The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-17
For the Good of
 the Community


 A States to the River Plate region in 1914 and 1918 were coal, oils and manu- factured products, gains and losses from the former to the latter year being as fol- lows:
 Gains (long tons) Coal and coke, 175,- 030; meat, dairy, sugar and miscella- neous food products, 53,706; iron and steel manufactures, 32, ,448; hydraulic ce- ment 25,256; paper and it's manufac- lures, 23, ,983; miscellaneous chemicals medicines cosmetics, soaps, etc., 12,332; flores and their manufactures, Il ,932.
 Losses (long tons): Wood and it's man. ufactures 232,354; mineral oils, 52,933; agricultural implements, 10,242; earthen, stone, china and glassware, 9,253.
 The River Plate region is dependent upon importation for it's coal Before the war it purchased about 4, ,OOO, 900 tons an- nually. In 1913 British coal constituted F98.3 per cent of the Argentine import of that commodity. The United States fur nished 942, ,827 tons in 1913 and 817,413 tons in 1917, and in 1918, 377,029 tons, including II, ,844 tons to the Falkland Is- lands.
 The decrease in coal exports from the United States to the River Plate region
 
 ment which provided that coal for Argen- by the United Kingdom.
 There is growing shortage of British coal for export purposes and the United Kingdom may not be able to regain it's former position. Meanwhile there is vir- tually fuel famine in the River Plate re- zion, the Argentina import having 4o ,.x amount For these reasons it is thought the United States export of coal and coke to this region will probably rise to 600, 900 tons or more during the year 1919 This report was made on July 1, 1919.
 Birmingham coal is in favorable po- sition with regard to the River Plate re- zion. Under a recent order of the United States shipping board differential of Sl.5C a ton in ocean freight rates from Mobile to South America was put into eff feet. The water rate, by way of the War rior river, from Alabama mines conve- nient to the Warrior river, is 20 per cent less than the rail rate, making another difference of about 40 cents ton in favor of the Alabama product as compared to the West Virginia, Pennsylvania and other coals in the eastern fields. This gives net differential of about S1.9O a ton in favor of Alabama coal shipped to South America
 Agents recently in Birmingham stated that they wanted to contract for 4,00O,- 900 tons for the Argentina republic, and it is understood some of the operators in this district are looking into the matter of accepting part, if not all, of this contract.
 With the circumscribed territory brought about by the zoning system dur ing the war with it's consequent curtail- ment in demand for Birmingham coal in adjoining states, and the encroachment of oil as fuel for railroad locomotives and steamships calling at gulf ports operators in this district will be compelled to look to South America as the most inviting field in which to dispose of large ton mage.
 The lower water rates to the seaboard and ocean rates from Mobile to South American ports gives them an advantage over the operators of other fields in the east and north.
 In order to take advantage of these lower rates, however adequate facilities must be provided at Mobile for tha Stor