Rumble of Revolution

In its Mathies Mine, Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Co. put to work last week a machine that set up the rumble of revolution in coal mining. In 60 seconds, the "Continuous Miner" of the Joy Manufacturing Co. (TIME, April 5) ripped two tons of coal off the pitface and loaded it into a shuttle train.

Joy has already delivered 13 machines, expects to turn out 300 more for which it has orders by the end of 1949. Joy's president, J. D. A. Morrow, and many of his customers are confident that they will "create a new era in coal mining."

Would the new era mean cheaper coal for consumers? There was some doubt; John L. Lewis' miners would have to be taken into account. Due partly to the warm weather, 69 million tons of coal were above ground at last count; in the piles was enough fuel for 45 days' normal consumption. Lewis was reported to be thinking of ordering his miners off on a holiday to cut down the surplus. Thus Lewis would have an easier time next spring if, as expected, he demands a 30-hour week (with 40 hours' pay). The consumer, as usual, would be expected to foot the bill.

But it was no longer as simple as that. More mechanization would probably lower mining costs. Unless some of this saving was passed on to the consumer, coal consumption would fall still farther. With oil and coal both plentiful now, high-priced coal is barely able to compete with oil, and oil prices are falling. But there was no sign that Lewis was thinking of lower coal prices.

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