AMERICAN PROSPERITY

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 72, 18 December 1926, Page 26

AMERICAN PROSPERITY

COAL AT TEN SHILLINGS PER TON

“By organisation, by employers and workmen pulling together, and by the adoption of economic, methods, industry in America is prospering as never before; and there is no reason whatever why it should not be equally prosperous in Britain if all engaged in production would put their backs into it, adopt modern, up-to-date methods, and co-operate whole-heartedly in the endeavour to improve the economic situation.”

This was the opinion expressed by Mr. Harry Parrock, who for forty-five years has been engaged in the iron and steel industry in America, and is now on a visit to England. Mr. Parrock went from Brierley Hill, Staffordshire, nearly half a century ago to seek his fortune across the Atlantic, and he became superintendent of the Republic Iron and Steel Co., superintendent of the Carnegie Steel Ca. . 'of Youngstown, Ohio, and held the post of Commissioner of Public Works in Youngstown. Mr, Parrock pointed out that the reason of America’s 'success was concentration in industry, the introduction of labour-saving appliances, .the application of scientific methods, the elimination of waste; apd .the ruthless scrapping of anything which retarded the efficiency and rapidity of output. “Coal in America for the steel Industry is only about 10s. a ton, he declared, "and that low price lias resulted from iron and steel corporations and companies having their own con mines and their own railroads to carry the coal to the works—in some cases over a distance of 100 miles. “Then in America the manufactur-

ers have their own ore mines which in some instances are as many as .700 miles away. A number of the companies use their own pulverised coal. I’his coal is crushed and heated, so that when it gets to the furnace it is almost like gas, and the maximum of beat and value is got out of it. The miners in these American coal mines are producing four tons of coal each per day, as compared with one ton per man per day in Great Britain. They hew the coal by pneumatic drills, have the latest machinery for quickly getting it away, and for other purposes, earn C or 7 dollars a day (which roughly is over X 7 a working week), and the period of working is eight hours a day and a six days' week. “What do I find when I go now once more to Brierley Hill after my long separation from it? The plant there is practically the same us when I left. “We in Youngstown have gone on improving our works, the city has grown at the rate of 15 per cent, per vear, and we have labour for all who desire it. Labour-saving machinery does not throw people out of work, It creates new conditions and extra Mr. Parrock dwelt on the feeling of brotherhood in Industry which exists in America. “The employer in the States,” he said, "takes the initiative in improving the working conditions, encourages high wages, and fosters co partnership. In the United States Cop poration the employees own at least 51) per cent, of the stock. The American system does not produce dissatisfied workmen as you have them in England,”