Evening star., 1922-07-23
MAKING NATIONAL SURVEY
OF THE COAL SITUATION
United States Chamber of Commerce
Preparing to Assist Government if
Rationing Is Necessary.

needs.
Now. just what is the situation, as
shown by government statistics and
the Investigations of men who know
the coal business and the industrial
load?
Below the Danger Mark.
In 1920, the stock pile of industrial
coal in this country got down to 20
100000 tons. The geological survey
has emphasized repeatedly that when
the pile gets as low as that there is
very likely to be a panic. This 2o,-
000. 900 tons all over the United States
represents not any reserve supply but
a mere sweeping of the bins. Today
the supply is considerably below this
10000. 900 tons-and bins have been
swept cleaner than ever before.
Add to this the fact that the pro-
duction from mines that have been
working in unorganized fields and
some few unionized fields, is INSULT
cient to meet consumption demands
100000 tons a week
The normal production of bitumin-
Gus coal has been, approximately,
500 100000 tons a year pincS 1919. OF
this not more than 10 Der Sont II used
in households. The probation of an
tracite, or hard" coal, for home con-
sumption. is normally so,o00.ooo tons
a year, and of this 70 per cent is used
in the homes, which 70 per cent just
about balances the 10 per cent Of btu
minous coal used In the homes.
Based on an even distribution of
coal throughout the country, 1t Is fig
ured that tho existing supply will be
exhausted by August I. Even II all
the union mines go back operating,
as President Harding requests, 1t will
be fifteen to twenty days before there
can be a full distribution. This esti-
mate is based on the time it will
probably take to get the mines into
full working order after long period
of idleness. The potential production
of bituninous coal is estimated at
$50, ,o0O, 900 tons a year.
Ind dAstrial Situation Serious.
If operations are not resumed be-
fore August !, there is almost certain
to be a serious industrial depression
during the first two weeks of August.
We are now considering the indus
trial coal situation. because while the
individual householder is worried
about his winter supply of fuel. the
Industrial situation is much more
menacing, since the shutting down of
yrd rdr,S fria oil he
throw men and women by the thou
sands out of work
AS regards the price of Industrial
coal-the consumers have the price
regulation In their own hands. If
they do not become panicky and bid
against each other for the supply,
thus driving the prices up, they can
hold them at normal, government
officials and the experts of the United
States Chamber Of Commerce empha-
size.
Anthracite Mining Difficult.
Relief for tho domestic consumer of
anthracite coal Is serious problem
and seems further removed. The phys
ical situation is different A man
must knO" now 10 hlHe COIL before
he can work in the anthracite field.
If he put unskilled men in the mines
an operator would have to establish
a hospital at its mouth to care for the
casualties.
In the bituminous field five expert
enced men can take care of, twenty
''rooms''-two men to work the under
cutting machine, a man experienced
with dynamite to be shooter" and
two trained men to direct the work
and see that the top" is safe. All
else needed is broad backs and men
who know how to shovel the coal
into cars. So that inexperienced men
can get the needed production in the
bituminous fields, but would only kill
themselves in the anthracite fields.