Lexington Secure as Coal Strick Begins, April 3, 1922

Lexington Well Guarded Against the Coal Strike. . . Several Months Supply of Domestic and Steam Coal on Hand

Lexington is well supplied with both domestic and steam coal, there being on hand in the yards of dealers and private concerns enough coal to keep things going here for several months, perhaps until August or beyond. This statement is based on information gathered by The Dispatch Saturday in view of the great strike of union coal miners which affects more than a half million men.

There is said to be enough domestic coal on hand to supply the wants of Lexington consumers until August while some of the local dealers have contract with non-union mines for both domestic and steam coal supply to be delivered later. In fact, most of the coal used in Lexington, both by domestic consumers and factories, comes from non-union fields in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. These are expected to continue in operation in spite of strong efforts by the union leaders to get them to join the walkout.

Three of the local cotton mills, the Erlanger, Nokomis and Wenonah, are now operating their steam plants with coal to supply power to drive the machinery. It is understood that all of these are stocked with enough coal to run them for several months. In addition, they have contracts with the Southern Power Company for hydro-electric power. They were cut off last fall when the water in the Catawba River became very low and have since been operating most of the time on steam. However, the water situation will probably be much better this summer than last, as last year was the driest in perhaps more than 40 years. In an emergency these plants can switch over to electric power and thus conserve their coal supply. But their present supplies are expected to be augmented from time to time by shipments from non-union fields.

Of course, the stopping of all the union mines in the central competitive fields of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and in many other states to the west, and both of the bituminous and anthracite fields in Pennsylvania will divert some of the coal form non-union territory from its normal flow into the southeast to other sections.

From the standpoint of the consumer in this section, the coal strike, if it had to come, could not have been better timed. Summer is coming on and the consumption of domestic coal will be cut greatly for the next few months. The hydro-electric power of this section protects industry to a large degree against a coal shortage.

While coal prices are not likely to be reduced for a while, there is said to be little likelihood of increased prices. On the other hand, some local shippers are in the hope that by May or June there will be substantial reduction in freight rates, which will make it possible for people to get cheaper coal next fall. Freight is now about one and a third times the amount of the coal cost to the dealer.

From the front page of The Dispatch, Lexington, N.C., April 3, 1922