New-York tribune., 1873-02-01
VIEWs or IN OLD COAL MERCHANT.
CONFIDENCE IN TIE READING COMPANY'S PRO-
INTERCHANGEABLE PRICES PROMISED.

CONFIDENCE IN THE READING COMPANY's PRO-
JECT-REAsoNABLE PRICES PROMISED.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: As one who for 25 years resided i'll
Potsyile and miner Of coal shipper at both Port
Carbon and Mount Carbon thesschuyk, and also at
Port Richmond and who is now, and for the last %
years has been, seller OF coal in NewYork and New
England, as agent for miners, cannot allow this OPP
pOrtunltv TO pass without in some way expressing my
approval Of the mastery manner in which Mr.. Gowen
has taken the bull by the bOrns" and is solving that
problem Of profit and OsstO the miner and transporter
which has been source of anxiety TO all concerned
for period OF more than 40 years.
During many years the mining Of coal in Schuylkl
County confined principally to the soft veins known
as red ash aud branded "Spohn and Lewis" Gate,
Peach Mountain" Peach Orchard" &c. This was in
the infancy OF the trade when everything furnished
by the operatortram roads leading from the mines TO
the canal DOCKS and teams to haul the coal down
to the dock shipping schutes 10 be used in weighing,
screening and dumping the coal into the canal barge
even barges to convey the coal through the canal
10 wharves on the Schuylkill at Philadelphia ;
and finally, the wharf the Schuylkill, to
store the coal for further shipment to New
York, Boston, &c-in fact, everything. What change
has now taken place; "od things have passed away
and all things have become new >; but at what cost
The Reading Railroad Company, at outlay OF more
than $4,000 O0O have furnished 1900 miles OF road, and
this most important and valuable article. Must they
ieopardize this vast sum by aowngas they have done
year after year-a few "mddlemen" Of independent
means TO so influence the whole trade as TO embarrass
every onef
The miner, or more properly the operator, having
no means to transact business direct with the dealer
and consumer forced TO place his product in the
hands of agents aferward became the direct pur
chasers, independent OF the miner and ultimately
welded the advantage OF being able 10 BUY cheapy ana
sell dearly SO that poor operator became
barrassed that in time the Sheriff usually took posses
sion of the effects OF bankrupt after another until
at last the name OF schuyklll County coal
operator became by-word for victims OF COM
was one Of these unfortunate operators. He knows
from experience and since leaving the business has
the whole business OF both mining and transportation
from embarrassing position He has given the subject
deep consideration and finds that unity Of action among
all the antagonstlc companies could not be attained
unless he could guarantee that all IN his own region
embracing 800 individual operators each differing
in his views ans capacity, ability, &c, would unite
their divergent interests for the general good Efforts
and ended in failure. His course was plain. His mind
grasped the whole situation and with c0nnedaDe ZEAL
and In his usual prompt and energetic way. he visited
England secured the necessary means. returned. and
his company became soon after possessors OF $1,000 acres
Of coal land In schuylki and adjoining counties Now
he proposes to the Delaware and Hudson" Scranton"
Wlkesbarre" "Lehgh," and other companies to have
O uniform, paying price for their coal and railroad
can remunerate their stockholders and at the same
time be moderate In their charges. 40 that the
consumption coal may be retarded He proposes
to do away with fancy or famine prices ana adopt ui.
form scale that shall advance with the season. Thus
capitalists may employ their money 10 advantage by
laying In coal early. and be assured Of decline CIV
ing them confidence, and securing 70 the railways
steady active trade essential TO the 0f
portaon companies we'll Of all other enterprises
employing large numbers and needing transportation
trial, and all the hueandcry lie about Il.
The railways are aiming at se.tprotection. The
community VIII pay more than it should
for a un OF coal The most of the operators
tenants OF the Philadelphia aud Reading Coal and Iron
Company. whose interest 10 is that they shall be pro-
tected Mr.. Gowen may IN the management OF the
details OF Of his grand scheme hut that he means
we'll. have doubt, aud believe will crown
his efforisj az any rate, he has NY good wishes.
No. 10 IrsAity BaiIdiag, NeuS York WALtss LAwToN