The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-09-01
Big Consumer Demand For Coal Anticipated
O.D.T. Setting Up Extensive Program to Assist DeaI
 CTS in Making Arrangements for Deliveries

serve the needs of their commun- itieS. Wherever coal heating is 6 re- quisite in winter months 1t is prob able that local committees will be functioning in all communities over 25 900 population and wherever war ranted in communities of smaller size.
 The local committees will survey conditions immediately for the dis- tribution of solid fuels this winter. The surveys are to include data from each of the yards as to the number of drivers, helpers and yard men employed; the tonnage capacity of each yard in supplying Its GUS. toners; the anticipated tonnage to be handled by each yard during the cold weather months, considering orders on hand and existing inven- tories; the available motor equip ment in each yard; and, the nor- nal trade area of each dealer. This information will form the basis for correcting, in so far as possible, the deficiencies of delivery equipment and where necessary assist the deal CT to increase operating efficiency. Wherever the local survey indi- cates a serious labor shortage, the local committee may request the re- gional director of the War Manpow- CT Commission to declare the solid fuel industry in such community as locally needed" This step, taken after standards of WING, ODT and the Solid Fuels Administrator have been met, will entitle the dealers to aid from the United States Employ ment Service in matters of recruit ment, training and employment stabilization. The designation of an activity as locally needed" gives it the same assistance under employ ment stabilization programs, special recruiting, and assistance in train ing personnel as does classification on the National List of Essential Activities.
 The maintenance and repair of trucks, including coal delivery trucks. is already an essential" ac- tivity under the general heading of Repair Services" in the national list of essential activities.
 While workers in an industry clas- sed as locally needed" do not as a group receive any specific deferment status, the local Selective Service Boat does weigh the fact that an industry is necessary in the war ef- fort and may grant deferments to individual workers. On the other hand. a deferred worker is under prescribed limits in transferring to other occupations. Before leaving his job he would have to obtain a statement of availability" either from his own employer or from the United States Employment Service.
 To assure the maximum use of yard facilities the local ODT-dealer committees, by basing their actions upon data turned up in the local survey will take the lead in forming Joint-action plans involving two or more dealers, wherever possible. The joint- action plans are to suit the particular needs of the community and the operators involved and nav include such measures as: (a) diyi- dit the responsibility for dellyerles to sparsely settled areas: (bl exchang- ing the use of motor truck eoulp- ment to eliminate empty mileage: sel pooling of labor supply assure undelayed distribution and a nlaxl. mum work week; (dl exchanglnR of orders to permit delivery from the yard nearest the customers: and (e) making provisions to fill emergency orders even though ordinarily sueh action depeFts from the formal plan. Ihe local committees shaII make provision Co serve all customers, whether new or old, up tc the sx- tent Of supply limits.