The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-12
The Coal Trade.

The increase in the coal trade for tht
year 1873, says the Pottsyille Ai,'ers
Journal, will be in the neighborhoot
OF 900, 900 tons of anthracite, and abou
100000 tons inthe supply Of bituminoui
coal moved toward the seaboard, max
ing the increase for the year, in round
numbers, about 100000 tons. Con
sidering the tightness in the money
market that prevailed during the whole
year, followed by the crash, the increase
Is larger than we anticipated as the
season progressed, but not SO large as
we supposed II would be at the begin.
ming Of the year, before the depressed
state OF the financial affairs had been
fully indicated. Had the business 81
the country continued as active as 1t
was at the close Of 1872, the market
would have taken ut least 1000, 900
tons increase in anthracite alone.
The coal trade, We believe, was the
only branch OF business OF any magni-
tude that continued to increase weekly
during the panic, and the prices were
not only maintained but advanced 20
cents per ton after the panic had com.
monced. And we may also state that
so far as the miners and laborers en-
ployed at the collieries are concerned,
It has been one Of the most prosperous,
as they received good wages on the
basis adopted, and they had more regu-
lar work throughout the year than in
former years. The operators complain
that their proftsare not sufficient to pay
fair percentage on the capital invested
in the business, in other words the
prices paid for contract work are toe
high in the arrangement OF the basis
and that too much goes TO the employees
without sufficient profit to the operator
The employees on the other hand seen
disposed to resist any reduction OF th,
basis OF 1873, and are willing to con
tinue Il for 1874.
But, taking all in all, the coal trade
was rescued from and made profitable
in defiance Of the panic blythe thorough
organization that existed between the
associated companies and tho basis ol
prices arranged, which were to govern
the trade for the year, and which were
strictly adhered to throughout the year,
the companies having only dropped an
advance OF 10 cents for tho month oi
October, which thcy proposed making,
but did not after the panic commenced.
The trade also increased during the
panic, and the heaviest weekly increase
was made during that period; and even
for the last week the trade shows m in.
crease OF no less than 115, ,264 tons over
the corresponding week OF last year.
Notwithstanding the advance in the
price OF coal OF 10 cents per month,
amounting to 70 cents during the season,
from the opening prices Of last spring,
made an average advance OF So cents
per ton, the retail price Of coal Is as low
to-day in the cities rs 1t was last year at
this season, and in some instances
lower. This is caused mainly by les
sening the expenses in handling and
selling the coal in the cities. SO well
has the organization worked in keeping
the trade regular, while at the same
time they maintained regular prices to
the consumers generally, and the better
the arrangement becomes understood
by the people the more popular will u
become among the retail dealers in coal
and to the consumers, and particularly
TO large manufacturers, who will know
what prices they will be compelled to
pay for their fuel during the year, and
cnii mako their nnntrnnts ncnorlinrlY.