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THE MILL WHISTLE
Vol. 32
Eden, N. C., November 19, 1973
No. 9
A Message To Employees
President William Battle
Discusses Energy Crisis
The mounting energy crisis facing this country can
have significant effects on Fieldcrest Mills, Inc., and
on all of its employees. The most important consi
deration is, of course, the company’s ability to maintain
levels of operation necessary to service customers’
needs and to provide steady employment for employees.
In order to maintain these levels of operation, extra
ordinary cooperation from every employee is going
to be a necessity. Every person, department and divi
sion must share in the task if we are to accomplish
what must be accomplished in the coming weeks and
months.
If continuing production is to be maintained, it is es
sential that we conserve fuel and energy at every pos
sible level and in every possible way. 'This will certain
ly be difficult and at times perhaps uncomfortable,
but it must be done.
'The Company at this point is making every effort
toward the conservation of its fuel supplies by using
coal where possible instead of fuel oil, nunimum heat
ing of non-critical areas, decreased heating of offices,
minimum heating of idle plants over weekends and
the elimination of any trips requiring Company cars
or trucks where at all possible. Further efforts may
be required such as the shortening of operating hours,
but it is hoped that this will not be necessary.
I have said in the past that it is the quality of Field-
crest employees which has enabled the Company to
grow and to become what it is today. I know that this
same quality will enable us to accomplish the difficult
task that we have ahead of us now.
William C. Battle
President
Fuel Shortage—How
It Affects Fieldcrest
In recent years, the subject of
the country’s energy supplies
has received little recognition by
most Americans. Now, however,
it has become distressingly clear
that the energy situation was far
more serious than anyone
thought.
With cold winter weather
almost upon us, the problem of
adequate fuel supplies for both
citizenry and industry has
reached the crisis stage. In
short, there is simply not enough
gas and oil to meet the country’s
needs.
The only alternate fuel
available which industry could
use for both heat and to generate
the power necessary to run its
factories is coal.
“Ironically, Fieldcrest Mills,
along with the country’s other
industries, has spent large
amounts of money in recent
years to bring all of its mills into
compliance with Environmental
Protection Agency standards on
air pollution by converting
boilers from coal to oil and gas,”
said William C. Battle, president
of Fieldcrest Mills, Inc.
Fieldcrest has spent over
$500,000 on boiler conversions in
the past few years. Con
sequently, only three mills now
have the capacity to burn coal.
These are North Carolina
Finishing, Blanket Finishing
and Fieldale Towel. A fourth one
at Draper will be ready to fire up
two boilers on coal in about three
weeks.
The gravity of the situation
was grimly underlined by a
recent address to the nation by
(Continued to Page Plight)
You Can Help Conserve Energy
With both Federal and state
governments taking strong
measures to conserve fuel and
electricity, much can be done by
individuals toward this goal.
The following tips on how to
conserve electricity and fuel can
be utilized by every individual.
Electricity
Cut down on the use of hot
water. Hot water heaters use
almost four times more energy
than any other appliance in the
home. Showers use less hot
water than tub baths. Those who
prefer baths should use less
water.
Turn off the television set
when it is not being watched. But
not for just a few minutes as it
requires a power surge to come
back on. If buying a new set, look
for the solid state type. It uses
less power than older tube types.
Use small appliances for
cooking when you can. Such
appliances as electric fry pans
and grills use less electricity.
When using the stove, keep the
oven door closed. Opening the
door drops the temperature
between 25 degrees and 50
degrees. Use smaller amounts of
(Continued to Page Four)
Conserve Fuel -
Join A Car Pool
The approaching gasoline
shortage, which some of
ficials expect to result in
rationing perhaps as early
as December, is creating a
renewed interest in the car
pool.
In addition to the con
servation of gasoline, car
pooling can be a pleasant
alternative to “beating the
traffic” in one’s own car
every working day.
Other considerations
which make the car pool
attractive to many are
reduced expenses for
gasoline and automobile
maintenance due to fewer
driving days, and in some
cases even the avoidance of
having a second family car.
And it saves fuel.
Natural Gas Cutback To N. C.
Is Delayed By Court Decision
Just about the only good news
concerning the energy crisis
these days is the District of
Columbia Federal Appeals
Court decision giving North
Carolina a “reprieve” from the
November 16 natural gas cutoff
ordered by the Federal Power
Commission.
A hiring in the court is ex
pected before January 8.
The temporary delay allows
North Carolina gas companies to
continue receiving their gas
supplies under the present
allocation guidelines which are
not as severe as those proposed
by our Federal Power Com
mission.
The delaying action will
spread the gas use reductions
over the entire range of
customers while the federally
supported plan would have
placed much of the burden on
those industries with in
terruptible service, that is,
those capable of using some fuel
other than natural gas. Field
crest does have some in
terruptible contracts.
The motion to delay the FPC
plan was filed before the Federal
Court of Appeals by the entire
North Carolina congressional
delegation and the North
Carolina Utilities Commission.
Under the stipulations of the
court’s decision, the Federal
Power Commission has seven
days to answer the motion filed
by the North Carolina
delegation.
Boiler Converted Back To Coal
Blanket Greige Mill maintenance men observe a boiler
that has just been converted from oil and gas back to coal.
A second coal boiler will be put into use within two or three
weeks. From left to right are Charles Jarrett, Joe Pete
Wilson and Ernest Lawson.