CHANGES IN PRACTICE
The technique of coal mining in many districts, and the development of heat, power and coal products are not far advanced. Wasteful methods are used, mostly as a result of competition and lack of co-operation and organization among producers. Economies are being advocated, however. Labor-saving machinery has been installed in many mines. A number of power plants have been erected near the mine mouth and the power distributed electrically, thus eliminating freight charges on coal. Central heating and power plants that can burn coal efficiently will no doubt be more popular and numerous in a few years. Government control and legislation may be expected to hasten the changes. In Europe the technique of coal mining, except in undercutting machinery, is further advanced than in the United States, as regards mining all the coal and in supporting the surface.
Improvements in coking ovens may soon make possible the manufacture of some sort of coke from almost any bituminous coal. While all coke may not be satisfactory for modern blast-furnace practice, any future lack of coke will probably be offset by the development of electric smelting, so the seriousness of the metallurgical need is doubtful. The proportion of by-product coke ovens, which make for cheaper coke by providing for other marketable products, is increasing.