San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-02
Weekly Curtailment Of L.
100000 Tons Is
| Expected.
Nay CLOSE MINES
|nion Operators Say They
Cannot Compete With
Independents.
Ry J. e. ROYJ.E


|Ppyrlsht by The San Antonio Light
New York, April "A new coal
ar started yesterday with every il
cation that production will be held
osely to demand. This probably
i'll mean a curtailment of tonnage ii
bout 100000 tons a week ut the
luminous mines as compared wiki
kst year. The situation is far dif-
trent in the coal industry than in
reyious years. April 1, 1922, saw
le beginning of a great bituminous
rike. On the corresponding date last
eer, both the anthracite and BIZ
lminous situations were far from
titled.
This year, however, the signing of
lng-term wage agreements has re-
owed the threat of labor disturbances
the industry. As consequence
hdustrialN consumers are using up
.eir reserve stocks. April 1. the new
pntracts for tonnage went into Ell
let. Few such contracts have been
ade this year. AS a result, as the
lines finished their old orders they
ave curtailed production or SHIT
,wn altogether. 1t is estimated that
ines shipping by rail in the Pitts
t'irg district are producing only at
Nc rate of 30 per cent Of capacity.
Fhose shipping by river boats show
Fttle effect since in most instances
Beir output goes to steel plants and
inbred industries.
May Close Mines.
The check to production naturally
hs come first to the high cost mines.
.he non-union fields where wages are
inning around $3.50 a day, have not
ben so affected as the union mines
There the scale is fixed some 50 high
y. Some of the operators in the
central Pennsylvania fields who have
.st renewed their present wage
greement for three years, predict
cir mines will be forced to close en-
rely. They say they cannot CON-
hte with non-union mines when de-
and is light.
In the Pittsburg district the de-
and for slack is very light. yet this
fade must be produced if lump coal
to be provided. This has aided to
aintain the firmness of lump, since
10 operators figure that run of the
inc coal must bring in at least 81
ton on the average to enable them
operate. Slack is down to 81 70
10 a ton for steam grade. TIE
Efect of shipments to the North and
Fest by Great Lakes may cause some
Improvement in this situation, but this
rs not made its appearance yet.
A number of large anthracite opera
frs. including the Delaware, Lacka-
hanna and Western Coal Company,
G Lehigh. Wilkesbarre Coal Com
4iny and Williams and Peters, affil-
4ted with the Erie interests, together
it'll several independent producers.
l. fsterday put into effect a cut of 80
nts a ton to stimulate demand for
e large stocks of hard coal now on
and.
Other producers are expected to take
|knilar action soon. One of the large
distributors here followed immediate
; with a reduction of 75 cents in
|ntail prices, affecting both domestic
Y d steam sizes. Dealers and railroad
3en say something is necessary TO
Nike this coal move since demand is
Epw and no threat of labor trouble
w hangs over the market.
New Factor in Steel.
dThe next two weeks will see develop
\ ents in the West which will have
Fore than a slight influence on the
Heel situation Of the country. The
|plumbia Steel Corporation has just
Nut into commission at Pittsburg.
NAL. the only sheet mills west of
He Mississippi. These four units will
Elnfine their production for a time
4 wire nails and sheet steel for roos
Us and siding purposes.
ION April 10. the company will blow
N its blast furnace and put in conf
y ssion its own coke ovens in Utah.
Mr. the first time Western steel
&ncern will be entirely independent
II the East for raw materials, since
he company controls huge iron ore
X coal deposits in Utah. The CO.
Imbia Company in its other Pitts
4rg plants is turning out steel cast
Us. bars, light structural steel and
IRE. About 1000 men are employed
{cre.
+ The new sheet plants will be sup
&smented April 10, by six new mills
the Metal and Thermit Company
n San Francisco, which will be put
4 o commission on that date. Off,
d Is of the latter company say the
E{eet demands of California. Oregon
IA Washington total $4,000 tons a
'tlr and that of this the Columbia
Wits and their own can furnish go
ID tons.
Il Advantage to West.
[fThe great advantage to consumers
the West and on the Pacific coast,
His pointed out, lies in prompt deliv-
les undelayed by long shipment from
East. There will be little or no
ference in prices, according to plans
a the Western companies. They rely
speed in filling orders to give them
u. advantage.
3rhe Columbia corporation is one of
10 launched within the last year
h large iron ore and coal holdings
4 Utah. The ether concern, Pacific
asst Steel Corporation, is still en-
ICED in smoothing out some organiza
Nficulties. This company expects
10 to build sheet mills as a part of
pig plant to be located on San Fran
leo bay.