Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-09
FUEL SITUATION
Continued from PAGE One)

shortage Is being made UP by bringing
In various substitutes for anthracite.
A large amount of low volatile run-of-
mine coal has been brought into the
State and considerable quantities of
coks. prepared sizes of bituminous,
and some foreign coal and coke.
"a November survey shows that
practically none of the dealers in the
State are now having any difficulty
in securing what coal they need. also
it shows that the dealers do rot an
ticipate trouble through the balance
of the winter. Reports reaching this
Office also show that many of our
householders are using low volatile
bituminous COAL either run-of-mine
or in prepared sizes, with great sue
cess. This is true in such a large de-
gree that am satisfied it can be done
successfully by our average house,
holder and with very considerable
saving in his annual fuel bill.
''This office is greatly pleased with
the attitude of most of the coal deal
ers in the State as it is evident that
with a few exceptions they are doing
their utmost to keep their customers
supplied and to hold prices down. A
great many of the larger dealers have
made no change in their prices since
the strike began although there has
been in most instances an increase
in the price paid for coal at the
mines.
IT anticipate that there will be some
localities where the supply of coal
may run short after severe weather
sets in, but the condition generally
in the State seems most satisfactory
and I anticipate little trouble If those
householders who find themselves in
need Of fuel will help themselves by
a real endeavor to burn low volatile
run-of-mine coal of which there are
ample supplies and with which they
should have no difficulty"
No Present Shortage In. Maine
Governor Brewster questioned each
member of the Council as to the sit
uation in their localities. anc the in
formation thus derived was immin-
emily satisfactory. 1t appears that
there is no serious shortage anywhere
in Maine now. that there is plenty of
soft coal for the use Of schools, cor
porations, and manufacturing plants.
During the conference 1t was
brought out that the use Of soft coal
by individuals is growing in leaps
and bounds, and the Administrator
pointed out that there are still many
individuals who are not fully ipfornS
cd as to the saving which can be eff
fected by the use of soft coal over the
expense entailed by the use of am
thracite.
After 1t is put in the furnace It
acts just the same as hard coal" said
if kept wet down properly, and con-
sidering the fact that II only produc-
es about half as great a volume of
ashes. the advantages offset the dis
advantages"
He stated that at present the price
of soft coal of an excellent grade in
Portland is in the neighborhood Of IS
per ton which is quite different from
the SIT which is the prevailing price
for anthracite here.
Most people fail to realize" said
Mr.. Boyd. that all the plans which
have been submitted for settling coal
strike situations. based on agree
ments to lower the price of coal, are
just as illegal as IL the agreements
were to raise the price,"
AZ leading coal operator once told
me that during the late war there
was time when he could have got
$50 ton for coal at the mines. The
operator stated that as there was a
profit at any price of 5000 he figured
II would be patriotic thing to keep
the price down to $3.50 a ton. This
agreement was made with several
other coal producers and as a result
every man who entered into this pact
was indicted and stood {. good chance
OF going to Federal Prison.
Under the circumstances" SAID
Director lloyd, these men were all