Evening journal., 1919-07-22
COAL NOT To REACH
$40, SAY OPERATORS
Production is 100000
Tons Below Last Years,
Experts Say
MINERS INSIST ON
TAKING HOLIDAYS

NEW YORK. July 22.-Although coal
operators and experts admitted yester-
day that the fuel outlook in the United
states is the worst in years, they united
in denying that the cost Of domestic
sizes of anthracite coal might reach 500
a ton within year. They said coal at
$50 ton would bring social unrest,
with possible serious consequences.
The anthracite situation is serious. IL
was explained by Sydney A. Hale. edi-
tor of THE Coal Trade Journal" be-
| cause Of the small demand for steam
coal. Operators and dealers are forced
to carry on their business on the profits
derived from the anthracite traffic.
About 80 per cent. of the dealers in BIZ
luminous coal have lost money since
February Mr.. Hale declared
According to the figures Of the United
States Geological Survey, the coal pro-
duction this year to date Is slightly
more than 100000 tons below that Of
last year. Statistics showing he an
thracite coal mined during the weeks
ending June 2s and July ;. this year and
in 1918, Illustrate the falling off in the
production.
Year 10 date Year to date
June % ......... .3s.796,OOO 49,0770OO
July 100000 50,si2OOO
The daily average. according TO the
last report, was 2s2OOO tons, COM
pared with 32O,OO0 last year.
The miners. who worked steadily
during the war. are turning to their
fishing trips and observing holidays
more religiously, recognizing the feast
day Of almost every sect, Mr.. Hale said
Instead of overtaking the shortage, he
declared, the production is falling fur
ther behind.
Operators are viewing with uneasi-
ness the frequent rumors that the min
ers are about to demand a siX-hour day
and a flve-day week. Mr. Hale said. At
present the men work. theoretically at
least. eight hour a day for six days a
week. To grant demands for shorter
hours would aggravate the shortage, he
pointed out, and bring about a higher
price
THE reason coal went up when the
Fuel Administration went out OF busi-
ness" Mr. Hale said was because the
had set an inadequate
price. The advances i'm April were JUS
ified and the later advances are due to
he greater expenses Of production.
There is practically no surplus OF
coal at the mines. The culm banks
'annot be used for domestic consump-
ion
But the coal price will never soar
mt Of the average mans reach. Oper-
,tors and dealers realize that they are
a necessary commodity. Per
laps some Of the independent firms
~
he increased demand over supply, but
hose companies which were organized
when the railroads mined their own
oal will not take advantage Of the
ituatiOn. They have shown their will
ngness to do this time and again, when
hey have operated at a loss, waiting
or better conditions"
George NJ. Dexter, president Of the
Wholesale Coal Trade Association. was
qually positive that. despite the un-
avorable outlook, the coal price will
ever reach the 800 mark. He declared
hat the exodus Of thousands Of miners
as complicated the situation, while
'ouble in the electrical plants which
1pply the mines with power, has un-
ypectedly developed. Coal operators
ave been "rationed" on railroad cars.
e said The car shortage Is hampering
he efforts to speed up production, he
eclared
A prominent retailer suggested that
)usevives prepare their stoves for
me Of the smaller sizes OF anthracite.
e pea coal especially. This Is known
the poor mans COAL" and Is selling
this city, delivered. al $3.50 a ton.
1t coal is selling at siO65 and stove
Si0.55. These are the two favorite
ands for domestic burning Prices in
'ooklyn are 30 cents additional. hut
clude depOsiting into the cellar.
lille in Manhattan the prices quoted
ing the coal to the sidewalk.
That the high prices Of anthracite
al are probably the result Of COM
nation Of dealers was the opinion for
lac r. Oeland, Of No. ii5 Broadway.
10 headed the legal staff which acted
? the government in the prosecution
dealers charged with combining TO
prices in June, 1917. The defend
Is were acquitted