The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-29
NEW YORK HEARS EUROPE'S CRY FOR
 SUPPLY FOR COAL
Local Companies Declare That When Demand Be- comes Insistent Europe
 Will Provide Bottoms

The reports that incessant inquires from Sweden. Italy, Switzerland, Norway and other countries of Europe were being re- ceived In New, York for coal in any uuan- titles for steam purposes interested local men yesterday. It was stated by officials of the Pratt Consolidated company, which concern maintains European agencies in Liverpool and London, that the local com pany had no advices from the European agents lately. Nothing later than 10 days has been received.
 It was stated by K A. Konville, general sales manager, that until the lanes are cleared for transportation between Amer ica and Europe and until bottoms are provided for coal, that Alabama could not hope to participate in the sale of coal abroad. It was held that the same disad- vantage that keeps Alabama coal away from South American ports also keeps this country from sending coal to Europe at this time. Those conditions, accord ing to MT. Konville, include the absence of financial facilities bottoms and the in- ability of Alabama to compete advanta- geously with Russia and Wales.
 VIII frOvlde Bottoms
 MT. Konville said that when the lanes were cleared for traffic across the seas and when the countries of Europe warted coal badly enough they would provide bottoms for transporting the coal and they could be loaded at gulf ports.
 We have no requests for quotations other than received some days ago." said Mr. keep us out of South America will keen us out of Europe, unless we are greatly mistaken. It is purely a question of transportation. If we could get clear lane for traffic and the necessary ships we could send the coal to Europe. Until then even though the manufacturing plants should shut down. we cannot do any business with Europe. The time will come eventually in the war when the manufacturers of Europe will want our coal so badly as to send bottoms for it. Then we can make some sales. Until then we are not prepared to help out to any great extent
 It is recalled here that when the coal miners of Great Britain were out on a strike the Pratt company sent some coal to South America to fill orders there, but the payments were made in England to the agents of the Pratt company and the bottoms were chartered there, sent to America and loaded with Alabama coal The premiums now being paid to coal dealers is unusually attractive, end Bir- mingham is sure to land some fine orders eventually unless the war ceases as abruptly as 1t began
 Inquiries in New York
 That European and South American companies are anxious to acquire Amer can coal is made known in the following excerpt from the New York Herald:
 Frantic cable messages from practi- cally every country In Central and South America and from Italy, Sweden, Switz- erland. Norway and Holland are being re- ceived here daily by coal exporters beg ging for steam coal in any quantity. Most of the railroads and electric light and power plants have sufficient supply of coal on hand to last them two months, 1t was said, but after that there is no hope of their obtaining enough to meet their needs unless shipping conditions im- prove"