The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-22
DECIDED DROP IN . COAL OUTPUT FOR WEEK JUST ENDED Production 411,035 Tons as Compared With 427,718 Tons Week Previous NEW SYSTEM FOR
 ALL COAL DISTRICTS Judge Selheimer Speaks of Duties of the Production Committee
 at Each Mine in the
 Country

There was a decided drop in the output of coal in the Birmingham district last week, according to reports made by op- orators to District Representative E. A. Holmes, of the fuel administration, the production being 411.0S5 tons, compared with 427,71s tons the preceding week.
 Car shortage and payday are said to have caused the decreased production. Some of the mines were closed down one or two days because no cars were avail able in which to move the coal, and Sat .urday being payday at most of the mines in the district, the miners took at least part of the day off. at some of the mines a whole holiday being observed.
 Speaking of the reduced output, Judge H. c. Selheimer, manager of production in this distrct, stated that within two weeks new system would be in effect in all coal districts. The administration recently made an order providing for a productions committee at each mine in pointed by the operators and three by the miners
 DUTIES OF COMMITTEE
 ''The duties of these committees said Judge Selhein.er, twill be to inquire into three things; first, failure of miners to report for work second, failure to work eight hours a day, where they work less than eight hours; and third, general causes of a shortage of tonnage.
 ''The committees will make daily re- ports of the men who work less than eight hours a day, and of those who work eight hours, but who show ton mage loss. The committee will inquire into the question of whose fault it is whether the company or the miner Three copies of these reports will be made, one of which will be posted at the mine, and the other two sent to this office, one of which will be kept on file and the other sent to Washington.
 "If a man works short hours or his tonnage is short, he will be notified. If tho company is at fault, it will be mo- tified.
 The six members of the committee will receive commissions from Washing ton, will be a part of the government, and will be backed by the government at Washington. I am satisfied that through the workings of this committee we will get good results.
 ''One thing that, in my opinion, reduces output by at least 1 ,000, 900 tons a year is the lack of uniformity in wages for the So me kind of work and under similar conditions. duo to some companies raising wages above the schedule. This causes shifting of men and every time a man changes he losses four or five days from work, with the consequent loss of ton mage. am satisfied that 100000 tons a year is lost in this way.
 INVESTIGATE WAGES
 That matter is now being investigated by an agent from Washington. who is in the district There is no doubt but what we are getting the, men up to the point where the output could be in. creased 5,O000O0 tons year with ade- quate car movements and mining facili- ties.
 '"The relations between the miners and the operators are improving all the time and there will be further improvement and are willing to work full time from patriotic motives. if for no other cause.''
 While only few reports of operations during the week have reached the dis trict representative, those that have come indicate that car movements are about equal tN those of last week.
 Col. H. F.. Hutchens, district director of the railroad administration, is out of the city, but it was stated at his office yesterday that the fullest possible car service, with the present available cars, is now being given the coal operators.