The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-02

THE PRICE OF COAL.-We have reason to
believe, says the New York Post, that the
following article, from the Newark Courier
of July 20, relates facts. Private adyices
from the coal regions lead us to advise those
who lave not yet laid in their winters sup
ply of coal to be in no haste to do so. Coal
is now higher than it will be six weeks
hence such at least is the belief of we'll
informed men. The Courier says:
"The price of coal has advanced two dol
lars per ton since the recent strike in the
mining regions. Yesterday the transpor-
tation companies again increased their
rates, and as result coal is now selling
here at nine dollars q ton. This is nothing
more than we expected, but the parties who
have thus succeeded in advancing prices
may yet find that they have overreached
themselves.
"No such advance can be justified by the
conditions of the trade. Last week the
amount Of coal sent to market was almost
unprecedented. The Schuylkill region is
doing its utmost.
"The reading railroad brought down
during the week 12l,S77 tons, its largest
weekly tonnage on record and for the
year, l,919,l93 tons, against l,904,2O2 to
corresponding time III l86S-an increase OF
1891 tons.
'The shipments by the Schuylkill canal
for the week were 80, 240 tons, and for the
season, Isl, 1886 tons, against 477,677 to
same date last year, decrease of 1854
tons. The total product of the Schuyfklll
region sent to the market this year is
2,200,5 29 tons-1S1 $50 tons less than last
year to the same date.
"The total amount forwarded south from
Mauch Chunk last week over the two rail-
roads and canal was 81, JIG tons, against
$500 tons the corresponding week last
year-an increase of 5,209 tons. The total
forwarded to market over the same lines
for the year is but $4,000 tons short Of
last year.
"This amount must be soon made ap !;
and Notwithstanding the policy of restric-
ton to six cars per day for each miner and
his assistant, which is now being rigidly en-
forced by the Workingmen's Benevolent
Association, it is probable that before fall
there will be large excess over the pro-
duction of last year from the whole region.
"The total tonnage of all the carrying
companies for the week WAS 304 ,449 toms
an increase over the previous week of about
1856, 900 tons, and for the year 6,lS3, sos
tons, against 6,73S, 377 tons to the same time
in 1864 decrease of 554,679 tons. The
increase by the next weekly report Is ex-
pected to be much larger; and as the trade
was suspended at this time last year, very
short time will be required to overcome the
deficiency on last years production.
doubtless the spectators suppose they
have the public at their mercy; but II con-
sumcrs will refrain from buying except Tor
immediate use the evil may yet be rene
died-in part at least. With idle yards,
dealers will be slow to buy, and the pro
ducing companies may be driven to abate
their extravagant demands. At any rate,
prices cannot well be advanced beyond
the present figure Had consumers gene
rally laid in their supplies during tie
strike, as we suggested, the exactions now
made would not probably have been ven
tured upon but, as it is, the wisest plan is
undoubtedly to postpone the winters pur-
chases for month or two longer.