El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-04-16
Cool WILDE
Higher As The
Time DragS On
Everything Points to Short
age Of Coal If People
Do Not Buy Now.


Coal prices to FL PasOans and the
southwest generally are likely to be
much higher during the coming fan
and winter than last year when the
government regulated the prices. &C
cording to Ell Paso coal dealers
While recent predictions that there
would be cheaper coal within the next
80 TO so days have been realized
(some Goals now being sold here $3.50
per ton under last months figures)
a recent development has changed the
aspect of things very materially
Tt is generally believed that presi-
dent Hays OF the United Mine WORK
ers Of America viii lay before Mr.
Wilson in Paris a request for a SIX
hour day. a Iire-day week ana IN
creased wages. Due 70 the fact tnal
none Of the Colorado or New Mexico
operators are quoting coal Tor de
livery past the month OF July, II IS
believed that this increase, II =
comes, win be effective in that month
All quotations at the mines TO date
have been put out on graduated
scale Of increases each month ana
one Of the most popular grades OF
coal used in FL PasO reaches a
figure in July Cat the mines) OF 10
cents per ton higher than the maxi
mum figure at any time during the
sages much higher figures after July
Miners Make Big Wages.
Out Of 1000 miners employed by the
Swastilza Fuel company the largest
producers in the state Of New Next
co. the daily capacity being 1O,UuV
tons Of coal and 1000 tons OF coke,
there are only something like 50 or 90
who did not have to pay income taxes
the past year An FL Pasoan recently
saw one check for one months WORK
for one miner for Sa01, and another
for S403.15. This is one Of the reasons
for high-price coal Some Of the other
reasons are enormous Increases IN
copper over prewar prices. and which
is used in large quantities for insulat-
ing purposes-steel rails, lumber.
electric motors and other things
which 90 into the production OF coal
During the period Of the war.
coal production. under the tremendous
urge Of the United States fuel ad-
ministration for increased tonnage
for the army. the navy and the allies,
actually showed an enormous in
crease. The mine operators put in
new and expensive machinery TO bring
about this increased production in
order TO meet war demands
Urge Buying Now.
Now. since the production at the
mines IS on a basis Of so per cent Of
full time production the operators
are needing orders in order 70 keep
the miners employed and consequent
" contented. and. local dealers say,
II Is the duty Of the consuming puD-
lie to show its appreciation Of the
efforts Of producers during war time,
by buying their coal from the re-
tai dealer now, so that he in turn,
can place his orders with the opera
tors
Under Washington date line OF
A Hrrn
(which has ceased to
function only with reference to
prices) put out the following infor-
nation and advice- with miners
working only half time, a coal short
age next winter is feared by the
fuel administration
Production Of both anthracite and
coal stands at a total OF
about so per cent Of full time out
put and most Of this shortage is
caused by lack OF orders" the fuel ad-
announced
Consumers are advised" says the
administration. "that the best time to
buy coal is when there is a lack Of
demand for IL. and that condition
prevails now"
Dealer Says Buy Now.
Il am strongly Of the opinion
said Frank B. Ezeil, that coal con
sumers should stock up early ana
wish TO pass the following observa-
tions= short sighted consumers are
still Of the belief that coal prices
viii 90 lower. SO they are holding off
their purchases for a while longer.
despite the fact that everything
should influence them TO the con-
trary- II a scarcity OF labor should
materialize-and the possibility is BIZ
no means remote-there are going TO
be many consumers who will wish
they had bought coal while It was