The sun., 1900-09-20
Fngland's Coal Problem.

II Is we'll known that the present year has
witnessed q remarkable rise in the price OF
coal throughout Great Britain. In various
parts OF the country coal costs the con-
sumer from rs cents to 81 so per ton more
than II did last September. The average
increase may be estimated at dollar and a
half II. then, we take 220, 900 900 tons as
probable the output during 1900. this guam
tity, at an average increase OF 81. so per ton,
would represent an addition OF $3.50, 900 900
to the cost Of coal for British consumers
and exporters Let us look at the dangers
threatened by such change In the price OF
the combustible and at some Of the remedies
suggested.
1t is obvious that England's export trade
in coal is seriously menaced by the present
state Of things. Last year Great Britain
exported over 100000 tons and sup
piled l2.OOO,OOo more to ocean going
steamers. How long can this trade ex-
pect to escape American competition. II
existing prices are maintained Coal sells
to-day for about 81 per ton at Cardifr.
the main shipping point Of Wales. and
for about So per ton at Newcastle.
land II 10 these prices be added the cost OF
freight we find that Welsh coal cannot be
delivered at Gibraltar for less than ~ 10, or
at Marseilles for less than 500. American
hituminous coal. on the other hand, can be
delivered at Hampton Roads for 81 so per
ton. Even If we add S. per ton for freight.
we should still be able 10 deliver Ameri-
can coal in the Mediterranean for
$3.50 or, on an average 81 less than
the cost at which British exporters
could place il there Manifestly It
10 only a question Of a short time when
American coal will drive British coal out Of
the Mediterranean, provided the prices Of
the combustihle now prevailing in England
shall continue.
That they will continue, and may even 60
considerably higher is believed by many
expert observers, for the reason that English
railways instead OF reducing their present
exorbitant charges for carrying coal. are
talking Of increasing them. II was only the
other day that the chairman of a leading
English railway said that if there was any
commodity that could bear an increased
rate for carriage. il was coal The Parlia-
mentary maximum rates for coal are
from four-flfths OF a cent to four cents
per ton per mile, according to the
distance, with q terminal charge OF
six cents per ton at each end
Sometimes these rates do not include the
use Of wagons. The actual rates on coal
brought TO London from Wales and the
Midland counties over distances between
100 and 200 miles, vary from about cent
to cent and a third per ton per mile. The
rates charged for carrying coal In Pennsyl-
vania and Virginia are from one-third to
one-fourth Of the British rates The differ
ence will he sharply brought ont when
we say that a 50-miie haul would in
England add about $3.50 per ton to the
cost of the combustble. whereas. in the
United States. it would only add about
ffty cents. With the English RAILWAYS
refusing IA lower their rates and talking Of
increasing them, there seems to be scarcely
any chance of fall in the cost Of English
coal at the points Of shipment
Now, even ii the outcome Of the present
prices Of British coal should be confined TO
the loss of the whole or n large part OF
England s export trade in that combustihle.
the consequences would be Calamitous
British shipping is employed in CARRYING
coal to an extent not generally known.
The London National Rerier asserts
that, il Englands exports Of coal
were 10 cease, or oven 10 be ma
terialy affected. all the shipvardS in the
country, except those employed in building
mail steamers ard men-of-war, might as
well close their gates al once. No vessels Of
the tramp class would be required for
years to come. and one Of Engands chief
Industries. shipbuilding, would be. as re-
CARDS many shipyards. practically ruined
Nor would this be all The vessels which
now take out English coal bring return
cargoes OF food and raw materials II they
could obtain cargocs only one way, they
would have 10 increase the rates Of freight
correspondngly. and thus add to the cost
Of food and of the raw materials which are
Indispensable to the maintenance Of Eng
land : commercial position.
The loss Of England export trade in coal
Is, in truth, but the smallest part ~ the
calamity por'fnded by a signal increase in
he price Of THE combustible. Enslands