Shanghai, Mar. 18. HE reasons for the shortage of power in the International Settlement were explained by Mr. P, S, Hopkins, president of the Shanghai Power Ca,, at an interview given to' the representatives: of local newspapers yesterday morning. Stating that there had been some inaccurate statements made by the press, Mr.
Hopkins said that there was not much news ju the current fuel shortage, it being a relatively simple story of the shortage of car: iors, This was duc to the fact that, owing to major wars now being waged, ships had been becoming seareet, while the coal supplies were purchased from the East and West Coasts of the United States, in India, Australia, Africa, Japan and China, In the past, Japan had a relatively high percentage of its electrical energy generated by water power, but abnormally low rainfall in the past two years had forced her to curtail the use of power and to divert much coal to steam plants.
'There remained only three months' supply of fuel in the Shanghat Power Company's fuel pile. assuming shipments arrived from any source, "Mr, Hopkins said. The-com pany was, however, now receiving enough coal to meet 50 per cent. of ite current needs. The present stocks, plus seemingly assured shipments, would last six months, Assurances of Stocks 'The major wars and scarcity' of ships made it essential that the Power Company curb the use of fuel, pending some assurance that adequate stocks would be received, My, Hopkins continued.
Essential services in Shanghai, such as street lights, communications, sewage, and hospital services, which had 0 be kept going to preserve and save the lives of the residents of this port, could not be faced with a shortage of fuel, "To prevent undue or hasty restrie-Tions the very first day that normal shipments ceased to come forward, the Power Company and Shanghai Municipal Council took steps. to appoint a preliminary committee, largely composed of" industrialists, to determine the effect of curbs upon Inbour and capital. A succeeding committee composed of independent engineers, divorced from all pressure of personal gain, had also been Appointed, Tt was also agreed to restrict normal usage to 70 per cent. by the imposition of treble rates for con. sumption over the percentage. This was an immediate possible and interim stop preliminary to final allocation of power. 'This step was not scientific, but it was the. only' practicable procedure, The essential services, entitled to ' exemption or modification of such restrictions, Would finally be studied by a falrminded. committee, Tt was pointed out by Mr. Hopkins that neither the Council nor the Power Company would profit by the mposing of treble rates, these being only to conserve fuel." The alloca~ ions, too, would be drastic, if neces: cary and would injure some for the protection of others, Time Needed AM. Hopkins said that every fauthoriny had been ce-operating with the company and that reliefs wore being sought, but that it would take some time to divert any carriers (0 Shanghai. The public were asked conserve' their use of electrical energy and thus help, the company. to avoid a complete "blacking out" of, the city, The Shanghai Power Company had 150,000 tons of fuel in stock, while the requirements were 50,000 "tons per mensem. These may be replenished by present dependable receipts of 5,000 tons per mensem, leaving a shortage of another 25,000 tons. To augment its use of coal, the company installed of-fourners, spending $500,000 to do it. This was very Successful step, but now off was as diMeult to secure as coal.
'To keep labour masses working, It would be necessary to conserve' as much og possible "and to release electrical energy for the use of industry, since 96 per cent. of the power consumed by" the industries in the International Settlement came from the Shanghai Power Company.
Mr. Hopkins said that there was no possible question but that every class of service could ce-operate to effect economies in their use of electrical energy. The control rested with Individuals.
In Mr, Hopkins's opinion. there was no need for hysteria, although' grave concern had been ' expressed and restrictions were necessary. A few steamers would promptly meet Shanghai's fuel requirements and there would be no. problem, but Shanghai was a sensitive market in which the inexperienced and those without full access to. facts were frequently Injured. He also. thought that if raw materials should reach
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