it was indicat-
ed, would be the Northern Great Lake
ports and should it be found impos-
sible to avert a shortage, the coal
distribution plar might be expanded
to become a complete rationing of
supplies to other industries and ter
ritories as their necessities might ap-
pear.
Attorney General Daugherty COM
mented i'll connection with this plan
that the strike disruptions had al
most made it certain that there would
be coal shortage next winter.
Replies of governors to President
Harding's invitation that they guar
antee protection to mine operation in
spite of strike continuation continued
to come to the White House.
Governor Grosbeck of Michigan
outlined plans for opening mines
there under state control with fed
eral sanction, but comment was with
held.
In connection with a message from
Governor Morrison of North Carolina
questioning the presidents policy in
asking that the mines be opened even
If force was necessary to protect
workers, high administration officials
pointed out that responsibility for
coal production in that state was
small.
Reports to government depart
ments indicated that while trains are
still being withdrawn by railroads,
the movement of the mails and like
wise of all necessities of life is con-
tinuing throughout the country. Mail
cars are being attached to trains
still kept running, with motor trucks
in readiness to supplement this serv-
ice.
Secretary Hoover in discussing the
possibility of coal rationing today in
dicated that imports of coal from
abroad might help the situation, par
ticularly in New England, where the
ports are equipped for unloading coal
from ships. He pointed out that a
considerable number of cargoes had
been coming to Atlantic harbors from
England since the American strik2
began.
Prices for bituminous, it was said
have risen to levels higher than those
set by voluntary agreement between
the non union producers and the COM
merce department some weeks ago.
Unofficial reports from the West Vir-
ginia coal fields, where the bulk of
Eastern non-union coal has been pro-
duced indicated a steady decrease in
production, due to railroad service
disabilities.
Officials considered it significant
evidence of the relationship between
the coal and railroad strikers that
clerks and freight handlers on the
Chesapeake & &Ohio and the Norfolk
& Western roads should be called out
since these two roads serve the great
er non-union coal fields. Some West
Virginia mines have not had more
than a days supply of coal cars in
the four working days of the present
week.