The Washington herald., 1921-10-18

like those IN Somerset County are
running quite fully. while In the
central Pennsylvania district. where
the union scale makes the wage
cost at least rs per cent higher,
operations are reported to be
scarcely so per cent. The union
mines are handicapped in meeting
competition, especially as present
prices for coal are close to cost OF
production. because of the higher
wages they have TO pay as COM
pared with the nonunion mines.
Some sales of gas coal by Pitts
burgh houses. and the greater
strength in the coke market. are
taken as a reflection of the start
ing up of many steel furnaces that
have been closed.
Up to the first OF October the out
put of the country is 297,346. 900
tons. A rate OF 100000 tons
weekly for the three months fol-
lowing would give a total output
for 1921 of about 415,00o,000 tons.
This would coincide with the views
of those who have felt that 1t
might be something over 400.000.-
900 tons. While il will be the
smallest production since the 422.-
lU0sctV lOnS Iii 1SAts anu Will COE1-
pare with the high mark of 57g,-
$4,000 tons in the war year 1918,
whatever the final 1921 total may
be, ii will practically be a measure
of the industrial and railroad sit
uation.
FOresee no Car Shortage.
II one believes that general bust
| ness is going to be much better, he
may figure a corresponding better
ment in the bituminous industry
Few in the trade, however, have the
temerity to predict great activity in
\ nearby months. In this connection
the trade Is at a loss to understand
why the B. & o. and Pennsylvania
railroads, in notifying operators
that cars standing on sidings would
be counted against their car allot.
ment, took occasion to suggest ar
\ early car shortage. Coal men might
believe that such a development
would stiffen prices for coal, but
they cannot see a shortage impend-
ing. Most coal men would rather
have an ample supply of cars and
do a steady business If it can be
done at a profit.
Anthracite trade is without spe-
cial new feature. Lower tempera-
lures came toward the end of the
week in the East and along the At
lantic seaboard. This brought en-
couraginE reports from dealers who
were receiving a fresh lot of orders
Domestic consumers who have beer
holding back purchasing on the
mistaken belief that anthracite
would be cheaper are now coming
in and placing orders with theil
dealers.
Black Diamond View.
Black Diamond says: Not onl!
has it become definitely certain thai
the upturn in coal products, which
has been noted the last four weeks
has come to stay, but with cooler
weather has come a better feeling
in the industry as a whole. AL,
though prices in most markets re.
main stable at previously establish.
ed low levels, tonnages moved are
somewhat greater with a sense OF
stability that had been woefully
wanting all summer.
I "As was to be expected. domestic
| demand has responded more quickly
than Industrial Speaking general.
ly, however. consumers buy on q
hand to mouth basis. Little change
is observed in export demand. Thi,
market shows signs of improvement
all along the line most appreciably
in anthracite. The industrial stu.
alton remains unchanged except fol-
slightly more pronounced stiffeninI
IF spot prices on screenings"