The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-25
THE COAL TRADE.

MeettnGs of the Trade during the Week, and
the Terms Oflered-The Reply of the Miners
Expected-CoaI ILeaisiatton- Quotations, Etc.
As was to be expected, the combination of in
terests for the purpose of bringing the miners
to terms, though first regarded as of little mo-
meDt by the people at large, has now raised a
most lively excitement, and various outcries are
heard both in favor of and against the action of
the companies. Should the present situation
continue, there will be many complaints heard
OF q very vigorous character, and many who
now think otherwise will then join the COM
planners. 1t is to be hoped, as the best thing
tor the interests of everybody, that the difficulty
will soon he adjusted, but If it is not we should
have a little patience, bearing in mind that for
bearance on our part will result in much bet
ter state of affairs in the future.
There is no immediate necessity for any
alarm concerning scarcity OF fuel. We have
on hand in this city surplus enough to last
during all the time that could possibly be re-
qured for an adjustment of the difficulties If we
only knew it. Nevertheless it behooves those
consumers who Rave supply on hand to he
very economical of 1t, for by go doing the de-
mand is lessened and the retailers have so much
the less pretext for raising the rates upon what
they have in their yards, for which no higher
price has been paid, and the higher valuation of
which is most felt by the very poor people, who
cannot afford to lay in largely aud who are
obliged to purchase. The present mild weather
will materially assist in any economical moves
in this direction.
But we have not much to complain of in the
retail prices here, when we take into considera-
tion the natural tendency of human nature
under the circumstances. We believe that
some few dealers ask as high as ten dollars per
ton, but the majority do not ask that much as
yet, though all have raised somewhat.
In New York the case is far different There
both retailers and operators are combined for
the purpose of taking advantage of the situation
at the expense of the public. 1t is understood
that rings are buying up all the coal that can
be had, and are advancing the prices more and
more daily. They have already worked it as
high as $12 per ton, and one New York jour-
nal, probably in the interest of the ring itself
and with the aim of making further advance
the more easy announced during the week that
coal was selling at $50 per ton. This, fortn-
nately, turned out to be hoax, but it is entirely
possible, unless the heartless ring members are
dealt with in severe manner.
The retailers also are putting on the tariff re-
gardless of consequences, and, when selling by
the bucket to small consumers, charge at the
rate of $40 per ton. In the face of this some of
the Brooklyn coal merchants complain that
their stocks are protected from the public only
by shaky board fences, and fear that mob of
outraged citizens will take forcible possession
of their premises and distribute the coal them
selves. This they may well fear, and it is to be
hoped that such mob will do just such an act
if the heartless men continue in such course.
We do not believe that any jury could be found
who would give the dealers damages.
1t may be urged that this course of the dealers
is no more heartless than that of the coal COM
panies who produced the lookup. but the case
they may have had in view the chief reason for
the movement is the better condition of the
trade in the future to the greater convenience
of the public. But the dealers, in putting up
prices on what coal they have already bought
and paid for, have no other object than the ad-
vantage of their own private pockets, and this
at the expense of those who can least bear it.
One at least of the principal New York mining
and carrying companies is q notable exception
to the general rule. 1t refuses to sell the stock
of coal it has on hand in its New York yards,
except at retail, and even then will not sell more
than one ton at time to one family.
Various meetings of the trade and of the
miners have been held during the week. At
meeting of the combined interests-coal, iron,
and transportation-held on Thursday in this
city, terms Tere offered to the miners, who are
to hold meeting to-day for the purpose of de-
Gliding whether they shall be accepted or repu-
dated. The 80 SO basis, with sliding scale up
and down, is offered to Schuylkill; but provi-
sion is made that the Union shall no more inter-
fere with the government of the mines by the
legitimate owners. This is, in effect, a stand
against the unjust demands of the Union These
terms will be held to, as they were unanimously
adopted by all the interests: On their accept
ance or rejection by the miners depends the
continuance or end of the difficulty.
Action has been taken ny the State Legisla-
ture, directing inquiry as TO the powers OF the
railroad companies to impose the high freight
charges. This was rendered necessary to silence
the demands of the President of the Miners
Union, but there Is no probability of its going
further The men and the Union will find
themselves as little popular in Harrisburg as
In Philadelphia, save with the representatives
from their own region, and even with such
they are considered necessary evils.
All parties are now beginning to find out for
the first time-or else the gag of fear lie for the
first time removed from their mouths-that the
Miners Union is ruled by q set of ignorant men
belonging to the Irish element who rule to the
detriment of all concerned. This is what we
have been saying all along. The present gov
of hn mi mot fhn ITuinn Il
now on its last legs. Its power is gone by reason
of its long abuse. The more respectable mem
bers have taken no interest In 1t for some time,
or If they did, their sentiments have been con-
trolled by violence. These are now heartily tired
of the thing and wish themselves free 1t is
thought that this dissatisfied class includes
about half the membership. If this is so, the
combination of the companies has taken place
of the union. We sincerely hope that this de-
struction may be accomplished. combination
to procure fair measures is not undesirable, and
against such no objection can be made, but this
the Miners Union never has been, nor after
what il has been, can 1t ever be.
Members of the National House of Repre-
sentatiyes are trying to take advantage OF ths
present excitement to procure a repeal of the
duty on foreign coal, but without success as yet
This is to relieve the Eastern manufacturer
and make them independent of the anthracite
producers by allowing the entry of the Novs
Scotia semi bituminous coal which by reason o.
the situation can be had much cheaper.
At a meeting of schuylkil operators held
yesterday, an address was drawn up tQ-be pre-
sented TO the public, for the purpose'of fully
explaining the points at issue. This is imp
ant, considering the reticence which has gov
erned the action of that class in the past. /
shows that they actually do take some though
of how the public will regard their actions
Possibly, however, it Is mainly because they arr
afraid of a terrible outcry against them shouit
coal become very scarce, and prices very high.
Up to yesterday nineteen of the thirty -eigh