New-York tribune., 1920-10-01
America Gaining
Ground i'm Worlds
Coal Export Trade
Now Selling Italy Greater
Quantity Than Britain;
English Strike MAY Give
Aid 10 American Shipping

While the United States is gaining
ground IN the worlds coal export trade.
there is still opportunity for far
greater expansion than has been accom-
phshed thus far. Great Britain is now
IN more difficult position than ever as
regards coal production and the posi-
pilty of q complete shutdown of the
mines opens up still greater prospects
for this country.
An example Of what can be done is
furnished by the case of Italy, which
before the war was importing coal from
England at the rate of more than SOO,-
200 tons monthly. For the first six
months of this year her receipts of
coal from the United Kingdom averaged
100000 tons monthly, while she i'm
ported from the United States an av-
serage of about 100000 tons per month.
IN June, however, 1926, 900 tons arrived
from this country, as compared with
5000 tons from the United Kingdom.
This is regarded by coal men as an en-
ample Of how the American coal export
trade can be built up, provided sutfi-
clent production can be attained
with Great Britain exporting more
than 100000 tons year before the
war and not in position to export
more than about 20.000,00O tons this
year, the situation contains great posi-
bllitles for American shipping in the
way OF supplying cargoes for American
vessels at time when difficulty is be-
ing experienced in securing freight.
If the threatened British coal strike
becomes effective the new merchant
marine may benefit IN another way
HPHlnSa owl px,%, ,ol
shipping uses coal for fuel, British
vessels in British ports would be laid
up indefinitely in case of a cessation
of production. About rs per cent Of the
American seagong fleet burns oil and
therefore would be in position to take
Up the carrying trade now performed by
the British coal-burning steamers. In
the event Of a prolonged strike, there
fore, shipping men look for a greatly
mage. which would not only absorb the
vessels now laid up for lack of cargoes
but would probably cause a sharp ad-
vance IN rates.
According to the National Coal AS
sociation's publication, The Coal Re-
view, Department of Commerce figures
form a cold-fact denial of the general
Indictment of the coal exporter on the
ground that he has been reaping
>
stated, show that the average price per
ton at the mines of American bitumin-
Gus coal exported during the seven
months of 1920 up to August was very
far below the price the exporters were
credited with getting. The article
adds:
The per ton value of American btu
minous coal exported during the first
seven months of 1920, according to the
department, was exactly S729. This
was the value of the ccal at the point
where it lef. the United States 1t in
cludes freight from the mines to the
spot where the coal passed out of the
country.
During the seven months total ship
ments of coal overseas were 1906 ,491
tons Upon this tonnage the depart
ment places ia value of $81,78S,S58 a
per ton value. of $S.73. This figure also
includes freight from the mines to the
port of shipment.
"a conservative average of the
freight rate would he not less than 81
basis OF computation. the f. O. b mine
value of all bituminous coal sent over
seas from January to July inclusive
period when the world wanted coal
as never before and bidders from
abroad begged coal at almost any price
from American producers S6.73
per ton. far below what Great Britain
is charging.
"Measured By the grand total of
American exports. the volume of coal
exported from the United States is in
significxnt During the seven months
American exports ran up to the huge
valuation of S4,799,05917O. The value
of coal exports was Sl12.57S,888, or less
+b,C D1o NOR cant of all EXPORTS.