coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 21
THE COAL INDUSTRY IN THE STATE OF OHIO FOR THE YEAR 1913
From all advanced reports received from the
several coal mining districts in the state, the output
of coal produced bids fair to exceed the output
for any previous year since coal statistics were
first collected by the state in the year 1872, when
5,200,000 tons of coal was reported as being mined;
the tonnage for the year 1913 is estimated to
reach 37,500,000 tons, or an increase of about three
millions over the tonnage repoited for the year
1912, when the tonnage amounted to 34,444,291
tons, which at that time was the largest tonnage
recorded; in twelve years the tonnage has almost
doubled itself.
There will probably be very little change in the
number of persons engaged in the production of
coal during the year 1913, although there may be
an increase of 1,000 over the preceding year.
There was a shortage of labor in Jefferson ".ounty
during the month of November, but this was of
short duration as the weather moderated, and there
was somewhat of a cessation of the unusually
strong demand for coal at that time; this permitted
the coal companies to handle with satisfaction
the orders they had on hand, and there was therefore
no coal shortage which, for the time being,
seemed to be in siore for the users of this kind of
fuel.
The majority of large mines worked about full
time, and the miners experienced a
YEAR OF UNUSUAL PROSPERITY,
not only in time worked, but in wages accruing
from the steady demand for the product of their
labor.
The usual drawback ol car supply manifested
itself during the months of October and November,
and bid fair to prove a severe handicap to the
trade, and this would undoubtedly have been the
result but for the moderating weather which ihe
month of December brought. This condition alleviated
what might have been a severe shortage in
fuel supply, for which, during the early fail, there
was an unusual demand, and had the car shortage
continued for any length of time, would have only
added to an already somewhat serious situation
The Hocking district will show an increase in
tonnage; the mines of this district worked steady
for the first nine months; about Oct. 1 a car shortage
set in and since that time they have worked
about half time* up until about Dec. 6, when conditions
changed and work was again good.
The Eastern Ohio district will show a large increase,
as the mines worked full time, and there
were no cessations except for repairs and improve­
Compiled by Division ol Mines, Industrial Commission of Ohio
ments such as the building of tipples, and the installation
of larger ventilating equipments.
In Jackson county the tonnage will compare favorably
with that of 1912; the supply of cars was
better than in former years; the D. T. & I. Ry..
which formerly had its drawbacks, gave better service
this year.
Lawrence county will show a large increase in
output over the years 1911 and 1912; at that time
the large producing mines wera on a strike; this
was settled in Nov., 1912, and since that time they
worked fairly well; it is estimated that the tonnage
of 1912 which was 88,000 tons, will probably
be increased to over 200,000 tons. The coal in
this county is practically all run-of-mine.
The Massillon district, according to advance reports,
will not come up to the year 1912; there
was a car shortage in this distiict also for more
than two months, and the mines as a rule worked
about two-thirds time.
The Crooksville district is reported as showing
an increase, and the
.MINES WORKED STEADIER
than any other year, but a shortage of cars developed
in September, and tbe mines for two
months worked about half time.
The Cambridge district, taking as the standard
one of the largest coal producing companies, will
show increases, notwithstanding the severe handicap
of the floods, high waters, etc.; it is estimated
that this company also will show an increase of
500,000 tons over the year 1912; there was also a
car shortage in this district during the month oi
November on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, but
at the present time the mines are operating on
good time.
The Tuscarawas district mines, with but few
exceptions, worked well. At one time during the
spring cars became scarce for about five or six
weeks, when the supply became normal, and everything
went well until October, when a shortage
again manifested itself, noticeably on the Baltimore
& Ohio. The Pennsylvania gave much better
car service, but the mines located on this road
only worked four days a week for several weeks.
However, it is estimated, that the tonnage of this
district will show an increase of from 10 to 12 per
cent, over the year 1912.
The tonnage of Muskingum county is estimated
to be about the same as for the year 1912; the
car service, with but few- exceptions, was good;
the flood was a severe handicap to the mines of
this county, and caused them to be idle for a long