Evening star., 1947-10-12

the French Employers National
Committee, protested to Premier
Ramadier that the cuts may have
"a disastrous interference on French
economy"
Belgium Coal Ration Higher /
Belgium-The people will be a
little bit warmer than last year but
most fuel still must be imported.
Domestic coal rations are 5000
pounds per household this year,
compared with $500 pounds last
winter.
Italy-A weak flow of gas may
bring feeble warmth to ajority
of homes this year in Rome. The
provincial Office of industry and
commerce said the Eternal City
would be allotted 10000 tons of coal
and coke for the underestimate
to be just enough to keep the city's
dwellings heated seven hours daily
for two months. Industrial fuel
consumption is IS per cent below the
May, June>and July level because of
low water in hydroelectic reser-
voirs after a dry summer. Wood is
four times more expensive than last
year. The Rome newspaper II
Tempo estimates heating costs are
100 times the 1941 level.
Germany-Things are really tough
here. A nightly brownout is in
effect and Berlin already has expe-
rienced power cuts up to four hours
a day. The gas ration is mainly for
essential users. People roam the
countryside searching for wood.
Last winter Germans received no
hard coal for heating in their
homes. The ALLEGATION this winter
will depend on production.
American Military Government
officials are stockpiling coal to pre-
vent industrial collapse, while in the
British zone a domestic ration of
100 pounds per person for the winter
has been announced. 1t may be
supplemented by 100 pounds of
wood.
Swiss Use Cheaper Coal
Switzerland - The exceptionally
dry summer and consequent low
water levels have cut hydroelectric
output by more than a third. House.
hold heating by electricity has been
banned entirely and electric water
heaters may be used only on Sat-
urdays. Sundays and Mondays. In
dustrial power consumption also has
been restricted. q. Lower grades of
coal and soft woods are not rationed.
Austria-This country is largely
dependent on the United States for
fuel and receives 27S,O00 tons of
imported coal under the Austro-
American aid plan which expires at
the end of the year She produces
an additional 10000 tons monthly
herself but authorities said the total
is not enough to keep factories going
and adequately warm many homes.
Oil supplies are Russian controlled.
Norway-The electricity ration
was cut 20 per cent following the
summer drought. Coal prospects,
however, are brighter than they were
last fall and authorities expect half
the coal reeded for home consump-
ton will be imported. Wood will
make up the remainder of the ra-
ton. The country's few gas works
are expected to be allowed to operate
without restrictions.
Denmark-Fuel consumption is
thoroughly restricted and officials
do not expect any immediate i'm
provement. Use of coal is not per-
mitted in private homes but limited
supplies of coke will be made avail
able to householders. Most wood is
going into building. Only electricity
and fuel of Danish origin, peat and
brown coal, for example, are not
rationed.
Swedes Cut Into Forests
Sweden-Heating fuel is esti-
mated at 20 per cent below normal
and government officials say that
if the winter is warm, indoor tenn
perature of go degrees will be per-
mitted. If it's cold, temperatures
must be held at so degrees. Coal
and coke imports are about half
normal supply and hydroelectric
power is rationed at 80 per cent of
last years consumption. Husky
Swedes meanwhile expect to cut
some 1880. 900 cubic meters of wood
from Swedish forests.
Czechoslovakia The govern
ment hopes to ration two tons
of coal to household during the
winter, enough to keep two rooms
warm. If there is no gas in the
kitchen an additional quarter of a
ton OF hard wood will be allotted
on the ration. The country i'm
ports much of. its coal and if sup
plies run low factories will have
fuel priority.
Greece-Authorities expect the
fuel shortage to come to climax by
this month unless additional sup
plies are obtained. Fuel for pas
senger cars is prohibited and truck
rations are limited.
Romania - Domestic consump-
ton of fuel oil is rationed at SO per
cent of normal and many people
will go cold this winter Coal, gas
and oil produced internally are used
for industries and railways.
Portugal-Coal is in good supply
due to imports from the United
States and Belgium but wood is
scarce.
Russia-Coal production is re-
ported to be we'll. above prewar
levels, with goyernment-sponsore