coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

20 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
The anthracite branch of the trade is moving
along in the even tenor of its way, with little ot
moment to note. Tonnage is at a fairly satis
factory stage, and the demand is about the average
for this time of year. Effective this date 10 cents
has been addel to tbe price of anthracite, this
being the first advance under the usual practice of
this branch of the trade.
• * •
WEST VIRGINIA HAS HAD IHE SECOND LARGEST .MINE
DISASTER in its history during the past few days.
Practically 200 lives bave been snuffed out, and
at this date tbe mine rescuers are still making
an effort to reach the interior of the mines in
order to rescue any that may be alive or recover
the bodies of the dead. It is too early even to
hazard a guess at tbe cause of the explosion that
occurred, but both tbe federal and slate mining
authorities may be depended on to sift tbe matter
thoroughly. One pbase of the disaster that will
be watched by the trade is the operation of the
workmen's compensation law, which will have ils
first application in a large degree following the
clearing up of the mine. Individual cases under
this new law have been decided, but this will be
the first time the trustees will be called upon to
act on a large number of cases.
* * *
FEDERAL IROOPS .NOW CONTROL THE .MI.NI.NO MITUA-
TION I.N COLORADO, and it is likely that the rioting
that has been going on there for several months
will come to a speedy end. something which is
desirable. Federal mediators also are said to be
on their way to the strike district to endeavor to
bring about some solution of the troubles, but if
tbeir efforts do not prove more efficacious than
they were some months since, there is little use in
going. In tbe meantime the special session of
the Colorado legislature will be awaited with in­
terest as it has been called especially to deal with
the present situation.
* * *
IN THE DEATH OE MIS. GEORGE F. BAEK the coai
trade has lost one of its prominent men. While
bis training primarily was that of a legal nature,
bis greatest work was done in connection with
the coal trade and tbe railroad situation. Head
of the largest anthracite producing corporation
and likewise head of the railroad that handled its
product, he was the dominating factor in the an­
thracite field and his counsel was sought when­
ever anything of moment concerning that field
was under consideration. Tbe breadth of his
work was best demonstrated in the plan of action
evolved following Ibe order of the U. S. courts
that there must be a divorcing of the railroad and
coal interests of the companies he was connected
with in an official capacity. His plan proved
acceptable to the government and was adopted.
Incidentally Mr. Baer was interested in many
other lines than that of coal and railroading.
LONG WALL BRUSHINGS 1:1
The entire coal trade joins in the "watchful,
waiting" game that is being played in wage nego­
tiations. In fact, to some of the trade it greatly
resembles the old "15" puzzle.
* * *
With Uncle Sam's troops in Colorado, rioters
wiil get some new ideas driven into their heads
about the futility of "butting their heads into a
stone wall."
« * •
The mine workers by their vote evidently con­
cluded that the policy committee of their organi­
zation knew a thing or two worth while.
* . *
Ohio operators aren't afraid to say what they
think about the anti-screen law if their brief be­
fore the federal court goes for anything.
* * *
May day is here, but it hasn't brought much in
the way of a celebrating- spirit to the coal trade.
* * *
"How is the trade?" you ask an operator.
"There ain't no such thing." he replies instanter.
Prof. R. H. Fernald. of the University of Penn­
sylvania, Philadelphia, has been appointed a consulting
engineer of the U. S. Bureau of Mines by
Secretary of the Interior Lane. Prof. Fernald
will visit Europe to investigate improvements in
gas producers.
The Norfolk & Western Railroad is replacing its
100-ton scale in the Bluefield, W. Va., yard with
one of 200 tons capacity, the change being made
necessary because of the introduction of its 90-ton
coal cars.