Evening star., 1925-07-03
BIC COAL STRIKE
IS HELD UNLIKELY
Fear of Electric Power and
Greater Use of Oil Are Re-
Straining Factors.
BY j. C. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, July 3-Despite the
loudly raised voices and vigorous
gestures of both operators and miners
there is very little probability of a
Nationwide coal strike. If there
should be a suspension of work in
the anthracite fields. it would be
short. That Is the way fuel men,
both on the producing and consuming
sides, size up the coal situation today.
They base their opinions on the new
trends in business which have re-
duced the chances of a strike to a
minimum through economic pressure.
Coal Less Important
In the last two years there have
been tremendous gains in the use of
oil fuels, in the development of hydro
electric power, which has replaced
coal-burning units. in the utilization
OF gas and the processing of coal.
Diesel engines and other Internal
combustion motors have gained a
strong position, not only in marine
engineering, but even for railroad
locomotive use. Combination gasoline
and electric drive is being tried out
on a half dozen railroads where
steam engines formerly We're used.
afford to take action which would
tend to turn over to these competing
factors large portion of their
markets.
Business Poor just Now.
Dealers and large consumers here
point out that If the United Mine
Workers should call a strike in union
lied mines they would simply be do
fyNc flyw - -
ducers, whom they are especially anx-
ious to drive from the field. Few of
the operators of union mines would
object to a close-down, since they are
not making appreciable profits Many
of the mine workers in consequence.
CURED the attacks of President Lewis
of the Mine Workers in consequence.
as Is shown by the controversy be-
tween union leaders and the ConsoH-
dated Coal Co, OF which John D.
Rockefeller is a shareholder.
Anxious to Hold Markets.
II there should be long suspension
in the anthracite field, the markets
for anthracite not only would be in
vaded by the oil distributors but by
the bituminous producers, and what
was lost probably would not be re-
gained for years, If at all. The opera
tors naturally do not want to see
their markets get away from them
and neither do the miners, since a
smaller demand means smaller pro.
duction, fewer men at work and fewer
union dues collected A long strike
undoubtedly would hurt the anthra-
cite industry in all its parts, and
union leaders, it Is believed. will think
long before they deal any sort Of
blow to the only part of the coal in
dustry which is prosperous.
Both Sides. Must Yield.
The union delegates from the an
thracite fields have voted on what
they will demand of the operators
The operators already have decided
on what they will demand of the
miners and will meet in the next day
or so to make the decision official
These demands represent what each
side hopes, or would like to get. They
do not necessarily represent what
they are willing to accept. Neither
side has left out anything. the idea
being to yield a point here to gain
one elsewhere.
They have loaded the guns for the
opening of the battle over the wage
agreement. but those guns have been
aimed high on purpose.
Even If there is a suspension
September 1, there will be stocks of
into the Fall. 1t is claimed by the
operators that they have now reserve
stocks of 100000 tons. Consump-
ton during July and August should
be light and production may rise to
around 100000 tons d month up to
September /.
Copyright. 1925D