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28 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
THE HON. GEORGE F. HUFF, president of the Key­ Even if it should be or such a depth the element
stone Coal & Coke Co., one of the most important of time from the lake to the Pittsburgh region
of Pennsylvania's fuel producing interests, is being and return would be a highly important item in
importuned by representative bodies of his con­ the cost of transportation. If the canal were in
stituents to announce himself for the Republican existence bulk would be broken at the lake shore
nomination for the gubernatorial office. The com­ as now by the big vessels and then it would be a
mercial interests of the commonwealth would be question between quick rail and slower canal
well served by a man of Colonel Huff's business traffic. The element of time will be of some
breadth and experience as its governor. It is to importance. If it is intended, however, to
be hoped that he will decide to avow his candi­ operate on lake and canal a class of boats that
dacy in good time. Whilst Colonel Huff is un­ will not need to break bulk at the lake harbor,
questionably an ideal business man's candidate, but continue on to the interior, then it might
it is a most substantial tribute attesting to his become a question of competition with the smaller
popularity and prestige that the first suggestion freighters of the immense freighters and the
on the matter should have come from the labor railroads combined. There are considerations
interests. The miners, meeting at Greensburg. growing out of these suggestions wnich will be
have called for his candidacy. Farmers of West­ weighed well by investigating capitalists. There
ern Pennsylvania have supplemented and empha­ is no question of the canal putting the railroads
sized this demand. His business integrity and out of business; that is an impossibility, for the
success and high standing as a statesman point to canal would not be able to handle ail me traffic
Colonel Huff as the thoroughly fit man. His popu­ nandled by the railroads. A canal would suplarity
further strengthens him as the people's plement them and be a rate regulator perhaps;
candidate as well as the Republican party's. Care­ but the question for the investor would be
ful consideration of the man and all circumstances
bring conviction that the Republican party should
find it expedient to nominate him, not only be­
cause his election would be an easy accomplish­
ment, but because his administration would of
necessity be to the entire satisfaction of all in­ restrain it from mining coal under the Mononga­
terests and all the people.
* * *
CARGOES OE THE LAKE STEAMERS bear on the
attractiveness of the proposed Lake Erie and
Ohio River ship canal as an investment for capi­
tal. The carrying capacity of the lake vessels
increases from year to year. In 1901 the record
cargo of iron ore was 7,378 tons. Last year the
steamer Augustus B. Wolvin carried a cargo of
10,245. gross tons. This year the steamer El­
bert H. Gary, whicli went into commission on
May 29, has carried 10 larger cargoes, the largest
being of 12,338 gross tons, from Escanaba to
South Chicago. The George W. Perkins which
went into commission July 11, has delivered seven
cargoes of more than 10,000 gross tons each. The
Gary with her record cargo had a draft of 22
feet. It is not intended that the Lake Erie-Ohio
ship canal shall accommodate any such vessels.
whether it would pay dividends.
* * *
INTERESTING TEST LITIGATION is brought forward
by a suit that the federal government has insti­
tuted against the Bessemer Coal & Coke Co. to
hela river, near Pittsburgh. The question, which
is engrossing from the legal standpoint, means
T"
a great deal of money to coal mine owners in
Western Pennsylvania, and is equally pertinent
to other states where coal exists under navigable
waters.
ADDING TO LAKE DOCK FACILITIES.
The Pittsburgh Coal Co. commenced work on a
$100,000 dock at Point-Aux-Frenes, near Sault Ste.
Marie. Mich., September 24. It will be over 1,000
feet long, having a capacity of 40,000 tons, and
will supply coal to the boats of Pittsburgh steamship
line, controlled by the United States Steel
Corporation. This will enable the Pittsburgh
Coal Co. to better meet requisitions of supplies for
the steel corporation freighters on the lakes under
its contract to supply the mills, railroads and
vessels. Some of this business has been diverted
to others. The new facilities will also broaden
other lake markets of the Pittsburgh company.