COAL - Clpdigital.org

28 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
trade are too close to stand scaling. The condi­
tions in Illinois are such as to make increased
expense absolutely impossible. The alleged tri­
umph scored in getting the shot firers' law passed
may prove a costly piece of legislation to its
sponsors.
* * *
DESPITE THE FACT that its functions and powers
are not yet well defined, the formal organization
effected by representatives of the bituminous coal
operators is a wise move that must inevitably pro­
duce good results. While there is nothing in the
character of the association to give it the import­
ance of an alliance for offense and defense, it
provides the groundwork for such an organization
if the necessities of the future should be such as
to require it. For the time being it will provide
a long-needed means for the interchange of ideas
and experiences from which deductions of much
value may be made. There has been widespread
insinuation and intimation of jealousy and ill-
feeling between competing fields and operators.
If this really exists, which is extremely doubtful.
no better means of getting rid of it could be
found. At all events this first step toward unity
of action and purpose is bound to be productive
of great good for all who take advantage of it.
* * *
PERHAPS THE most pleasing feature of the r2tail
coal dealers' conventions held at Jackson, Mich.,
and Chicago, during June, was the manifestation
of the good feeling that exists between the dealers
represented and the producers who supply their
needs. It is not uncommon to find these gather­
ings dominated by a spirit of hostility and un­
friendliness to something or somebody and
generally it is the coal operator on whom
the jingoes shower their wrath. It is ap­
parent, however, that the old idea that it was
the duty of every delegate to make a display of
his ability to "talk fight," is being superseded by
modern common sense. Aggressiveness is a good
thing only when it stops short of offensiveness.
The two gatherings referred to showed abundant
evidence of hustle and business spirit, but there
was, withal, a spirit of harmony, good fellowship
and just regard for the rights of all concerned that
cannot fail to benefit everybody interested.
GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE
THE COAL TESTS BEGUN AT
THE ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION.
The United States geological survey announces
that it is presenting an opportunity to the coal
producers of the country to co-operate with the
survey in its work of testing the coals and lignites
of the United States. This work was begun
at the World's Fair grounds, St. Louis, during the
exposition and will be continued along the lines
laid down at that time. The survey is desirous
of securing from operators and others interested
in the problems of fuel consumption an expression
of opinion as to whether they desire to co-operate
in this work. Offers of coal for testing purposes
should be addressed to the director of the United
States geological survey, Washington, D. (J.
It is not possible to promise at the present time
that all offers of coal will be accepted, but the
plan is to make the investigation as complete as
practicable, distributing the work as impartially
as possible over the entire country. The distribution
of the work will depend largely upon the
replies received to the circular which the survey
is now sending out to coal operators and upon the
present and possible future development of the
coal and lignite deposits of the several states.
The tests will be made for the purpose of determining
the fuel values of the different coa's and
lignites and the most economical methods for their
utilization. Arrangements have been made with
the manufacturers of the equipment used during
the exposition to have practically all of this testing
machinery left at the disposal of the government.
In offering coal for testing purposes, operators
are requested to note the following conditions
with which it is necessary to comply:
1. The coal must be furnished to the testing
plant free of cost to the government.
2. The coal must be loaded under the supervision
of one of the inspectors employed for that
purpose, who shall be at the same time allowed to
visit the working places in the mine to procure
samples for analysis.
3. When it is possible to do so, the coal should
be loaded in box cars and shipped under seal.
Lignites must always be shipped in this way.
4. Where the market requires screened coal, this
grade will be accepted for test. The selection of
coal is always to be under the direct control of
the representative of the testing plant.
5. Where one of the problems involved is the
better utilization of slack coal, a carload of slack
may be accepted for testing purposes.
6. As soon as possible after the tests are completed
a brief statement of the results will be
furnished to parties supplying the coal, for their