Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-09-19
EDITORIAL OF THE DAY
HIGH COAL AND HARD TIMES

tFrom the Chicago Tribune }
Coal operators and dealers defend the present
high prices of coal on two principal grounds. one
being the high wages paid to miners which by con-
tract until March 81 1922, and the other being
high freight rates, which run indefinitely. We
would not, they say advocate reputation of the
wage agreements with the miners and we could not
consistently, advocate reduction of coal freight
rates which would necessitate support of the rail-
roads from other source. Very good.
Yet prices admittedly high. Whereas the
total increase in production costs at the mine in
Franklin county, Illinois, is not more than $1.75 a
to Chicago is only SO cents tom the retail price of
such coal selected and delivered for furnace use in
Chicago is now quoted at 1855 ton. Perhaps the
operator doesn't get the s249 difference between the
total production cost plus freight costs and the $685.
retail price. Perhaps the retailer doesn't get it.
Perhaps each gets only portion of it. But some
body gets it. The consumer pays it.
The general policies committee of the anthracite
operators asserts that whatever price pay for coal
SAY, 81 to $14'-the mine owner on the average
never retains than AZ cents per ton. That may
be all right, but even the maximum price so men,
toned is at least $3.50 ton below the retail price
in Chicago for domestic sizes Of anthracite $3.50 a
ton below the retail price on the north shore, and
even farther below the retail price at more remote
points. Some one gets that $3.50 or $3.50. The
sumner pays it.
letter sent by 1.-THE Retail goldman" in reply to
inquiries concerning the coal situation says that
May, 1921, the consumption of railroad fuel was
probably only 81 per cent Of the 1920 average; for
electric utilities, only rs per cent for coke, only SO
per cent; for export, only 81 per cent. The total
production of bituminous for the first 100 days of
this year was 241,54S 900 tons against 320SO7 900
btuminous is used for manufacturing transport,
these figures give idea Of the slump in industry.
Is the slump in coal production due entirely to
the slump in industry Is the slump in industry due
in part to the high price of coal? Probably the lat
ter. Coal production Is a basic industry 1t cannot
keep up prices declining demand without fur
Their reducing that demand.
1t is indeed difficult to get at the root of the
evil Of high coal prices. Whenever anything is said
against these prices the complainant is struck down
by mass of figures to show that he is liar. The
prices blamed the high wages high freights,
high cost of machinery and everything possible ex-
cept high profits. If believe everything the coal
men tell will find ourselves bursting into tears
at their sad plight and honoring them philanhro-
pists. They can even weep little themselves at our
injustice and hardness Of heart. But who does not
know or know of some man group of men in the
coal trade grown wealthy In the last few years?
Their tears would be more impressive If they did not
wipe them away with new bank notes.
1t is not the duty Of the layman to solve the
problem to refute statistics All he do is to
the point that high coal prices are de-
pressing industry and tending to prevent an adjust
ment of in all other lines by helping to make
1t difficult for the workman to meet high bills from
a lower income. 1t is up to the trade to solve the
problem, il 1t takes temporary loss with some
other lines of industry. If they fail to do the
specter of national control suggested in the FIRE.
linghuysen bill is not completely laid by that 1t
may never rise again to haunt them.