Evening star., 1923-06-01
RECORDS NEAR TOP
IN COAL AND STEEL
Output Holding Up-FeWer
Mules in Mines Hurt BuSi-
ness of Grain Dealers.
BY y. G. ROTLE.
Special Dispatch to TIE Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, June l.-"All produc-
ton records in coal and steel are
likely to be broken this year, sa'a
John II. Jones, head of the Bertha
Coal Company, one OF the isrses'
coal producers in the bItuminous
fields of Pennsylvania. today. Con
ditions are very stable, and l look
for good business for the remainder
of the year at least. l am basing my
opinion on the daily reports received
from our Offices, which are scattered
over the country as far west as the
Mississippi river, and on statements
from important associates with whom
we do business.
Coal output today is exceeding the
tonnage mined during the stress OF
war times. But even with this tre-
mendous output, a shortage may ap-
pear before next January. In many
industries storage stocks are oelng
used up, and it is possible that the
renewal of these reserves and supply
ing OF immediate demand may prove
n serious problem for the carriers 10
face. The question of whether an
adequate tonnage can be delivered 20
consumers dependS on whether tne
TRANSPORTATION problem has been sur
fioiently solved"
Electricity Spells Doom of Mules.
The use of electric motive power in
the coal mines OF the country is max
ing a deep impression on the hay ana
grain markets. Feed dealers IN Penn-
sylvania have always counted on the
coal mines as customers owing TO the
larre number of mules used IN the
pits. Now mules are being DISCARDED
At rapid rate.
The use of electric motive power
In mines is not new, but many o. .ne
Pennsylvania properties formerly
were not within reach of power sta
tions. Now, however. the mining
country has been criss-crosseo pE
power wires of two corporations anu
even the smaller operators are sas,,t
doning animal power. AS a result
many Pennsylvania feed dealers are
going out of business.
Automobiles and tractors are re
placing horses and mules on the
farms. In fact, dozen or ths
cotton plantations of Texas have not
q single horse or mule on them. Many
eastern farmers now are buying RAIN
er than raising feed for their stock.
The anthracite and bitunlinous
mines are using approximateiy o.oof,
400 horsepower in electrical energy;
In return. the electrical industry Will
-. IL annroximately 39,000,oOO tons of
coal this year. AS result OF tne un :
precedented activity of the elec.IIc
power companies, the electrical EQUIP.
ton speed The order to the General
Electric Company for three turoo
renerators for the new plant OF the
public Service Electric Company near
Newark alone will Involve over
S1,5o0,oo
Further Curtaf1ment OF Oh FioW'
Oil producers in the midcontinentt I
field continue to furtnsr restli
crude oil output and refiners nave
showed the wholesale price Of gaso-
line up another notch. In speakinIs
OF the oil industry today, ): .. Sulii
nan of the Republic Production COM
pany. formerly president OF .he ,ae
dustry. there is a little depression at
present due In part to overproduction
and in part to speculation by inter-
ests not connected in any way Win
the business. x..,,..r +.
he added. appears to be good ana our
prosperity will continue IL we can only
have law enforcement Unless we can
have this we are headed for revolution
in the United States.
Praise Lands Committee.
CHICAGO, June 1.-Contractors here
are high in their praises VI ehe "oh
the citizens committee formed 10 en-
force the Lands wage award IN the
building trades. which passed out OF
effect today. One contractor stated that
the committee had been successful IN
eliminating certain forms OF graft IN the
building trades which formerly had
added as high as 20 per cent to costs.
Much Building fn Atlanta.
ATLANTA, June 1.-Building opera
tions continue here at the rate or s5,oOU,-
600 in new construction monthly. Inc
tendency toward higher wages in the
building trades is not so apparent mere
as in other sections OF the country, al
though there is a scarcity of workmen;;
Builders are not inclined to seek speed
at extra cost and wait until they can
assemble satisfactory forces.
Fewer Building Permits.
ST.PAUL, June The total amount
involved in building permits issued here
in MAY were almost 20 per cent less
than in May, 1922. Some building Is
being postponed. but new twenty-se
story hotel to cost s4,5o0,o00 will start
} in August.
Copyright, 1921