The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-01-04
COAL INDUSTRY NOT PROSPEROUS
Report Made on Production in APP
palachian States.


Parker, of the United States Geological
Survey. Mr.. Parker states that in
general the condition OF the coal mining
industry in 1911 was far from prosper
Gus owing to overproduction and de-
pressed prices.
The Appalachian region as the prin-
ciple source Of coking Goals was more
directly influenced by the depression IN
the iron trade in 1911 than some of the
coal-mining districts. In some OF the
coking districts many of the ovens were
shut down throughout the year The
production of coke in the Connellsville
district decreased Is per cent, and other
coking districts will show still larger
falling off. There was also a lighter
demand from the railroads, and as the
supply of both cars and labor was ade-
uuate. there was naturally an ability to
produce and transport the coal IN con-
siderable excess of the ability of the
market to absorb it. 1t is estimated
that the production of bituminous coal
in Pennsylvania in 1911 decreased about
8 per cent with a considerably larger
decrease in value. In West Virginia
the production was approximately the
same as in 1910. During the first six
months of the year the production tell
short probably 5000, 600 tons, as com
pared with the last six months of 1910,
but after the first of July there was
some improvement in business, although
prices We're still depressed.
In the opinion of MIR. John Laing,
chief Of the West Virginia Department
of Mines, the States output of the year
was 81, 900, 5000 long tons, or about Co.
500, 600 short tons, compared with 61,-
67l, 900 short tons in 1910. Some oper
ators estimate that the production OF
the State will show an increase of about
5 per cent over that of the preceding
YEAR Mr.. Laing estimates that the
production of coke in West Virginia in
1911 was not more than half as much
as in 1910 This was partly made up,
however, by the fact that a large
amount of West Virginia coal is being
shipped to by-product coke ovens IN
other states. For several years prior
to 1911 the labor supply in West Vir-
ginia had not been sufficient for the re-
uuirements, but this is not the case in
1911. There were no serious inter-
ruptions to business owing to labor
troubles. the few instances of dissatis-
faction which developed having been
settled satisfactorily within few hours
after the strike began, and the usual
complaints of car shortage and the fall
ure on the part of the railroads to
handle the traffic were not made. Sew
eral attempts have been made to secure
agreements among the operators by
which prices could be put upon a living
basis and ruinOns competition abated.
In Alabama, according to conservative
estimates, the output in 1911 decreased
about 10 per cent from that of 1910.
This has been due chiefly to curtail-
ments of the production of pig iron,
with proportionate reduction in coke,
and no curtaiment of the output of
coal from the mines of the iron-making
companies. The commercial coal bust
ness Of the state was anything but sat
istactory. The demand was less than
in 1910. and prices were greatly demon
allied. Labor conditions were normal,
the supply being sufficient and without
interruption because OF strikes.
Although 1911 was so generally unsatis-
factory, provisions for better conditions
in the future were made by the con-
struction of two large by-product coke
oven plants at Koppers ovens, one
operated by the Tennessee Coal, Iron
and Railroad Company, the other by
the Woodward Iron Co.
The trade conditions in Tennessee
We're similar to those in Alabama, and
the decrease in output was about the
same The principle activity in the way
of development in the entire Appalachian
region was in eastern Kentucky, par
IlCuIdIIA III lh6 anu lItiA 4cilA OOullIiCo
That area will probably show an in
creased production over 1910.
The largest percentage of decrease in
the Appalachian states was probably
shown in the output Of Ohio. This is
due TO the fact that in 1910 The produc-
ton of that state had been stimulated
by the strike in Illinois and southwest
ern fields. The output in 1911 was be-
tween 10 and Is per cent less than in
1910. From January l to June l, 1911,
the demand for coal in Ohio was very
light, and in some sections the ship
ments were scarcely 81 per cent of the
normal, while the Lake trade was Is
per cent or more below normal during
the greater of the year.
Visiting His Children.
Jonas E Gnagev brought eight tur-
keys down from Grantsville last Thurs
day to ship to his son, Harry, at Brad