The Washington herald., 1922-07-30

President Harding's plan for re-
opening the mines under the pro-
lection OF State governments failed
during the first week of ats trial
to bring about any appreciate in
crease in the production Of coal.
the United States Geological Sur
vey of the Department: Of the In
terror reported oficially last night
The survey reported shat approx
imately s.seo.eoo tons were mined
last week. as compared with $780,
600 tons the previous week. This
increase of 100000 tons a week
since the President directed the re-
opening of the mines is only partly
attributable to his U:der. the survey
stated.
In the strongly organized dis
tricts there has been no indication
of an increased production under
the Presidents plan.
The surveys figures reveal the
startling decrease in coal produc-
ton due to the mine and rail
strikes.
Reveal sharp Decrease.
Normally the United states would
be producing from s,5oo.0oo to H.
600, 600 tons at this period OF the
year.
officials of the Department Of
Commerce estimated last night that
The coal reserve, which was about
$1,000, 600 tons when the strike be-
gan, is now down under lo,Ooo.OOO
tons and will be virtually eN-
hausted unless mining is resumed
within two weeks.
Because of this critical coal situ-
alton Secretary Hoover, as chair
man OF President Harding's fuel
distribution committee. yesterday
Announced a ban on the exporta-
ton of coal and strict limitations
on the use Of il for ounkerihs
ships. He also warned Canada that
it should seek Supplies from other
countries than the United states.
In a statement Secretary Hoover
outlined the governments plan lot
preventing profiteering and control
ling the distribution Of coal during
the present shortage.
Responsibility on states
The plar places great responsibility
on the States. The Federal govern
ment will undertake to see that each
State gets its proportionate share OF
the limited fuel supply and then VIII
rely on the States to distribute IL
fairly in accordance with the pri-
ority plan outlined by the Interstate
Commerce Commission
The distribution of coal to all pri-
vate consumers will be squarely up
to the States.
Returns on coal output IN the
seventeenth week of the strike (July
24-2e) give the first test of the re-
sponse to the invitation to reopen,
said the statement Of the Geological
Survey.
production is running at the rate
of $500. 600 tons. as compared with
$1,000 tons last week. This in
crease is partly due to more men at
work in Pennsylvania, partly to i'm
proved car supply in Southern West
Virginia, and partly to heavier ship
ments from Alabama and the far
West. Production of anthracite mines
remains practically zero.
There lie no indication of increased
production in response to the invita-
ton to reopen mines in any of the
strongly organized districts. More
coal is coming out of the former nom
union fields of Pennsylvania and a
little more from the Fairmont and
Kanawha districts of West Virginia.
but the additional supply from these
sources is not yet significant in COM
parison with the requirements Of the
country.
The decrease In coal production
since June is attributable to traffic
congestion resulting from the shop
mems strike. In the middle Appa-