The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-01
B. R. Smith, Sales Agent of the ROden Coal Co.,. An nOunces Two Orders
 Have Been Received
RUMORED TENNESSEE COMPANY HAS ALSO
 BOOKED AN ORDER
Smith Declines to Say to Whom Coal Was Sold, But Declared It Brought Price Considerably Above the Market-The Outlook
 Is Good

 of Alabama coal have been sold by local dealers for exportation to South America by reason of the European war It was announced yesterday by B. R. smith. sales manager for the Rouen Coal com pany operating the Marvel mines, that orders had been booked for two cargoes to be shipped 10 the east coast of South America. One. of the cargoes will go from Mobile and the other from Pensa- cola.
 The Tennessee Coal. Iron and Railroad company was reported to have booked an order for exportation to South America executive department explained that a bottom was to be loaded there this week with coal from this division but that the company was uniformed as to whether it was for shipment to South America or, not. sflt was added that the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company had been accustomed to sell quite tonnage of coal at Pensacola for bunker purposes during the year. and it was presumed possibility of it being sent to South America was admitted.
 MT. Smith of the Roden company was greatly eated that the ice had at last been broken between this coal producing field and South America
 Two Problems to Solve
 There is only two propositions we must solve in order to get big tonnage into South America,' said Mr. Smith. That is money channels and bottoms We have been fortunate enough to secure two bottoms which were idle at Mobile and one at Pensacola. These are to be loaded at once with coal from the Mar vel mines to South America. The finan- cial part of this transaction could not be handled at the point of destination so we made arrangements in Mobile to handle the financial part of 1t. Most of the buyers in South America are accus- toned to have extended time for the payments of their drafts. We cannot carry accounts quite long enough to suit them, but when our American financiers get banks established in that southern country we would do great business.
 I am not at liberty to say yet who the buyers of this coal are However, will say that the cargoes will go to the east coast and not to the west coast l am not quite ready to be so optimistic as to hope that we can reach the west coast just at this time.
 'It is some qualification to know that there has been placed here at least two orders by reason of the war in Europe. That indicates that the people in South America at least know that we are min ing coal here of good quality. 1t is en- tirey possible and I think probable that this war will result in the establishment by local coal men of agencies in Brazil and other South American countries for the furtherance of our trade relations between the two countries.
 Sold Above the Market
 This coal that we have Just sold brought a big premium. It was sold at a price greatly above the market. but not an excessive price to the South American buyers for they are accustomed to pay ing quite a large sum for coal down there As matter of fact all commodities in South America 1 am told, are high.
 'The coal outlook here firmly be- lieve. is very good. We are daily in contact with orders from various sections that are looking to Birmingham for coal and l believe there will be closed up for this district during the coming season some orders that are absolutely new for this district
 In connection with coal orders in this district for South American points it was reported here that agents for coal con cerns in touch with South American points were arranging some emergency plans whereby Birmingham coal could be used in South America at least pending an adjustment of the European situation and the establishment of permanent f. nancial and bottom arrangements.