Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-08-01
MONDAY AFTERNOON, AUG. 1, 1915
NEW MINING COSTS.

The production OF coal is becom.
ing more and more expensive and IT
is claimed that there is no CORES
ponding increase in the price. Speak.
ING along this line the Coal and
Coke Operator says:
From all the coal mining coloL
OF Great Bri'-J v @ receive r., OFT,
OF new and more stringent mining
regulations for assuring safety and the
rescue of those who may be imprison.
ed from any cause that is liable at
any time to occur in mines. In the
House of Commons at London, on
Juno %, bill was introduced under
the auspices of the Ministry which
makes provision for the organization
OF rescue corps at mines, and the
Equipment of approved character Sim.
liar Legislation has been enacted in
British Columbia, and is to become
effective as soon as the Minister of
Mines shall outline what is required
on the part of the coal mine owners
to conform t. it.
1t is highly probable that all of the
legislative bodies Of the coal mining
States that sit next winter will consid-
er some such legislation, and it is
right that they should; but we again
direct attention to the fact that while
the coal consumers encourage and sup
port such legislation as a sentimental
and impersonal question with them.
selves, all such enactments add to the
cost of producing coal, and they per
slstently refuse to pay the additional
cost to which they subject the pro.
dueers. This is partly an outgrowth
OF the representations, rather misrep
reservations. made in Irresponsible
newspapers as to hard-hearted and
cold FLOODED coal operators every time
there is strike or a suspension: but
buyers refuse to buy at advanced fig.
ures, il becomes impossible for tho
producers to pay the miners what
they demand and to conform to the
new legislation that is growing every
legislative session, and Hto serve the
Pubic and escape bankruptcy. Thu
DAY has arrived when it., no Longer
becomes possible for coal operators To
divide such additional expense over q
larger tonnage, because the tonnage
capacity is far ahead of all possible
consuming capac1ty-in fact. il is so
far ahead of consuming capacity. plus
exports and ship-fueling, that mines
cannot be kept constantly emploved
Tor more the nabout three-fftbs of
the number OF working days in vear
Ihis means expense also that must
be covered in the price of the coal
that is produced and sold.
Coal productive costs are increasing
In every country in the world. In Ell.
rope, where costs and prices are pro.
hibitory as compared with prices
which rule in this country. still high.
er prices are indicated, which fact
viii give added impetus to research
for the discover yof practicable meth.
DDS of still more efficiency and tho
utilization or other forms of power
generation. In this country the same
ideas will be imported and adopted or
adopted or improved upon. as is usual
with European discoveries and inven
tons. =
II will thus be seen that an endless
chain Of conditions is being created
that means inevitable disaster If there
are not means adopted at an early
date by those whose commercial liz,
rs meanace 10 forstall conditions that
are as certain TO evolve as that nigh;
follows day. Such movement needs
first OF all, leadership but II must al
80 have unanimity Of support from
all whose welfare is sought. -Four fac
tors forbid abuse Of the public and
the consumer by any such orgapiza
tion, one that the innate hoggishnes.
Of some individuals would induce then
10 cut below fair-profit price II aboy.
a fair profit prices were sought r.
be exacted; second that the relatiy.
quantity Of coal TO be sold wouI,
diminish; third the statute laws q
the states and nation. and fourth coro
mercial laws Of worldwide operatio,
would severely punish any atempt =.
place obstruction to the operations q
economic law