Evening star., 1945-07-31
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ropean coal mining until SHAEF'
was disbanded and Germany was
split up under the control of dif-
ferent Allied nations.
Favored by vinson.
Mr.. Ickes declared Fred M. Vinson
favored release Of miners from the
Army before he transferred from
War Mobilization director to Secre-
tary of the Treasury. Mr.. Ickes
said he has not taken up the mat
ter with Mr.. Snyder, explaining,
"He has only been over there q
week"
Secretary Ickes testified that the
original request for the release of
10000 former miners from the mill
tary service would prove inadequate,
unless they are released soon.
He is the second high Government
official to ask the Mead committee
in the past 10 days to support the
release Of skilled men from the
Army. Last week Col. J. Monroe
johnson, ODT director, pleaded for
release of 10000 former railroad
workers to expedite movement of
troops to the Pacific war theater.
The Army has agreed to furlough
1000 rail workers, but Is opposed to
the policy of furloughs or discharges
by occupational groups and has re-
sisted efforts to increase the number
I'VE have no magic wands, and
we cannot produce coal without coal
miners" Mr.. Ickes told the commit
tee. mo one else can. II they are
not forthcoming, the public must be
prepared to scrape the bottom of
the fuel bin as never before, and
even burn the bottom of the bin
itself if it happens to be made of
wood.
No Real Suffering.
Throughout this war. we have
been blessed by having the highest
fuel supply Of any Nation. That has
been due largely to hard work and
foresight and despite the drafting
OF able-bodied miners over our re-
peated protests. Although we have
had winter emergencies, and some
people have had, temporarily, to go
chilly, there has been no real suf-
fering for lack of heat in American
homes. Nor has there been any
lack OF food, clothing or other
necessities because there has been
no fuel to produce and transport
them. But we have now reached
the point where this may not be true
next winter If we do not plan and
act reasonably"
The administrator testified that
600,000,00 tons of soft coal are
needed for the current heating year,
with production Of only 575, ,OOO, 900
tons in sight. For domestic anthra-
cite the need is for rs ,00o, 900 tons,
with only 100000 in prospect.
This means a deficit of $1,000, 900
tons.
Up to now, he said, this country
got by without impairment of indus
trial activity by fadling back on
stockpiles, but these Eare practically
depleted, he said.
Deliveries Already Curtailed.
ALREADY it has been necessary for
the Solid Fuels Administration to
curtail deliveries of the Eastern
mined soft Goals, anthracite and by
product coke to four tons for every
fiM normally consumed by house
holders and other domestic users.
1t may be necessary to extend these
limitations to other domestic Goals.
Also, industrial plants face the
threat of serious cut in coal sup
plies before the winter is over, re-
gardless of whether we ship coal
to Europe"
Mr.. Ickes pointedly told the SEN
ators that the Army. which Is SO re-
luctant to release miners to dig
COAL" participated along with other
Government agencies In the confer
ences at which it was agreed to ship
100000 tons to Europe.
Mr.. Tckes testified that none Of
the European coal is for Germany,
but he warned the committee that
II rioting should occur In the other
liberated countries the lives OF
American troops stationed there
to preserve order would be at stake
He said the destruction and dis
organization Of Europe's industries
"are so complete that 1t is nov
utterly impossible to increase coal
production" over there In time to
meet the problem next winter. Even
II this country ships 5000, 900 tons
Europe would still be 25,000, 900 tons
short of the amount needed in dev-
astated areas "up to the point where
law and order can be preserved"
War Department Warned.
When Mr.. Potter said II anticipate
steel mills will be on 4-day week
this winter" Senator Ball, Republi.
can, Of Minnesota asked of he had