The New York herald., 1922-08-25

HARD COAL OUTLOOK
GLOOMY TO HOOVER
But Bituminous Fields Are
Showing Steadily Increas-
ing Production.
CAR SHORTAGE FEARED
Householders Are Expected to
Curtail Use of Anthracite
Next Winter.
CAR. SHORTAGE FEARED
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., Aug. "a.
A gloomy view OF anthracite coal
prospects, both as to production and
prices. but q more hopeful forecast OF
the outlook for bituminous supply and
lower prices. was given by Secretary
of Commerce Hoover to-day in a sur
vey of the coal situation.
So promising is the bituminous coal
situation. with steadily increasing pro-
duction, announcement was made that
the Government will abandon its super
priority program on Monday. This will
mean the partial elimination of Mo-
vember | priority orders issued here
tofore under the authority of the In
terstate Commerce Commission TO meet
extreme emergencies of railroads and
other Industries. Secretary Hoover said
priority No. / classification will be given
after Monday only to shipments for the
Northwest by way of the great lakes.
Regarding anthracite coal, however.
officials to-day faced the task of max
ing more rigid apportionment of the
scant stock now available to assure
adequate supplies for householders. The
deadlock between the anthracite coal
operators and miners will only serve
to multiply the troubles of the Federal
and State fuel distribution commit
tees later on. officials said.
Both Secretary Hoover and Fuel Dis
tributor Spencer agreed that among
householders during the coming winter
there must be considerable substitution
OF biSuminous for anthracite coal wher-
ever it is possible. because there will
not be enough anthracite to go around.
even after normal production is res,
sumed.
The btuminous output this week will
amount to about 5000, 900 tons and next
week will reach 100000 tons. Mr..
Hoover said. Within a few weeks he
predicted production will swing back
to around 10000, 900 tons a week. The
problem then will be largely shifted to
one OF transportation. Officials fear n
car shortage probably will interfere
with equitable distribution of bitumin-
Gus. Mr.. Hoover said:
I'VE are deeply impressed with the
fact that due to an almost total ex-
haustion of coal stocks and the in
evitablc and growing shortage in trans
portation the difficulties OF the coun-
try will be very great even with the
resumption OF coal prouuction. OH-
less there is legislation enacted that
will curb profiteering and will give
control to distribution there viii be
great suffering and difficulties during
the period of readjustment."
Pending the passage by Congress of
legislation to deal with profiteering
Secretary Hoover said the Government
will urge the States speedily to put
into effect fair price schedules to which
operators may be compelled to adhere.
He called upon the Governors of Illinois
and Indiana to-day 10 establish a stand
ard of prices, fair to the consuming
public. Mr.. Hoover said that a. large
part of the burden in checking exor-
bitant prices for coal must rest upon
the Governors and the fair price COM
mittees they may designate to serve
through the emergency