i STEAM COAL - Clpdigital.org

44 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
follows: Best Welsh steam coal, $3.48; seconds,
$3.24; thirds. $3.06; dry coals, $3.24; best Monmouthshire,
$3.06; seconds. $3.00; best small steam
coal, $2.10; seconds, $1.98; other sorts, $1.68.
A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR
AMERICAN MINING MACHINERY.
In a recent report to the department of labor
and commerce. James C. McNally, V. S. consul at
Liege, Belgium, says:
"Among the principal industries of this consular
distiict is coal mining. The area covers
about 95,544 acres. The last published statistics
show that the product in 1993 was 6.478.119 tons
and the number of employes about 36,000. The
necessity of going deeper for the coal deposits,
which are already below the 1,950-foot level, and
the tendency toward economy have apparently
created a demand for up-to-date and powerful machinery,
and the field seems to be a good one for
dealers in coal mining appliances. Machinery
for the distribution of air throughout the underground
workings and for pumping seems to lie
greatly needed, as the water question is a growing
one. The mechanical drills now in use give
only partial satisfaction. The employment of
explosives in coal mining is about to give way to
the exclusive use of machinery. The system now
in vogue for the sorting and washing of coal could
be greatly improved and an available substitute
would be welcomed.
"North of Liege are located the extensive virgin
coal fields of the Campines. The government is
at present engaged in surveying and experimenting
there on a large scale. When uncovered, it
is said that the coal area of this region will be
one of the greatest in Europe. It is thought that
concessions for the working of the mines will
soon be granted, and that powerful boring machinery,
different from that now in use, will be required
to penetrate to the depth at which the
coal deposits are located. The ground is said
to be composed of shifting sands and aquiferous
deposits, which will necessitate particular machinery.
For the operation of the mines modern machinery
will be employed in every department.
The various uses to which electricity is put in
the up-to-date operation of coal mines are seemingly
unknown to the coal operators in Belgium.
New installations will be made and every modern
device for the speedy and economical working of
the local fields will be employed."
The offices of the Illinois Coal Operators' Association
have been re-established in the Odd Fellows'
building at Springfield. III.
TO EMPLOY CHINESE MINERS.
A. E. Smith, U. S. consul to Victoria, B. C, reports
that it has been found impossible to successfully
work hydraulic mines in any portions of
British Columbia at the prices paid for white labor,
and in consequence an effort is to be made
next season to introduce Chinese labor in the
hydraulic mines at Atlin, in the Northern section
of this province. A few years ago a number of
Japanese were taken into the district for this
purpose, but in consequence of the determined
opposition of the local miners' union the mine
owners were compelled to abandon their intention
in the matter. Since then the conditions have
considerably changed, there being far fewer white
miners in the district than formerly, while it has
been clearly shown that it is not possible to
profitably operate many of the Atlin hydraulic
properties without largely reducing the cost of
labor. Under these circumstances it is probable
that there will be less opposition to the contemplated
employment of Chinese labor particularly
at is is proposed to increase the wages of white
miners now in this district, who will be employed
as foremen and overseers. In other cases the
lalior problem is being solved in a different manner
by the adoption of a method of placer mining
by means of dredging, a practice which has given
excellent results in California.
Cannot Collect Back Tax.
The state of West Virginia has abandoned the
position recently assumed by it that the new
taxes on oil. coal and gas lease holds which have
been attracting so much attention of late can be
collected for five years back. This ruling to a
large extent does away with the probability of a
legal battle. The commission has decided that
the laws recently adopted have reference simply
to future taxations on coal, oil and gas leaseholds.
It does not order the listing of property that was
not assessed under the old laws.
Diverse Rates On The Santa Fe.
In tiie taking of depositions at Topeka, Kan., in
the suit against the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
railroad, calling for the appointment of a receiver
and revoking of charter, W. J. Healy, auditor of
the freight receipts, was examined and a division
tariff sheet was placed in evidence. The coal
rate from Frontenac and Pittsburg, Kan., to Kansas
City on eoal used by the belt line was shown
to be 60 cents. The rate on coal to Kansas City
and Argentine in 25 car lots was shown to be 70
cents and the rate to small shippers $1.40 a ton.