The Daily Alaska Empire

STRIP-MINE COAL

"Old curmudgeon" Ickes, the man who used to battle it out with John L. Lewis in the Roosevelt Administration, has now come out with the common-sense suggestion that the Government speed up strip-mining. Ickes points out that strip mines produce 100,000,000 tons of coal annually, and that if the Government got busy with bull-dozers and steam shovels and enlisted a corps of Seabees, this could be increased enough to keep the railroads and public utilities going.

However, the Truman Administration is much more skilled at cooling its heels than spark-plugging a big drive for more strip-mining.

For instance, here is the reception which one strip miner, W. J. Lyda of Black Lick, Pa., got when he tried to get two Diesel shovels and two D-8 bulldozers. After getting the run-around in Pennsylvania, strip-miner Lyda finally appealed through friends to this columnist.

This office in turn contacted half a dozen people in Solid Fuels Administration and the Civilian Production Administration, all of whom were courteously anxious to be helpful, but could do little. In the end it was necessary to fill out CPA form 4425 showing the need of this coal machinery and send it to John E. Steinhauer, Metals and Minerals Division of the Civilian Production Administration.

Upon a proper showing of urgency it was said that the CPA would issue a certificate which would then permit coal-stripper Lyda to get his shovels and bulldozers-if he can find them.

However, the War Assets Administration informed this columnist that despite a certificate from CPA it had no D-8 bulldozers, and no shovels. Furthermore, dealers state that they will not have this equipment for eight months to one year.

Meanwhile, however, both the Army and Navy have row upon row of bulldozers and steam shovels which are not too busy. Furthermore, under the President's war powers-which still are in force--he has the power to requisition equipment from private companies now used on projects which soon must come to a halt anyway if there is no coal.

While this is not wartime, it may be worse than wartime as far as creeping paralysis is concerned if there isn't more esprit de corps and initiative on the part of certain bogged-down gentlemen in high Government places.