Show coal production Is now away under normal amount 0 the production of 0 coal has de creased to the danger point and it if there should be a revival of manu fracturing fac turing during the coming winter there will be a shortage of fuel and higher prices than now prevail in the opinion of some at of the expert observers consumers should lay in their winter s supply of coal as soon as possible in la order to avoid a pos sible rise in prices incidentally the railroads just now suffering because of lack of business would be sub stant lally ly bene fitted the situation Is summed up by the railroad Hall road age which says the normal increase in consumption of coal in the united states tor for a long time has been from 10 to 20 tons a year the year 1914 like the year 1921 was a year of depression nevertheless in the first six months of 1921 the amount of coal produced and shipped was actually nine mil lion tons less than the same months of 1914 seven years ago and in tact fact less than in the first six months of any of the last eight years except 1915 at the present rate of out put the total production of 1921 would be less than tons the last year in which less than this amount of coal was consumed was 1909 twelve years ago the interstate commerce commit commix sion has become so alarmed regard ing the situation that chairman dark clark has made a special appeal to the railways and public utilities to increase their purchases and storage of coal many are doing so but there Is a limit to the beneficial et ef feet this will produce unless other business concerns and domestic con burners sumers speedily and largely increase their purchases the country will have serious coal troubles this winter |