C(inadi(in Forcslrij Journal, Jamiarij, 191S 1473 



Wood Fuel to Relieve Coal Shortage 

 in Eastern Canada 



Bv Clydi-: Lkavitt, Chief Forester, COMMISSION! 



OF COKSEHVATIOX 



SUMMARY 



Eastern Canada is mainly dependent upon United Stales supplies 

 for coal. 



War conditions have resulted in an acute shortage of coal pro- 

 duction and distribution in the United States, which, in turn, has 

 caused a series of fuel crises in eastern Canada. 



The demands for coal for local industrial and domestic uses in the 

 United States are so heavy that exports to Canada and other countries 

 must necessarily be carefully checked and regulated. 



There is, to say the least, serious doubt as to whether the coal 

 situation in eastern Canada can improve materially during the con- 

 tinuance of the war, due primarily to the labor and transportation 

 shortages and to the enormously increased demand for coal for war 

 purposes. 



As long as such doubt exists, prudence demands that all reasonable 

 precautions be taken to mitigate the disastrous results that might 

 follow from an acute shortage of coal supplies. 



The most urgent considerations of patriotism demand that the 

 local consumption of coal be reduced as much as possible, to facilitate 

 the preparation of troops, munitions and food supplies and their move- 

 ment overseas, from both United States and Canadian ports. 



A vigorous campaign for the conservation of coal supplies is being 

 waged in the United States. Canada can surely do no less. 



The consumption of coal can be considerably reduced through the 

 wider use of wood fuel, of which Canada has enormous suj^plies. 



On the other hand, the production of wood fuel has been seriously 

 curtailed, due largely to the serious labor shortage. 



The production of large quantities of hardwood fuel is essential to 

 meet the situation. 



To stimulate such production, and to increase the demand for wood 

 fuel to the necessary degree will require a vigorous campaign of edu- 

 cation, coupled with specific and well-organized effort on the part of 

 provincial, city and municipal governments. 



This is a question of preparedness, and results may be expected to 

 be commensurate onlv with the effort exerted. 



