New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-05-23
The State of Trade.


mining fields of the country that is
entitled to first place as the major ele-
ment It is a case rather of many
minor developments, any of which has
in it the germ of domination, strug-
Cling for mastery. In one field it is
the car situation; in another, labor
shortage; in a third, dispute as to
prices; in fourth, growing COM
plants as to the scarcity of tonnage
and in another, decreased production
because the communities served by
the mines of that particular one have
not yet awakened to the seriousness
of the situation that confrorlts the
country.
These erratic tendencies find their
most marked expression in the btu
minous trade. To lesser degree,
they are also present in the anthra-
cite steam trade. Conditions with re-
spect to anthracite sizes goingfto the
household consumer are In pleasing
contrast. From every point that has
not been deprived of anthrac cite by
government coming orders, the cry
goes up for more tonnage. SO great
is the pressure that community nerves
are on edge and before long a recur-
renee Of sectional rivalry which is
voiced in complaints that one section
has been unfairly dealt with in sup
plies to the preference of another
will probably be in evidence.
Meanwhile, the producing interests
in this trade are devoting their best
efforts to increased output and more
expeditions delivery. The figures for
April shipments, while not equal to
the high mark made in 1915, are
cheering in that they represent sub
stantial increase over the same month
in 1917 and augur well for the rate
of production for the balance Of the
coal year. In addition, plans have
already been adopted by one COM
pany-and will, no doubt. be followed
by others--under which 1t is hoped
that the existing facilities Of trans
portation may be more effectively
utilized.
Some Of the minor developments
in the bituminous trade, a proper sub
ject for optimistic comment last week,
have taken a turn that is less favor
able The movement of coal from
the lower lake ports, which made such
a flying start has, for example, re-
ceived a set back. This is, however,
believed to be only temporary and
representations unless loadings for
the balance of the month continue to
show a downward trend. Likewise,
the latest available governmental re-
ports upon bituminous coal and coke
production show a slight falling off
for the first week in May. This is, of
course, a much more serious situation
as the demands of the country are
such that any temporary let-down in
output, however short in time. skates
perilously near to the edge of disaster.
Looking to the future, the inpend
ing conventions of the national or
ganization of the three great
branches of the coal industry are
welcomed as giving an opportunity
for much needed constructive effort.
It is trite to say that this is the day
of associations, but that does not rob
it of it's truth. There are SO many
problems incident to wartime regula-
ton that require the attention that
can be given only through a national
organization. There are, too, many
changes being forced upon the trade
because Of the present conflict that !
will leave definite impress upon the
course Of the industry long after the
war has passed into history and today
is not an hour too early to begin a,
constructive consideration Of
these problems.
For this reason, the recent confer
ence of West Virginia operators to
discuss the export trade after the war
will, properly followed up, have a
nlomentous effect upon the future of
the country. Sound business demands
a frank facing Of certain facts in the
present situaA6on and their postwar
bearings. Although it is charged that
the present rate of production is not
equal to the fuel requirements of the
output has been speeded up
to a point that now seems beyond the !
capa city of the United States to alb !
sorb when, as it expected. much of !
the war created industry will pass out !
Of existence. To permit a decline in /
coal production after the war would +
not only be unacceptable to the opera !
tors, but would, it is feared, carry ,
With 1t the possibilities of q renewal of !
price Strengthening upon scale ex- :
,eeding that of pre-war days. The :
ogjcal road of escape from this con-
urgency appears to be an expanded !
,oreign market for American Goals. /
out it is a road that can be won only !
after thorough organization ana care
Jul planning. Hence the interest
focused upon the subject now Is most
timely.
Treating the division as a whole, it .
must be conceded that conditions IN /
he wholesale trade are not entirely
;atisfa Glory to many factors engaged :,
n it, The organized, concerted effort
IF the iobbers have won for them GER
ain victories that would not have &,
aeen otherwise possible. These vic
,ories, however, have not been free
rom disadvantages and there are
many influential niddlemen who in
list that there should be further re-
Id iustrnents to enable them to be In
What they denonlinate a less artificial
position Whether it Is advisable to