The New York herald., 1869-05-14
THE PENNSYLVANIA COAL TRADE.
From the Pniladelphia ledger, Nav IT,

From the Philadelphia Ledger May 12l
the anthracite coal trade Is not working satisfacto-
fiy Tor either producer, carriers consumers. The
production OF coal during the winter months was
larger than usual for the cold season. and has stea-
present time 30 that the increased production up to
Thursday last, over corresponding time last year,
was tons the total OF all the leading carrying
companies amounting to 4,132,51 tons, against
3,ss4S93 tons last year. Notwithstanding this in
crease the market Is not gorged as Is evidenced IN
tae iact that the price Of coal is still ngh Indeed
at the last public sale OF Scranton coal New York
the prices realized were higher than those OF the
%ners haS pn' aad IN tine aPs tss
frequent ".strikes' and ''turnouts'' last
year, that brought SO much suffering upon
repetition Of like folly this year deemed i'm
prooable and the price Of coal, under free compe-
tltion ana anobstructed production, it was anticl-
pated might be brought within reasonable limits,
making the market easy for consumers without de-
pressing the prices below living profit to pro-
the yards for family consumption are exorbitantly
highhgher even than they were last year at cores
R0nd9g t sme Fof gross & ton OF Lehgh coal de,
to be IN this MARKET the metropolis Of the State in
which so many millions Of tons are imbedded within
for the fact that the trade is controlled not by the
best, but by the least Informed In 1t. Rude, in
conslderate men, last year. not only refused to
work themselvesas was their right to refuse II they
did not wish 70 labOr-but consplred to prevent
others from working, many OF whom desired work,
to the serious loss Of all concerned and especially
consumers. This year less violent policy but one
equally effective Of the desired result OF maintaining
high prices Of fuel, was determined upon. The Ex-
ecut1ve Committee OF the WOrkingmen's Benevolent
ASSOCIATION located in the anthracite coal region
did by authority claimed to be vested in them issue
formal order, giving notice to employers and all
consumers Of coal that there would be suspension
OF coal mining from the 10th inst to be resumed
we suppose at the pleasure Of the same authority.
This order did not prohibit timberng and repairing
OF mines, which was intended to be continued so
that when trade should be resumed it would be very
active. The purpose Of this movement was to
Keep up prices and had to considerable extent
the countenance and approval OF coal operators 1t
to buy IN their winter supplies early by fostering the
idea that prices shall not be lower and may be
necessarily halts and the prices Of shares Of COM
panies engaged in coal carrying probably will fall IN
price; but the seasons business Is not likely vary
much, as the market supply must be had through
have prevailed in the Scranton region. and notice
has been published by the miners at PittstOn that
scnuylkill and Lehigh regions the cessation from
mining is universal, and, what makes the move
ment the less excusabe In those regions, there
Il, Is evidence eS ,o tnat is with the eo1nvance %
have agreed, in some instances, to furnish tempo
rary aid to miners while they thus starve the mar
xet and arbitrarily force up prices on consumers.
Yesterday IN this city, the price OF Lehgh coal, per
long ton, was put to nine dollars. How prohibit
tory duties, excluding foreign coal. be justified to
consumers In face Of facts like those now existings
The anthracite coal tonnage for the week ending on
Thursday last reported by all the leading carrying
companies in the State was 1924 TONS against
3Os 10 tons In corresponding week last yearan In
crease OF oS 1853 TONS The aggregate tonnage by the
same companies tor the year tons, against
1884, 1893 tons in corresponding time last year-shOw
ing an increase OF 67s tons. The trade active
last week under the impression that there would be
suspension OF work at the mines from the 10th
instant but as this has been postponed as is hoped,
Indefinitely, 1t Is generally expected that the market
in the Immediate future will be duh and probably at
lower prices.