Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-11-23
PRICES Of COAL.
LOWER IN MOST
MINING CEN7ERs
Wide Publicity, Combined
With an Unusually Warm
Autumn, Discouraged
Buying by Consumers

Chicago, Nov. % (by the Associ-
ated Press )-EXpectation tlal
some coal operators would recoup
their losses in the recent coal
strike through increased price,
belief given wide publicity at the
end OF the strike, when one or TWO
operators were quoted to that fact,
has failed to materlalize according
to q survey or fuei conditions IN
middle western states.
The wide publicity, combined
with an unusually warm autumn
discouraged buying by domestic
consumers to such an extent thal
there had been n noticeable drop
in prices in many states. This Is
particularly noted in those coal
producing areas where freight
rates for short hauls are not q
major factor in setting their retaii
prices.
Typical of General Trend
Typical of the general trend az
cordlng to Robert Medill' state iuel
administrator of Illinois, are prices
at the central Illinois mines: lul-
mediately after the strike, the op-
orators quoted screenings, tnelr
lowest grade coal, at from 800
to 1915 at the pit mouth. Last
week central Illinois screenings
were offered as low as $l.5V ana III
spite of the reduction, the miners
are unable to book enough orders
to average fifty per cent OF proouc-
ton. ,, o
Similar price reductions are
quoted from several states ~
Kansas dealers are selling coal at
one to two dollars under last year ,
prices. Indiana, Missouri. ana
other states report lower prices.
A summary of the middle west
ern fuel situation shows:
Illinois: Considerable coal on
tracks. Miners working less thah
half the week: some car shortage
in southern fields; prices dropping
in central Illinois district.
Michigan: Utilities and manu-
facturers have sufficient suppHet
for present. .,,oro
ia no shortage in tate; demand ~
slow because of warm weather,
miners working only two or three
days each week; no car shortage.
Wisconsin,: Twelve million tons
Of soft coal on hand with 2,OO0.0oO
more expected before Navigation
closes. sufficient to meet all de"
n,ands. anthracite shortage serl-
ous with only 100000 tons on hand
and not more than 14,O00 tons
expected weekly, until naVlsalloli
closes. oot;o.,,v
normal. with retailers able to SUP
plv all customers; prices az mines
/ The same as a year ago, with, WIN
retailers selling one to two dollars
under last years market.
| Nebraska: Situation described
Nv state officials as easy" car
CONGESTION at rail centers delays
d,ytrib,ltion somewhat; no danger
~ suffering unless rail transporta-
ton breaks down.
Missouri: Consumers have sixty
dav supply on hand and are buy"
ing in small quantities in anticipa-
tion of still lower prices.
Minnesota and northwest: Situa-
ton most promising since the re-
sumption of mining in the east.
oklahoma; Supply on hand Is as
large as usual at this season, some
| mines are ldie pecduse u idNh -
orders, or shortage Of cars: ON
cials say all consumers can be sup
piled.
Texas: Warm weather and the
| widespread use OF natural gas OF.
i and ignite for heating purposes
has decreased demand; plenty or
coal now is reported on hand 70
fin orders. but the state railroad
commission anticipates possible
shortage later in the winter.