The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-09

the Fuel Administration were re-
moved on February |, 1919, the bet
ter, more desirable Goals went to
premium IN the open competitive
market and the less desirable Goals
declined in price He stated that
this was the action to be expected in
market where the buyer exercises
his choice and can obtain the kind he
prefers. As result instead of the
uniform prices in different districts.
which were fixed by the u S. Fue!
Administrator. prices promptly
spread out. some coal going higher
and some lower than they had been.
The charts submitted to the Com
mittee showed that in districts pro-
ducing high quality Goals. such as
Pittsburgh, Southern Illinois. the
Harlan Field Of Kentucky. etc.
prices had remained at about the
level set by the Fuel Administration.
or had advanced few cents above
that level, In most districts, how
ever. such as Central Pennsylvania.
Northwest Pennsylvania, Eastern
Ohio. Central Illinois, the Hazard
field of Kentucky, Northern West
~ Virginia. etc. Mr.. Morrow said, Goals
of lower grade are produced. In
such districts, prices declined from
10 cents to 10 cents per ton below
the prices which prevailed under the
u. s. Fuel Administration.
Cost Increases
"Meaptime," MIR. Morrow said,
"the cost Of producing bituminous'
coal is higher now than it was a
year ago. due to the fact that the
mines then we're operating six days
a week and in many cases are now
operating only four days per week
and some cases only three days a
week. The overhead expense of
maintaining mines goes on just the
same whether Goa. is produced or
not. These idle day expenses have
resulted IN increased costs per ton, as
compared with last year. When
these increased costs ARE considered
IN connection with the general de-
crease IN prices, 1t Is clear that
profits of bituminous coal operators
are materially less than year ago"
Mr.. Morrow drew comparisons be-
tween the prices of bitumlnous Goals
at the mines lE the United States
and foreign countries.
Prices at the mines in Great
Britain" he said. ARE about three
times the mine prices prevalent in
the United States: in France the
NINE prices are more than three ana
a half times those of the United
States. English mine prices range
from $ "a to STA per ton. while
bituminous coal in France Is costing
about 1916 per ton at the mines.
The average mine price of bitumi-
nous coal sold in the United States is
in the neighborhood Of $40 per
ton"
Effect Of OR Shortage.
The effect of car shortage Upon
coal production was testified to by
John Callahan, Traffic Manager Of
the National Coal Association
"Car shortages caused the coal
mines to fail to produce $500, 900
tons Of coal during the weeks ending
August 2 and August g." Mr.. Gala
han said This is SUFFICIENT coal 20
supply the requirements Of the state
OF New Jersey for ten months.
"The difficulty today 10 q trans
portation deficiency and not q car
shortage alone. Coal is one Of the
few commodities which can not wait
on transportation. It 10 physically
impossible In many Instances. to
bring coal to the surface Of the earth
and store Il for the reason that the
pit mouth 10 on the side of a noun
tain or hill.
Moreover, the proper place to
store coal II ct the point Of con-
sumption, where il will be available
when required for use Railroad