The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-09 00:00:00

THE PRESENT HIGH PRICE OF COAL.

TO TEE EDITOR OP THE DAILY NEW.

Slit,—l yesterday stated the high price of coal
to be owing to—let. Strikes of pitmen; 2nd. high
freights; and 3rd. lecreesed consumption. I would now
add a few words to the remarks I made on the first of these
causes, via., that it has been stated by a Northern coal
owner, "that If the coals ware brought to London un-
screened, it would be as good as throwing 1,300 men into
the trade." I think, therefore, that this is well worthy of
the ►ttention of London coal merchants, at any rate let it
have a fair trial.

With respect to throwing open the coasting trade, I
expect the shipowners will say "it will ruin their trade."
But, sir, I say the shipowners would continue to make a
fair profit were it thrown open to-morrow. We could
employ at least 300 more ships in the trade than I see any
chance of ourgetting in the present state of things. This last
there were times when we could not get ships for
London at any price at all, simply because there were none
to be had. I should say that 60 per cent. of the colliers
were diverted to the Baltic this summer, and some positively
went to Australia! These facts, with the reasons I gave
in my last letter show sufficient cause why the trade should
be thrown open. Moreover the coal trade is not the only
one which is concerned, but I leave others to speak for
themselves. It is true, we have this year been atlowed
to employ foreign seamen, but this is a half measure, cha-
racteristic of the present cabinet.
We have now in the trade a file fleet of screw colliers,
which, as they make three voyages for one that a sailing
vessel can and do, do the work for very much less money.
II id it not been for this relief, I do not kuow how much
higher freights might have gone this year.
The coasumption of coal has increased very much of late.
This fact is generally admitted, I therefore need not remark
on it. And now, sir, our trade has been attacked by the
Times, and we have not been permitted to defend ourselves
in that journal, Messrs. Cockerell and Co., and ether mer-
chants, having invariably bad their letters suppressed
when they disclosed any " disagreeable facts" respecting
the Great Northern Railway—(l expect Messrs. Cockerell
to write and confirm this). " Paterfamilias " stated that
coal merchants' profits were 6s. 9d. per ton. Messrs.
Cockerell and Co. hare shown that while they sold at 325.,
the cost to them was 30s. " Paterfamilias " stated
at the difference between the price of the Great Northern
Railway and the price of, the London cool merchants
was 10s. per ton. I reply, let any one look at
the advertisements of the Great Northern and compare them
with the advertisements of the trade, and see it they can
make 10e.per ton ditterence.lt is perfectly notorious that coals
40 ur 50 miles down the line are lie. per tun dearer then at
King's-trues, although, down the line, of course, they have
no City dues (Is. ld.) to pay. The enormous profits ob-
tained by this ingenious method, is the "reason why" they
sell "cheap coals" in Lohdon.
I hese only to add that all those who think that the
present high price of coal is making the fortunes of the Lon-
don merchants had better, by all means, come into the trade
and try to make their fortunes also. It " Paterfiimilias"(qy.
otherwise Mr. Biggins), who has now re'ired from the
business, would come and show us how we ran get— not
6s. 9.l.—but 31. per ton prolit—his statue shall adorn the
Coal Exchauge.—Your obtotent servant,
ONE OF TILE 'MADE.
Coal Exchange, Thursday.

PRIZE ESSAY.—The premium offered for the best
plan for reclaiming Dartmoor and for the development of
its various resources has been awarded to Mr. Henry Tan-
ner, estate agent of Exeter, who was the successful compe-
titor far the Royal Agricultural Society's 50/. prize for his
report on the agriculture of Devonshire. The rets.nt alte-
rations in the transportation laws have rendered Dartmoor
an object of national interest from tl:e great success which
has resulted from the establishment of the convict prisons
on the moor, and the profitable employment of the convicts
in reclaimining the surrounding waste. There are upwards
of 200,000 acres of waste land of good quali y lying in the
midst of the fertile county of Devoo, the property of the
Prince of Wales, which is now almost unproductive.