The Sidney herald., 1959-05-06

painted by the group before a
gathering of Congressman and in
dustrial leaders here last week.
The group has been organized as
the National Coal Policy Con-
ference" to draw attention to the
nations fuel problems.
The prediction of a national
coal requirement of IL billion tons
annually by the year 1000, and an
effective demand by 1875 for more
than double the present output of
400 million tons, was made by
Philip Sporn, president of Ameri-
can Electric Power Company. The
utility's extensive use of coal as
an energy-source has prompted an
extensive projection of the indus
try's future needs.
The nations subsidized develop
ment of nuclear sources of power
will lead to atomic energy output
to the annual use of 855 million
tons of coal by the turn of the
century, he found. AT the same
time, the power in~dustry's demand
for coal will continue to increase to
a figure IA times the amount need
ed in 1920.
Despite these optimistic predic-
tons for an enlarged future DOM
este market for coal, spokesman
for the Coal Policy Conference
found a danger that there would
be no industry left to produce and
distribute the fuel.
George H. Love, chairman of the
conference and head of the Con-
solidation Coal Company, cited
restrictions placed on American
exports by foreign countries which
underWrite their w coal indust-
ries, as instruments of national
policy. By contrast, he noted per
iodic dumping" of fuels COMPETE
tive with coal here, during short
term periods of surplus.
"The National Coal Policy Con-
ference asks for an unbiased Joint
Congressional Committee to study
this whole problem and find a
proper policy for balanced use of
fuels, from a broad public point
of view," he declared. LET us then
implement it by law"
The alternative to a policy which
enables all types of fuel producers
to operate successfully is the de-
struction of railroads needed to
carry coal to market, before the
upturn in demand is reached, &C
cording to Howard E. Simpson,
president of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad.
"The railroad industry has in
vested over So million in equip
ment and facilities, including over
100000 hopper cars, primarily for
of COAL" he reported.
For some lines, coal is responsible
for 70 per cent of total revenue"
Drying up GOALS share of the
fuel market will seriously affect
the railroad plant. Cars, locomotive
and tracks supported primarily by
coal traffic won't stand idle indie
finitely until they are suddenly
needed again.
Lost, also, would be a substan-
tial portion of more than 100000
railroad crewmen."
Speaking for his industry as
well as for his Mine Workers
Union membership, John l.. Lewis
warned of the immobilization Of
he nation in wartime if it has
previously become completely de-
pendent OF ocean-shipped fuels.
1t is his conviction that coal
productivity at IL tons per man
Der day-in comparison with less
han one ton per man abroad-has
,ut the industry in position to sur
i've to serve again in national
emergency if Congress writes
rules to regulate Compel
ton among coal, oil, natural gas,
nd atomic power in a way fair
ALL"
Coal industry detectives have
zen summarized by the Confer
noes executive director, Joseph
:. Moody, as a national fuel policy
which "looks at energy resources
S a whole, recognizing interre-
ationships between various fuels,
rawing on each source for its
lost efficient and desirable dis
-ibution. Today national legisla-
on and government policies treat
lels in separate compartments.
Government policies on i'm
orts, tax and national defense all
10 frequently treat one fuel with
ut reference to another.
"a national fuel policy refuses
, countenance discriminatory
ompetition, or the sitting of fur
Ter development of a competitive
Iel. 1t promotes long-term avail
bility of a reliable energy supply
t a reasonable cost by sensible
olicies of fuel conservation, deve-
and distribution"
The new alliance of union, pro-
ucers, and associated industries
looking to Congress to provide
forum in which all fuel suppliers
state their problem, with ar
verall solution that keeps each in
,adiness for furture national
eeds.