coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

and this labor to a very large extent is controlled
by the United Mine Workeis of America, who by
their compact organization have been able to secure
a large advance in wages during the last 16
years.
The question is whether the operators cannot
profit by taking some lessons in organization from
the United Mine Workers of America and more
publicity of the actual conditions of the coal industry.
The question is whether the cost of labor in the
cost of production of coal has not reached its apex,
and whether we should not have a breathing spell
until the consumer understands that in the end
he must pay for the value of the coal in the
ground, the wages of the miner, the cost of safetyappliance,
compensation, conservation, new laws
of taxation and a reasonable profit to the operator.
There is a tremendous waste of investment in
coal mining property, caused by an antagonistic
element, and unorganized, forces which constitute
forces today, and it seems a betterment of the industry
can only be secured by a better organization,
a publicity of the actual conditions of the
coal industry, which inig'.it help to secure some
changes in the federal lavs, and some efficient engineering
on the selling organization.
PRECAUTION AGAINST ACCIDENTS IN MINES
Notice has been given by the state department
of mines of Pennsylvania to all mine inspectors
that they must inform mine foremen that precautions
to reduce fatalities in mines must be redoubled
and the greatest care be taken to prevent
accidents from fall of coal, slate and rock.
Investigations made into mine accidents lately
by Chief James E. Roderick have disclosed that
falls have been the greatest cause of fatal accidents.
The department has prepared a letter to
be sent to the foremen and superintendents of
every mine in which instructions are given to
every foreman to see that each working place is
properly timbered by props or otherwise to within
one foot of the coal before it is blasted after being
undermined; where coal is mined by pick, foremen
must insist that niiners "square up" face of
coal before commencing to undermine and that the
provisions of the act of 1911 are followed.
The imports of coal into the United States for
September were 806 tons of anthracite worth $4,-
932; 116,469 tons of bituminous, worth $310,194,
and 12,036 tons of coke, worth $53,708. For the
nine months ending with September the imports
were 836 tons of anthracite worth $5,144; 1,035,8S7
tons of bituminous worth $2,792,809. and 58,838
tons of coke worth $271,448.
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 37
IRON ORE SHIPMENTS FOR
CLOSE TO $50,000,000 TONS.
Ore shipments for the season have been compiled
and the lake movement works out at 49,070,-
478 gross tons, being an increase of 1,634,701 tons
over the movement of 1912, says the Iron Trade
Review. During November, 3,264,565 tons were
moved and during December, 18,545 tons. Tne
ore movement during 1913 from September on
was less than the movement during the corresponding
period in 1912, due doubtless to the
spirit of unrest which has marked the trade in
general during the past few months. The summer
movement, however, was very heavy and more
than offset the fall decline.
Lake shipments of iron ore for several years past
have been as follows:
Season. Gross tons.
1908 25,427,094
1909 41,683,873
1910 42,620,201
1911 32,130,411
1912 47,435,777
1913 49,070,478
Following is the summary of the November
movement and the season's movement, with corresponding
data for 1912:
Nov., 1912. Nov., 1913.
Port. Gross Tons. Gross Tons.
Escanaba 560,328 *485,102
Marquette 214,431 194,720
Ashland 414,224 2S1.476
Superior 1,140,767 941,520
Duluth 1,080,066 SI 0,973
Two Harbors 662,858 569,319
4,072,674 3,283,110
1913 decrease 7S9.564
*Includes two December cargoes, totaling IS,545
tons.
Season 1912. Season 1913.
Port. Gross Tons. Gross Tons.
Escanaba 5,234,655 5,399,4,4
Marquette 3,296,761 3,137,617.
Ashland 4, ,97,101 4,338,23.
Superior 14,240,714 13,788,343
Duluth 10,495,577 12,331,126
Two Harbors 9,370,969 10,075,718
47,435,777 49,070,478
1913 increase 1,634,701
The Lehigh & New England railroad has leased
the Panther Creek railroad, a 32-mile line between
Tamaqua and Nesquehoning, Pa., and has been
operating it since Dec. 1.