The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-01-09
WINTER FINDS GOAL
BINS EMPTY IN EAST
WOOD, OIL AND SOFT COAL
ARE USED AS SUBSTITUTES
FOR ANTHRACITE.
HUGE PROFITS ARE REPORTED
Biturninous Operators Said to Be
Making s25,OO9,OoO Weekly Clear
ings. Communities Placed on Short
Rations. Wages Are Same.

Rations. Wages Are Same.
NEW YORK, N. Y.-The effect Of
the summer long strike in the nations
coal mines are being felt keenly now.
The coal bins empty and the first real
days Of snappy winter weather at
hand Virtually every part Of the
country reports coal shortage, but
the east is particularly hard hit. Sub
stitutes are being used, and, in many
cities and states fuel administrators
are in charge, allowing but certain
amount of fuel to each household
Business interests throughout the
country are calling in increasing NUM-
bers on the government to do son1e-
thing to bring about more stable
supply and to lower the prices Of coal.
One Of the big surprises recently is
the fact shown by data in the hands
of the presidents fact-hnding coal
commission to indicate that the con-
su1ning public probably is paying $25,-
100000 a week more for its soft coal
at present than it paid year ago
Miners Given Same Wage.
AS the miners went back to work at
the end of the strike for the same
wages they received last year the cost
of producing coal is virtually the same
at the present time as it was year
ago. A report of operating costs made
by the Interstate Commerce commits
sion shows that the railroads are pay
ing Up to SOS ton more for soft
coal than they paid year ago. The
railroads use about 100000 tons
monthly, which means an additional
Sl6.O00,000 item OF expense in their
budget each month.
At the present time the output OF
soft coal reaches 100000 tons a
week which is being sold, according
to the commissions figures, for an
average of 81 a ton more than the
price charged a year ago. The coal
industry, particularly the bituminous,
is said to be in a highly hourishing
condition. Notwithstanding the ave
months strike the coal operators, it
is said, probably will make more mon
ey this year than they ever made in
any single year before. Many OF them
are preparing, it is reported, to cut
fat melons in the shape of extra div-
idends Of stock or cash.
Fuel Famine Is Real.
In the meantime, the country at
large is suffering from the acute fuel
famine. the car shortage adding to the
difficulty When the mines reopened
every effort was made to rush the an
thracite to the northwest before the
lake traffic was halted 1t took some
time for the anthracite mines to get
I. II
result there was no reserve supply
when winter set in.
In Lancaster, Pa, ten cents a show
elful is the price, and the retail deal
ers are rationing their supply to poor
persons. Some dealers sell 100 pounds
for 81, or at the rate OF $40 ton
MANY communities report no anthra-
cite coal at all, householders depend
ing entirely on bituminous coal
Metropolis Is Paniclzy.
New York city is III a panicky state
Of mind, but d few days supply OF
anthracite being on hand. Fuel Ad-
ministrator Woodin, in charge of ra-
tioning coal in the Empire state, re-
ports that the crucial point, however,
will not be reached for few weeks
vet when the anthracite allotted will
fall $4,000 tons below the amount
needed. No householder is allowed
more than 80 days supply, and, where
indications warrant, investigations OF
cellars are made to see that the rule
is not being violated. Coal is being
sold in l00-pound lots to the poor,
while all charity bureaus report a
heavy demand for the limited amount
of free coal which they have on hand.
boarding OF coal, too. is reported
from many other sections OF the coun-
try, and drastic steps are being taken
by officials to STOP the practice. Wood
and oil are being used in many homes,
Others are depending on pea and buck
wheat coal, and it is said That's the use
of substitute fuel will become gen-
eral unless transportation and mining
are greatly speeded up.