Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 11-12. (1981-1982)

II. Istorie

23

POLITICA DE ACHIZITII A CÄRBUNELUI

429

THE POLICY OF STATE ACQUISITION ON THE COAL MARKET. THE EVOLUTION OF PRICES, AND THE COMPETITION BETWEEN THE COAL COMPANIES

(1919—1929)

(Summary)

In the period between the wars state became the main purchaser of coal in Romania, so that the progress of all coal companies depended on the level of the public acquisitions. This particular situation had appeared durind World War I, when state requisitioned the bulk of the coal production to secure the needs of the Romanian Railway Company and those of the Army. After the war, when the insufficiency of fuel continued to be an obstacle in the way of the economic recovery, this policy was carried on for several years.

The coal companies were discontented with the requisition policy because the industrialists were ready to pay higher prices on the coal market than the railway administration. Besides, the companies considered the level of the state prices inferior as compared to the one registered in other European countries. As a matter of fact, coal prices were very advantageous. They went up every year and ensured considerable benefits to the producers.

After 1925, due to the narrowing of the coal market, there appeared a competition between the large companies. The firms having sharers among the members of the ruling parties and political relations with these parties were favoured ini their struggle. This was, the cause of the fact that the policy of acquisitions supported Imainly the companies connected with the Liberal Party. However, between 1928—1929 the coal entreprises backed up by the Peasants Nationalist Party gained ground.

In spite of the discontent expressed by some coal companies, the price policy and that of state acquisitions represented a very efficient way of encouraging the development of the coal industry in Romania since it offered a rather stable outlet operating at extremely advantageous prices. Ü