The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-12-12
ou1o,s CoAL INDUSTRY.
Some Statistics of Observation-Disclosures and
Natural GnR

COLUMBUS, o., Dec. ll.-Mine Inspector
Bancroft has Just filed his annual report
with the Governor. Coming asit does at
this time, when the condition OF alairs is
in such an unsettled state in the mining
regions OF Ohio, the. report is exceedingly
interesting. Mr.. Bancroft says that the
coal trade in the State has been by no
means satisfactory, yet the improvement
in the mines during the past year has
kept pace with those Of the preceding
year, notwithstanding the great depression
in the trade. The production OF iron has
been almost suspended. He states that the
discovery Of natural gas at Pittsburgh has
had baueful effect upon the coal trade Of
Ohio, as it has crowded from the Pitts
buroh market from 5000 to 10000 tons
OF coal per day, which has been Obliged to
seek new markets, and now comes in
direct competition with Ohio coal on the
lakes. There have been many improve
ments during the year, forty-tive venti-
latng furnaces and nineteen fans having
been erected, 43 air shafts sunk, Is safety
catches placed upon cages, and liz mine
scales inspected.
At present there are $40 mines in the
State, 900 OF which are small ones, being
only worked for private consumption.
They are situated in Lawrence, Columbi-
anna and Muskingum counties. Twenty
six mines have worked out and 2S new
mines opened since the last report.
Concerning the Anti.Scrip law passed
at the Last Legislature, the Inspector says:
ut has had very salutary effect Oh the
matter it was intended to reach, although,
as yet, it has by no means entirely a6ol.
ished the custom. One Of the largest
mining companies Of the State, the ColG;n-
bus and Hooking Coal and Iron Company,
upon the passage Of the act, at once with.
drew their scrip from circulation and
adopted weekly payments in its place."
The total number OF men employed is
l9,S04 in the commercial mines, The re.
port shows 81 deaths and SO accidents, the
latter mostly caused by falling slate.
Mr., BANCROFT says: Natural gas has
caused Pittsburgh coal to be thrown into
direct competition with Ohio coal, Where
the Pittsburgh mines paid the same price
as those Of OHIO, their operators would
still have the advantage over ours from
the fact thatthey use their slack in max
ing coke, and by this means utilize all
their product. There Ia no disgusting the
fact that until the cost Of production can
be more nearly eQualiSed, any advance in
the price Of Ohio coal becomes simply o
premium offered TO that Of Pittsburgh"
The report says, in speaking OF the
troubles in the Hooking Valley; "The op-
orators claim, and with Justice, that they
are unable to make contracts for future
delivery with any surety as to prices or
ability to fill them, from the fact that they
may at any time be asked for an advance
In mining, and upon refusal TO concede
there Is . total stoppaGe OF production.
On the other hand, the miners assert that
every advantage is taken by employers TO
keep the price Of mining down, and that
their Just proportion Of any advance in
the piice Of coal Is never accorded them
without struggle"
Mr.. Bancroft is strongly In favor Of arbi.
tration, believing that this Is the only
method 10 reach the solution Of all prob
lens which may arise without recourse to
strikes. He thinks the meeting to be
held In PittAburgh on December 10, will
result In much good, as 1t will give all an
opportunity to learn each others views in
the various mining questions, He con-
siders the iron industry Of the State to be
In Q flatteripg condition and believes that
0 season Of prosperous times is In the near
future.