Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-24
ONLY ONE TON OF COAL
Imported Into United States
Last Fiscal Year
UNDER DINGLEY LAW
LITTLE RELIEF MAY BE EXPECT
ED FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
No Improvement in Local Situation
Anti-Smoke Law Will Be
Enforced.

According to the United States treasury
bureau of statistics, only one ton OF anthra-
cite coal was imported into the United
States during the fiscal year ended June 30.
1901. In 1896, when the Wilson tariff law
was in effect, and the tariff on anthracite
coal was 40 cents a ton, 49, 748 tons were
imported.
Under the Dingley tariff law the duty on
anthracite coal is fixed as follows: On an
thracite coal, containing less than 81 per
cent of fixed carbon, a duty of 81 cents
ton Is levied, while on anthracite, contain
ing 90 per cent more Of fixed carbon, no
duty is levied Whether the trainers Of the
Dingley law intended to abolish the tariff
on anthracite coal by fixing the carbon test,
and in their ignorance fixed that test too
high, or whether the 90 per cent test was
manipulation of the schedule to make It
appear that anthracite was on the free list,
when in reality IL was not, Is not apparent.
An analysis of anthracite coal from the
Pennsylvania coal regions shows that do
nestle anthracite contains on an average
more than 90 per cent carbon.
Applying Carbon Tests.
The enforcement of the Dingley law, how
ever, makes it necessary for the customs
collectors to apply the carbon tests to in
coming cargoes, and the record Of the
Treasury Department has been that foreign
anthracite coal is not as hard as domestic
anthracite and does not contain so per
cent Of fixed carbon. consequently the duty
of G1 cents ton is collected.
Under these conditions the figures show a
falling off in the importation Of anthracite
coal during the years since 1898, the first
full year of the Dingley law. as follows:
1885, 1851 tons; 1899. COL tons; 1900, 156
tons: 1901 / ton.
When the exports Of anthracite coal are
studied. especially with the increased out
put of the American coal fields during the
year 1901, different light Is thrown on the
subject. The United States exported nearly
2,OOO0OO tons Of anthracite coal during that
year which the heaviest export year
OF this product in It's history.
The three great coal producing countries
of the world are the United States, Great
Britain and Germany. The United States
stands far in the lead in coal production.
Her output in 1901 was Al, 1868 tons more
than Great Britain. which is the next
largest producer. This was the first year
that the United States had exceeded the
British output. The total coal put on the
market by the United States last year was
nearly 262OOO,OO0 tons, while that of Great
Britain was 219, OO0,O 600 tons, and that Of
Germany 152, 600 tons.
Little Relief From Foreign Countries.
1t will be seen that when an abnormal
condition arises in the American coal IN
dustry, such as the present cessation of the
output on account of labor troubles, foreign
countries cannot be looked to for immediate
relief to any great extent.
The course and custom of the trade is all
the other way The United States has been
exporting and not importing coal. Foreign
coal producers are not prepared to market
their coal in this country. Thy have net
the ships to transport it in. Their trade IS
all in other channels, and the check ng OF
the American supply abroad would natu~-
ally tend to make their home mare bet
ter.
1t is true, however. that some American
dealers already casting about in for
eign markets for coal with which to fl
their contracts; but it is be ieved tfac all
of the foreign coal which will be brought
In on account of the pre- sent trouble wi be
sought for and paid for at advs need
price by Anne rican dealers and that no nC w
markets will be permanently esta' li:h III
this country by foreign producers. The ore
ton of anthracite coal which WAS nported
into the United States last year Is accredit-
ed 10 Canada.