The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-17

Z RAON MUD 0oy WVkOl9tOs h0 RtenSSCAA4<~AAs
at O'Clock this morning was 1.S47.
Working Conditions.
Mines idle today number 1853. Last
Thursday there were 157 down; two
weeks ago, $50; three weeks ago, 176;
four weeks ago. l63.
KanaWha Fields Better.
A noticeable improvement has tax
en- place In the Kanawha coal fields &C.
cordlng TO the reports received in
Fairmont A number OF mines that
had been shut down for some time
have been reopened. It is supposed
that quite little of the new business
consists Of lake shipments.
Railroad Fuel Economy.
The United States Railroad admin
istration has compiled statemen:
showing results In the campaign fo-
fuel economy in 1918. which indicates
in majority OF instances a saving OF
coal as compared with the two previ-
Gus years. Total tons Of coal con-
sumed in freight train service in the
year 1918 we're S6,634 as compared
with 79.454,s66 in 1916, and S6,795, 1893
in 1917. Pounds Of coal per thousand
gross ton miles exceeded by 7.6 pounds
the average coal used In 1916, and was
practically the same as that consumed
IN 1917. The figure for 1918 is 1897 (;
for 1916, 1921, and for 1917, zoos.
Coal consumed in passenger train
service in 1918 totaled 30,570,030 tons /;
in 1916, 30,4S4, 233 tons; while in 1917,
32,5S3,171 tons Of coal we're required
in this service. The average Of pounds
of coal per passenger train car mile in
1918 was 1913; in 1916 1875, and in 1917
1874. In the last six months Of 1915,
the pounds Of coal per 1000 gross ton
miles freighe train service was 1907
as compared with 201.S in 1917, or a
decrease of 5.5 per cent, and the
pounds per passenger car mile vert
1872, as compared with 1873, de.
crease Of 80 per cent.
Production Reports.
The coal year Of 1919 started with
record low production of bituminous
coal, the output for the week of April
being estimated at zoos 900 net tons
by the Geological Survey. This is
I ASS, 900 net tons or per cent. below
the output of the week OF March 20,
and 2,2S0,00e net tons, or 25 per cent
below the production for the week OF
April 6, 1918. Estimates for the calen'
dar year place the output at 1892
900 net tons, as compared with 144,-
591, 900 tons during the same period
last year a reduction OF more than
100000 tons or about 20 per cent
The observance OF April / as a min
ers' holiday was contributory to bring
ing about the low produuon for the
week.
Anthracite production during the
week was estimated at 1,272,000 mel
tons, approximately 100000 net tons
below output Of the week preceding.
For the week ending March 20 the
United States geological survey shows
f! that the actual production was 151,
451 tons In the Fairmont region. which
has full time output Of 406,034 tons
The total loss OF all causes was 1854,
583 tons, the assigned reasons, being
as follows: Car shortage, 406 tons
labor shortage, 406 tons; mine disa-
bility, 6,091 tons; no market, 244,8Ss
tons; all other causes, 2,SH tons.
Tidewater Shipments.
Shipments Of bituminous coal from
tidewater picked up materially during
the week ending April s, the Geologi
cal Survey states, rising to 470,729 ne,
tons, as compared with 402,126 mel
tons far below the volume, 698,93(
tons. of coal moved during the CORE
spending week Of 1918. Tidewatel
shipments to New England during the
week OF April are estimated at 120..
1S2 net tons, as compared with SO, 16G
tons during the preceding week.
The Weekly Digest's weekly price
report contains the following:
stripping operations in Western
Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and North
ern West Virginia reported sales OF
prepared sizes at from $1.70 to $2.25;
mine run at from $1.65 to $3.50 and
slack at from $l.50 to $2.15.
1.-THE tonnage movement from the
Georges Creek field In Maryland was
about so per cent. Of normal. Contracts
were closed on second grade run Of
mtne at S2.75 and some lump contracts
at $3.50. Operators reported that in
quiries on spot coal as well as con
tract business indicated considerable
more interest on the part OF buyers
than the week before"
| United Mine Workers.
| B. A. Scott, international board
member, Is at Monongah today.
John Custalac, district organizer. Is
at Meridian today.
J. L. Ballard, international organi
GER. is at Elkins.
NJ. L Haptonstall, district travelling
auditor. Is in the Clarksburg field to.
day.
Isaac Scott, international travelling
auditor. Is at Downs today.
| Joe Angelic, international organizer
Is on the sick list today.
John w. Brown, international or
ganizer, and II. E. Peters, district or
ganizer, will address United Mine
Workers meeting at Shinnston tonight
at $3.50 o'clock.
H. e. Peters, district organizer
leaves Clarksburg after the Shinnston
meeting for his home in Charleston
where he will remain several days.
During the absence Of Mr.. Peters
Sam Ballatyne, International board
member. will be in charge Of the Fair
mont office.