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Show EDITORIAL Coal and the Nation's Energy The National Industrial Conference Board has published an analysis of coal in the post-war economy which shows how vital this source of energy is to the nation. Today coal accounts for about 50 per cent of all the energy generated, despite the rise and development of other fuels. It thus remains an absolutely essential resource. Greater Efficiency The efficiency of the industry is indicated by a comparison of production here and in England. -The average American miner, working one shift, produces 5.2 tons of soft coal. The average British miner gets out 1.2 tons. And that is largely the result of the fact that in less than two decades, from 1929 to 1947, the portion of our underground production which was mechanically loaded rose from 7.4 per cent to 58.9 per cent. Added Benefits What has been the effect of such progress on the Individr miner? Here again the figures are exceedingly impressive. In 1939 the average miner earned $23.88. In the first quarter of this year he earned $73.64. And thousands of miners, who wished to take full advantage of available oppotunity, exceed this average figure by a wide margin. On top of that, the board points out, the miners have other benefits which amount to an indirect increase in-crease in pay, such as the welfare and retirement fund which is paid for by a levy on each ton of coal mined. "It Takes a Solvent Industry" The coal industry is constantly bettering its plant, and developing de-veloping safer, more productive and more efficient mines. That is necessary if it is to pay these record wages and still stay in business. Without minimizing the work of the union in better-, better-, Ing the miners' position, it must be remembered that it takes a solvent industry to ; meet the bills Price Sun-Advocate. |