The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-07-20
COAL PROBLEM
 AND BRITISH TRADE
By HOLLAND


 upon his visit to Great Britain, whence
 he returned few days ago, A c. Bed
 ford, who is chairman of the board of the Standard Oil company of New Jersey, was informed by high authority that one of the great problems which the Eng fish statesmen and nnancIers must solve, if they can, is the future relation of the coal mining industry to England's export trade and to her industrial life at home.
 Mir. Bedford was told that not again will the wages of the coal miners be estab- lished at such low figure as was the pre- yalling rate for many years until the Eu- -opean WJr began. Not again will Eng land be ebIe to produce coal with very cheap tabor. The rates demanded by the miners, rates which they LLdoubted- ly will receive hereafter, are substan- tiallv equivalent to the pay which is re- ceived by the American coal miners Be- sides they are to have shorter hours. Intimation has come from England within a day or two which tends strongly to support the statement which was made by MT. Bedford on the authority of lead ing men of Great Britain whom he met.
 There is grave danger that England is to lose a considerable part of her export trade in coal. Heretofore she has com manded that trade with the ~>orld and oy means of it has in no small measure held mastery in international commerce
 especially with South America. On the other hand our own Suthorl- ties at Washington have been quick to act so that the United States may take reasonable and honorable advantage or the conditions which prevail in Great
 Britain. The United States shipping board sanctioned on Monday of this week a reduction of g 50 ton upon the charges for transporting coal and cement to South l.. atvyy ably have in any event control or the cement market in South America, put with reduction of s2. 50 ton in the frelgnt rates for coal, the United states Wiii be in position to command South Amer ican markets This should be Of great importance in maintaining and increas- ling our commerce with that continent
 ITS EFFECT AT HOME Many have been the intimations of late that there is to be a shortage or coal III the United States which will be seriousiy felt in the late fall and winter Ihls refers to anthracite coal chiefly, but there appears to be some apprehension Of a shortage of bituminous coal.
 Now with the lowering of freight rates upon coal to South America and with the consequent increase of demand from the nations of South America for American coal the market should be so broadened as to speed up production In fact' the shipuing board intimates that a steadY South American demand for coal Will stimulate production in the United states and will keep the mines on capacity basis whereby all the needs or the United States will be met.
 It will be a serious blow to Great Brlt- ain if she loses a considerable part or her export trade in coal It is not con- ceivable that her production can be so increased in view of the shorter hours and the higher wages, as to make 1t pos sible for England to regain her export trade in coal. If she does not regain it she will meet with great difficulty in her attempt to secure once more con- siderable portion of her world trade
 CONSCRIPTION OF WEALTH
 What seems to be authentic reports from Germany indicate that the govern ment will soon be compelled to begin the conscription of wealth, and that this method of taking from the rich consid- erable part of their resources may be extended over 30 years.
 This is in line with what seems to be authoritative information brought back from England by American industrial leaders and financiers who have recently visited London. These men have been saying to their friends in this city that
 the English statesmen and financlers are now almost persuaded that in order to meet the vast demand which will bv made upon England to liquidate her war debt and to meet her other obligations II may be necessary to conscript some DOT tion of the wealth of those in England who are fortunate enough to possess riches If this be done then Germany and England may be found acting in similar way in order to obtain the means neces- sary to protect credit, to meet expenses and to restore industrial conditions.
 It would not be possible, probably. at least without an amendment to our fun- damental law. to conscript wealth direct lv in the United States. For the law de- clares that property cannot be taken by government without due compensation. It may be taken indirectly, however. Tn the form of taxes so arranged as to pear more heavily upon the rich than upon the plain people,
 Managers of some estates are already finding themselves greatly embarrassed by some features of our federal tax law. Taxes must be paid in cash. Securities or notes will not do. But there are many estates which will inventory at millions of dollars, which nevertheless are in such form that it is almost impossible to se- cure the cash with which to make the heavy tax payments which are demanded by the government. In many cases 1t has been found necessary to borrow from the banks or from individual capital money or even to sell portions of estates with which to make these payments, and of course the estates are charged with this debt This is not exactly conscription of wealth. but it amounts approximately to the same thing.
 THERE WILL BE NO BOYCOTT
 While the war was in progress the statement was frequently made that there need be no fear of the dumping Of German goods in American markets after peace was established because the Amer ican public would be disposed to boy colt these commodities. Now 1t is evident that no danger of that kind exists. Ger