Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-05-06

Sentiment in business circles is much
more cheerful than at any time last
year, and this is especially noteworthy
throughout the agricultural districts
Although price conditions are regarded
as yet far from satisfactory, and many
people still have keen realization of
the losses they have suffered, the
country has generally recovered its
poise, and is ready to face the future
with courage and confidence.
Building operations are on larger
scale than o year ago, and sufficient
to employ fairly we'll the workers in
the building trades and building ma
teriaI industries, writes G. E. Roberts
of the National City Bank Of New
York. The automobile industry IS
much more active than year ago, and
contracts for railroad equipment are
since the war The effect of activity
in these several lines has givensa pro-
nounced stimulus to the lfon and steel
industry.
For the first two months of the pres
ent year, operating revenues of the
201 Class railroads total $796, S23, S89,
showing decrease from the like Pc
Rod in 1921 of $80s334, 381 Operating
expenses, on the other hand, amounted
to 1861, 105,06S, were 1884, 947,673 less.
Notwithstanding the heavy falling off
in gross, therefore, net operating rev.
enues Of $1S4,718;321 were $84, 613, 292
greater, and net operating income was
ST., 304, Ill, instead of deficit of 3d.
626.343 for the first twdsmonths of 1921.
The nation wide coal strike has been
in effect one month, during which
time production from non union mines
has been equal to about one-third, the
total normal production. AS yet ac-
cumulated stocks have been sufficient
to prevent serious interference with
industry or any considerable advance
of prices, but if the shutdown shall
last another month the influence prob
ably will be more apparent
The situation presented by the coal
industry is a very complicated one,
The United States Geological Survey
said Of It:
The bituminous coal mines OF the
United States have developed capaci-
ty and a present labor force far in ex-
cess of that required to supply the de-
mand. In consequence the capital and
labor engaged in the industry are idle
larger part of the time. During the
last thirty years the mines have been
idle an average of 93 working days in
every calendar year.
There is no material disagreement
about the main facts of the coal in
dustry, and the situation is so simple
that it seems strange that so little Is
said Of the remedy that is within the
reach of the miners themselves. Since
too many workers are seeking employ
ment in the industry, some of them
should leave it and find employment
elsewhere. 1t then would be neces-
sary to give regular and approximately
full employment for the remainder in
order to, get out the required supply
Of coal. The consumers of coal would
| find that in order to be sure of having
an ample supply they would have tt
| lay in stocks. The coal operators
would have to settle by competition
who should have the miners and the
business, upon the condition that ths
mines were operated all the year round
and the natural solution would be tha'
! the most available and easily worked
| coal deposits would be worked first
If the miners union would use it!
power to promote some such reason.
able adjustment as this, it would hell
| the situation of the min-workers anC
at the same time render a great serv
ice to the public.
| 1t is urged in some quarters that tn,
mining industry should taken owe
| by the government This, however
would involve purchase of all coal de
posits in the country, an impractical
undertaking, and if that was done
what policy should the government