The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-15
ALADAMA'S COAL
 OUTPUT INCREASES
1909 Production Is Valued at
 $16,305, ,158.
WAS NO LABOR TROUBLE
Large Home Market-Mines Are of Greater Value Than
 West Virginia Mines

Washington. January 4.-(Special.) 1.-The been collected by the United States Geo. logical Survey in cooperation with the bureau of the census, and the compila- tion of the replies to the numerous and detailed inquiries contained fin the gen eral census schedule has delayed the publication of the statistics far beyond the time at which the Geological Survey usually presents them to the public. The thorough nature of the work done, how ever, has made the statistical results ex- ceptionaly complete and, trustworthy. The production of coal in Alabama In 1909, 13, 703, ,450 short tons, having spot value of s16,3o5,15S, showed an increase of 2,09S, ,S57 short tons, or 1S.1 per cent, in quantity and of s1. .657 267, or 11.3 per cent, in value over 1908, but was still 547,Oo4 short tons less than the record of 1907, when the production amounted to 14,25o- 454 short tons. Except that of 1907, now ever. the output in 1909 was the largest In the history of the state. The statistics which have been collected by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation with the bureau of the census indicate re- covery from the effects of the business depression of 1907-S, but the conditions were less favorable to the speculative de- velopment of new properties than in for mer recoveries from periods of depression. During the last three months of the year, when the demand for coal was nat urally stimulated by the advent of cold weather, there was some complaint of shortage of labor, and during November the car supply was at times insufficient to meet tl1e demands. but conditions in this respect improved in December.
 Labor Conditions
 Since 1904. when most of the large mines were closed for a considerable period by labor disaffection, coal mining in Ala bama has been carried on chiefly on the open-shop basis. A two months strike among the union miners in the summer of 1908 failed to strengthen organized la- Dor in the state. During 1909 the industry in Alabama was not affected by labor troubles, not single strike, suspension, or lockout being reported.
 Home Market
 Alabama is singularly fortunate in hay ing home market for it's coal and coke in the blast furnaces and steel works within its own borders. The advantages of such a market are plainly exhibited by 6 comparison of the prices obtained for Alabama coal and coke with those for West virginia's products. The average price for Alabama coal in 1909 was $1.19 ton, against s1.26 in 1908, and $1.29 in 1so7 West Virginia coal, which includes the high-grade product of the Pocahon- tas and, New, River districts. sold for go cents a ton in 1907, 95 cents in 1908, and about the same in 1909 as, in 1sOS. In other words, the value at the mines of Alabama coal Is 30 per cent more than that of West Virginia; and even the most enthusiastic Alabamian would not say that the average quality of Alabama coal is higher than that of West Virginia Similar differences in favor of Alabama are shown in the prices obtained for coke. Alabama coke brought an average of S3O4