coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

20 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
for the figures show that considerably over 49,-
000,000 tons have come down by boat. This huge
total is another indication that when the final coal
figures are at hand another record will be broken.
ANOTHER OLD ADAGE HAS BEEN PROVED. According
to Secretary of Commerce Redfield, American ex­
ports and imports show that trade conditions are
not what they may seem, thereby proving the say­
ing that things always are not what they seem.
There has been considerable pessimistic sentiment
bruited about. His statement shows that the pes­
simists continue to look only at the hole in the
doughnut and do not see the delicious doughnut
surrounding it.
* * *
TWO OE THE IMPORTANT MIXING INSTITUTES Of the
country have held their sessions during the fort­
night. _.t these meetings some of the brightest
coal men in the country have been present and
have expressed their opinions on various subjects
connected with the trade, with mining and with
the perplexities that confront those engaged in the
industry. Several of the papers presented at these
meetings appear in this issue of THE COAL TRADE
BULLETIN and they are well worth perusal. These
meetings are among the bright spots in the indus­
try as they bring practical men together and per­
mit of the exchange of views that will work for
the betterment of the trade in every way.
* * *
MINE WORKERS' ELECTIONS ARE BEING HELD in
different section of the country just now. These
elections are being watched by the trade as a
whole more closely than they were at this time last
year, as the officers chosen now will be the ones
to negotiate the wage scale at the expiration of
the present one in March, 1914. Some changes
are being made, but in the main the miners are
entrusting their affairs to the men who have
guided them for a year past, and in some instances
for a decade or more. Meanwhile every effort is
Iieing put forth to solidify tse ranks of the men
against the time when they will meet the opera­
tors in conference over the scale.
MINE INSPECTORS OF PENNSYLVANIA HAVE BEEN
TOLD to enforce more rigidly the laws governing the
operation of the mines of the state because figures
received at the department of mines show the
principal cause of accidents is the fall of roof.
As roof falls will decrease in number in proportion
to the care exercised by the miners is increased,
the action of the department in ordering more cars
in this respect is worthy of commendation, and
the state officers should have the support of all
connected with the mining industry in carrying
out a strict compliance with the law.
* * *
PETTY STRIKES CONTINUE TO BE THE BANE OF THE
COAL INDUSTRY. In most cases these could be
obviated if the men would live up to their con­
tract, or would take the matter up along the lines
laid down in the scale under which they are work­
ing. Instead they walk out of the mines, and
there follow two or three days of idleness with
consequent loss of wages to the men, loss to the
operator and disarrangement of the affairs of both.
ft would be far better if a less precipitate course
were taken.
Prom the number of receiverships announced
lately it looks as if the government officials' state­
ment that the coal trade was bankrupt is a mighty
good guess.
* * *
And still the petty strike
Bobs up to vex mine owners
No matter how they'd like
To have them gone forever.
• • •
Weatheritis was the principal ailment of the
coal trade during the fortnight. The doctor for
the disease is named Jack Frost.
* * *
New ideas seemed to float through the air at
mine meetings during the fortnight.
* * *
May you have a merry Christmas with lots of
orders in your stocking.
* * »
Iron ore shipments just missed the fifty million
mark by a few cargoes.
* * *
Miners' elections sure attract attention these
days.
A new coal field has been discovered near Brownwood,
Tex.