The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-11-10
TO MANUFACTURE COKE.
Capitalists Secure Rich Coke Fields In Penn-
eylvania.

An immense field Of undeveloped cox
ing coal in Fayette county. Pa, Is
about to be opened. II comprises sew
sral square miles in area. and In nd-
dition to n seven-foot vein OF colting
coal, there are three other veins of
steam coal, ranging in thickness from
three to Ave feet. On the land are vast
forests OF oak, which. IL Is estimated,
will saw out 50,000,O00 feet of lumber.
A syndicate in which several Pittsburg
capitalists are Interested with repre-
sentatives OF certain big iron compan-
les, who come into direct competition
with the Carnegie and Frick interests,
have been quietly at work getting con-
troll of the field. They now hold options
on thousands of acres. including both
surface and mineral rights. The farm
ers of the region are greatly excited,
and while about nine-tenths of the
land is now in the control of the syn
dicate, those who own the remainder
are holding it at figures ranging from
$50 to $3.50 per acre. There Is pros
pect of two railroad lines to the new
fields. The syndicate has the rights of
way of all available routes and Is in n
position to control the railroad business
which will arise from the immense coke
output. The object is for the iron men
to manufacture their own coke at cost
and thus be better able to compete
with their rivals in that business.
Labor Notes.
A fourth tin plate mill for New Cas-
tie, Pa. is promised. The new company
Is composed of Pittsburg men and will
be incorporated shortly. The mill,
which is to be a large concern, is to
manufacture black plates and VIII be
located on the Sample property. near
the site of the big tin mill to be built
by the Shenango Valley Steel Com
rany. Representatives of the proposed
company were in the city some weeks
ago, and asked, IL is understood, for
bonus of about $4,000, which has been
secured.
The Belaire Steel Company, of Ohio,
II appears is determined to operate its
extensive plant. Last week 1t secured
the full quota of men to operate full
turn. and for the first time since the
strike was inaugurated the plant was
put on double turn with a full force of
men. The strikers are watching all
non-union men who come here and
hope to induce them not to go to work.
The men claim that they Will yet win
the strike.
The Pittsburg. Bessemer and Lake
Erie railroad shops, located at Green
vile, Pa, which have been working but
eight hours a day for the past year, are
now working 10 hours, with an incre o5-
ed force of men
The big plant of the McCool Tube
Company, Beaver Falls, Pa, and a
number of smaller concerns along the
Beaver river which depend on water
power, have had to shut down owing to
low water.
The Star furnace at Jackson. o.. has
gone into blast, giving employment to
$50 men. The Wellston furnace man
agement has posted notice of a 10 per
cent. wage advance.
The Carnegie Steel company, limited,
has leased the Buchanan. Wiley and
Covert farms near Wick station. Pa,
and 100 men are at work quarryng
limestone.
new cotton electric crane arrived at
the Buhl mill, Sharon, Pa, Sunday, and
In less than eight hours was set up and
In operation.
The Union Paper Mill company's
mills at Monongahela City. Pa, have
resumed operations after a years idle
neSs.
The green glass blowers union has
10000 In its treasury.
Southern cotton mills have 10000
hands.
A Japanses match mill has $4,000 en-
ployees.
The United States has S65, 900 coal
mines.