Evening journal., 1923-01-01
LACK OF HARD
COAL CERTAIN
Retiring Administrator Puts
Expected Supply at 90
Per Cent. of Normal
SUBSTITUTES
MUST BE USED


enel Fuel Distributor. assures the
country OF an adequate coal supply
during the remainder OF the winter,
he insists that the anthracite short
age cannot be overcome, and that
climatic conditions may make it inn
possible for public utilities and other
large consumers to store any great
amount of tonnage.
Sixty per cent OF the normal sup
ply of hard coal is the best that con-
sumers can be promised, Mr.. Spsns
says, and substitutes must be re-
sorted to in order to make up the
other 40 per cent. Anticipated Ia
Dor troubles. in the spring have
created an excessive demand for BIZ
luminous coal in some quarters but
such reserves may not be possible
should the winter be severe and
transportation be crippled. Mr..
Spehs adds.
This report was submitted along
with the resignation of Mr.. Spens.
effective January 1, 1923. His re-
tirement, however, does not bring
to an end Government supervision
over fuel distribution. The Presi-
dent Saturday appointed F. r. We'd
leigh, of this city. assistant fuel dis
tributor, to he distributor. snnounc-
ing at the same time that skele-
ton organization would be maintain
ed by the Government through the
month Of Jsnuary at all events, and
longer IL conditions required.
Operators and railroad officials
have operated. Mr.. Spens says, 10
overcome the fuel deficiency caused
by the strike OF five months during
the spring and summer. and their
efforts. particularly in the bitumin-
Gus fields. have been measurably
successful. Soft coal production
reached its highest point during the
week of December 3. when 11,495,-
600 tons were mined.
Current consumption OF coal is
approximately 100000 tons a
week and, with 1000, 900 being
produced, the retiring distributor
feels that stored tonnage, which
amounted to 100000 tons Decem-
ber l. might be somewhat increas-
er, weather conditions remaining
fairly favorable.
That the carriers co-operated TO
the fullest extent is evidenced by
the increased production" the re-
port says. when consideration is
given to the fact that they them
selves were still suffering from the
ravages OF the shipments strike
and the further fact that. during
this period, offerings OF tonnage Of
all character were extremely large"
Bituminous production in 1921
was 415, 100000 tons. The produc-
tion in 1922 up to and including
December is was 5S7,152.O4O tons.
It is calculated that when the re-
turns are all i'm it will be fourai
that the 1922 output of soft coal
will nearly equal that of 1921, not
the long suspension Of
work in the coal fields.
There is no prospect, Mr.. spens
says. that anthracite production will
exceed so per cent. of last years
output. At that, production had in
creased in the Pennsylvania field
from $4,000 tons for the week of !
September 3. TO 100000 tons for
the week OF December 16. During |
the week OF December 16, 1921, only !
] $4,000 tons OF anthracite was
produced.
In this connection the retiring |
fuel distributor answers the COM
plant that Canada is getting an
abundance of anthracite coal where
rs American communities are re-
iuced to 60 per cent OF their usual
supply. He shows that Canada was
first cut to half its normal supply
and that later this allotment was
further cut.
In the matter OF anthracite pric-s
he fuel distributor points out that
he fair price committee. created by
he State OF Pennsylvania Fuel Com
mission, has fixed mine prices on 80
per cent OF the anthracite output.
These prices range from $3.50 to
,12 a ton, dependent upon the cost
u UAUuuEAAbAAs
Regarding the price of bitumi-
nous coal the Fuel Distributor says
hat by voluntary agreement prices
we're cut in the Pocahontas. New
River. Tug River and Winding Gulf
districts SO a ton under previous
maximum prices in Alabama, 81 a
on; Southern Ohio, $2.25 a ton; in
pittsburgh, No. 8, S1.50 a ton; in
'airmont, w. Va, $1.25 ton; in
n, Fifth and Ninth districts OF I'LL
lois, 81 a ton. No agreements were
cached regarding other districts.
The only complaints received re4
,arding soft coal prices came from
consumers who required prepared
izes for household use. it is stated,
nd the Governments efforts in
nice regulations have been con-
ned to domestic Goals. 1t IS stated !
hat the Government itself has not
ndertaken arbitrarily. TO fix any I
rices at the mine or elsewhere.
Referring to the willingness OF
h coal industry to be guided by
ne loli~ies OF the Government in
ne matter of distribution of the
fuel supply,.Mr. Spens says :
lat in no instance have we round
necessary to invoke the penalties
rovided in the act"
y. c. HENVIS DEAD. J
The funeral of Jogeph c. Henvis, J