OCR Text |
Show I'..",' " J-. .,.;.! .aC - PRICE OF COAL TO REMAIN HIGH UNTIL APRIL "I think by next April wo can look for chonpor coal," John 8, Smith told tho HotarlnnB at tholr wookly luncheon lunch-eon at tho Hotel Roberta Friday. Mr. Smlh was called upon to explain why coal la selling at ?9.75 per ton. "It Is truo that wages of tho coal mloora arc exceptionally high," said Mr. Smith, "In fact, thoy aro aboit 300 per cont higher than botoro tho war. This, howovor, la tho result of a contract entered Into by tho government gov-ernment which I understand does not expire until April, 1922." Mr, Smith told his fellow Rotar-lans Rotar-lans that nbout 80 per cent of tho cost of producing coal Is a labor charge. Ho atated that ho had been given an opportunity to examine a payroll of ono of tho largest producing produc-ing companies In this stato and thai tho nvorago wago paid to 300 mon wns ?1'J.40 por man per day. Mr. Smith explained, howovor, that the minors In Utnh had only bqcn glvon from two to throo days' work por wcok. Ho explained that much of the high cost of lump coal Is duo to the fact that tho ogg and slack coal is handled at n tremendous loss. I'rovo Post. |