The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-28
COAL PR|ORITIES
 ARE DRASTIC ONES;
 AFFECT FACTORIES
Commerce Commissions Dr. der Is IroncIad and Speci- fies Sequence of Prefer
 ences to Be Observed

Priorities in the order of shipment of coal from mines to different classes of consumers are in effect, emergency order of the interstate commrce commission placing them in effect Wednesday. They are fully as drastic as during the war.
 Alabama Mining institute wlli meet this morning and hear report of S. l.. Yerkes, who comes from Washington after conference wita Secretary Hoover and the commits sion and will present the priority rules and plans to them. MT. Herkes was requested by MT. Hoover to re- main in Washington and act as general coal distribution agent Of the commission, but was forced to decline on account of his own busl- ness.
 The order of priorities in coal 10 be shipped from mines as laid down by the commission follows;
 The PriOrities
 Class For such purposes as may from time to time be specifically y designated by the commission. tNo such designations have yet bean made).
 Class 2-For fuel for railroads and other common carriers, and for bunkering ships and vessels; for pub lie utilities which directly serve the general public under franchises therefor, with street and interurban railways. electric power and flight, gas and water, and sewer works, Ice plants which directly serve the pub lie generally with ice, or supply re- frigeration for human food stuffs; hospitals; for the United States state. county or municipal governments, and for their hospitals, schools, and for their other public institutions-all to the end that such common car riers, public utilities and govern ments may be kept supplied with coal for current use for such pur pose, but not for storage, exchange or sale.
 Class s-Does not affect Alabama mines.
 Domestic Coal
 Class 4-Commercial sizes of coal for domestic use.
 Class 5-Other purposes.
 Carriers are ordered to discontinue the use of open top cars suitable for loading coal for other purposes. It Is provided that ears suitable for iOddlIB COdl HoL llCiuQt UT embrace flat (fixed) bottom gondola cars with wire sides less than 36 inches in height, inside measure ment. or cars equipped with racks or bars, which. on July 1 :, 1922, had been definitely retired from service for the transportation of coal and stenciled and tagged for other pur- pooes.
 Freight Preferences
 Railroads must give preference to freight in tho following order: Fool for human consumption, feed for live stock, perishable products, coal coke and fuel oil
 Cars are to be placed at mines fo service in accordance with the pri- critics mentioned in classes l to 5. Plants Affected
 The order will primarily affect all factories and such operations as brick yards. pipe shops, foundries slag pits. cement mills, cotton ant cotton seed oil mills. They will nct l be allowed coal until all the priori. l ties mentioned above are provided for. If the rail strike lasts muct longer the situation will be very serious and even though it is soof ended. 1t will require some time fci car shortage to be relieved.
 swamped With Orders | The Alabama mines have more or. ders for coal coming under the pre-. ferred classes than they can execute under the car shortage, hence there will be none to spare for genera factory purposes if the priorities ar, strictly obeyed and the car shortar. lasts. Two western roads hay. given Alabama mines blanket order, to ship as much coal as they can.
 This is the very serious situation brought on by the rail strike an, which the Alabama Mining institute .will consider this morning