Coal Company Lays Off Miners: South East...

Coal Company Lays Off Miners: South East Coal Co. said it has laid off nearly half its 830-strong work force at four Kentucky mines to avert bankruptcy. It has been suffering financially from a 6 1/2-year-old legal battle with Kentucky Utilities Co., its main customer. The Irvine, Ky.-based firm, which sold more than 2.5 million tons of coal in 1989, said it was in default on its bank debt and creditors were insisting on payment. It said it would continue its appeal of a $79-million judgment the utility won in 1986. The contract dispute involved prices and quality of coal.