Coal

The ample surplus of bituminous coal now mined has driven down prices and in the union fields (through Illinois particularly), is forcing suspension of mining activities. So high did the coal union wage scales raise the cost of production, that the union bituminous fields cannot compete with the sections where mining labor is not completely unionized and where wages can correspond to the normal forces of supply and demand.

The non-union miner, during periods of coal scarcity, has enjoyed a lower wage as a general thing than the union miner. On the other hand, during the recent period of surplus coal, the unionized miner has found himself out of a job. This in turn means that the dues of the miners' unions will begin to fall off, and in the near future they are likely to play a less aggressive part in the industry than formerly.

In Illinois there were 352 mines operated in 1920, but only 261 are functioning at present, with several mines seriously threatened by suspensions and receiverships.

It has long been recognized that there were too many miners and coal mines in this country, in comparison with the demand for coal. Now, after several years, the industry is feeling the same deflation as hit most other industries in 1920.