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Show DISTRIBUTE GOAL GOVERNMENT TO TAKE UP DISTRIBUTION DIS-TRIBUTION OF FUEL FROM MINES TO NEEDY Production Still Remain Very Low Despite Harding's Invitation To Reopen Properties Prop-erties . Washington. The government wttn the cooperation of the states assumed Monday the duties of a gigantic middleman, mid-dleman, passing on the coal from the producing mines to the industries and localities which, in the eyes of the government, need it most. The organization of the government's govern-ment's emergency coal distributing agency was pronouccd to lie nearly complete, and Henry B. Spencer, the federal fuel distributor, his committee and advisory subcommittee as designated des-ignated by order of President Harding will begin active functioning. Just how much coal the government can count on remains a matter or speculation. "There is no indication of increased production in response to President Harding's invitation to the mine owners own-ers to reopen mines in any of the strongly organized districts," the geological geo-logical survey commented. The total production for the past week of 3,900,000 tens of bituminous and 27,000 tons of antliratic is compared com-pared by the eurvey with a normal production at this season, including anthracite, of from 9,000,00 to 12,000,-000 12,000,-000 tons. Normal consumption at this time of year would be 8,000,000 tons of coal a week. Executive offices for the coal con- trol organization are to be located in one of the government's temporary wartirae buildings and an adequate staff is being mobilized to handle the rush of reports and orders which are expected to flow through Washington. Covered by priority orders from the interstate commerce commission, all coal now being produced is to be bought under the fair price levels to be maintained by the federal fuel distributor, dis-tributor, freight cars being withheld from dealers who sell at advanced prices. Railroads and interstate public utilities utili-ties are to be the concern of the federal fed-eral government as far as direct contact con-tact with the consumers goes, while supervision of the distribution be tween states is designed to put all localities on an equal footing as regards re-gards bulk supply, after which control of profiteering and allotments of fuel is to be a state matter. Bunker coal is to be kept at a minimum min-imum and foreign ships required to fill their bunkers abroad for the round trip, while exports will only be per mitted in case of shipments destinec for consumers who cannot otherwise supply theraeslves. |