Evening star., 1941-04-24
Coal Tieup Hurts
Defense Badly,
Army Reveals
Defense Bourd Calls
Hearing Tomorrow
On Work Stoppoee
BY NELSON M. SHEPARD

1he war Department reported to-
day that the Nation wide soft coal
shutdown already has had a very
drastic effect" on the defense pro-
gram, particularly with respect to
curtailment of production at steel,
ammonia and textile plants having
large Army and Navy orders.
A survey made by the various arms
and services gave departmental
procurement officials reasons for
very serious concern" over the situ-
alton, it was reported.
This situation will grow steadily
worse, it was believed. with many
major plants threatening to shut
down production within week.
Hearing Set for Tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the National Defense
Mediation Board. TO which the coal
dispute was certified by Secretary
of Labor Perkins last night, an
nounced panel hearing would be
held at 10 am. tomorrow.
Vice Chairman William H. Davis
of the board indicated all parties
to the case would be represented.
Certlf1cation of the case to the
board was seen as certain to cause
further delay in settling the strike
John L. Lewis. president of the
United Mine Workers, said in New
York, in criticizing Secretary Per-
kins' action, that further delay in
resumption of operations and oi
coal production is now inescapable
For this we disclaim any re-
sponsibility."
One vital reason for the War De-
partment'S concern over the situa-
ton is the fact that 1t will take large
plants at least week or more tc
fill orders for coal after the strike
is settled.
Power Producers Have Fuel.
The general overall picture i,
one Of curtailment of vital defense
orders as a result of the soft Goa
dispute the War Department said
The only bright spot in the picture
Is that the big power producers
among the utilities have enough
coal on hand to carry on for a while
Shut-doWnS of big blast furnaces
in the Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Illinois
and other areas are imminent. il
was stated. unless these plants re-
ceive coal by next week.
Some of the major steel produc-
ers reporting serious shortages of
coal are Carnegie's Illinois plant,
United States Steel. the Jones g.
Laughlin, Republic, Bethlehem,
Pittsburgh and Youngstown Sheet
& Tube.
The survey disclosed that "a con-
siderable number" of wool and cot
ton mills with large Army orders
for clothing have notified the de-
partment they must begin to cur
tail production.
Mills Face Shutdown.
In some cases mills must shut
down unless they get coal supplies
in the next 10 DAYS. The Peerless
Woolen Mills of Rossville, Ga, and
the Renfew Bleachers of Travellers
Rest, S. c.. each producing millions
of yards of cloth for the Quarter
master Corps. were reported on the
verge of complete shutdown.
Three large producers of ammonia,
vital defense product, will have to
shut down production in a few days,
it was reported. Included is the SOL
way Process Co.. Hopewell. Va, larg-
est of its kind in the world.
BY April %, it was reported, the
steel ingot production will be cut l.
900 900 tons month. unless the coal
shortage is remedied, and by May 5
it was expected the reduction would
reach 2,500,000 tons a month.
AT least eight major blast fur
naces in the big steel areas already
have been forced to close down and
the number is expected to be in
creased by two more Saturday. The
average blast furnace produces be-
tween 5000 and 5000 tons of steel
a week.
Carnegie Plants Already Shut.
Three Carnegie plants in the Pitts
burgh district shut down last week
and it was reported today the Nc
Intosh Hempville Steel Co. has less
than five days coal supply on hand
and will close three furnaces tomor-
row 1t was estimated this would
result in rs per cent reduction.
The situation in the Chicago dis
trict was reported as very serious
AS yet, most of the utilities are not
seriously affected by continuation
of the soft coal strike, but a number
(Cna rNAT nn~n