Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-03-17
cUR COAL sHiPMENIs.



The railroad war now carried on between the
pennsylyania Central and the Baltimore Ohio
roads has already resulted In substantial b,noits
to this section, u II does not prove so very Tcmu-
ncratiyc to the stockholders Of those roads.
Baltimore, although twenty four miles nearer
to US than Philadelphia, has thus lar been out Of
our reach as coal depot, from the excessive
charges on the Northern Central road, and eonsc-
quenily the Cumberland coal shippers have mo-
nopolizcd that market. This will he otherwise q
the future. The change Of management Of the
Northern Central has opened up another market
for our coal product, and our shippers meet on
an equal footing in the baltimore market the Cum
bcrland coal monopolists. who until recently have
had influence enough iu the management Of the
road indicated to diseliminaie agains, this sec-
tion, and In favor Of the Cumberland shippers,
and successfully kept Us at distance.
The distance from CLARIFIED 10 Phiadephis IL
two hundred and sixty-iye miles, aud to Balti-
more two hundred and forty one miles, making a
difference Of twentyfour miles In favor Of the
latter city. But We will take the measurement In
distance from 0seeola, which Is the present cen
tire of the coal trade, and which'w find 10 lie as
follows From oseeola to Tyrone Tyrone Clear
field road) ~ miles; from Tyrone to Marysville
(Pennsylvania Central road III miles, and from
Msrysvil,r, over the Northern Central road, to
Baltimore, 50 miles, making the total distance
2ll miles. II is ll5 miles from Marysvillc 10
phiadelphia, making difference Of q miles in
favor Of Baltimore.
We transfer 10 our columns an article taken
from The Baltimore Su, which maniiestj the pro-
per tone upon this subject, and is as .oltws,
The irtr oduetion Of the bitumnous coal of the
kittaning Coal Company, from the Franklin aud
Beaver eollierics Of Clarified county, Pennsylya-
mia, at price that brings 1t into competition nth
the product Of our Cumberland mines, is an went
Of no little interest TO our citizens. These mines
are two hundred and twonty y-seyen miles from
Baltimore, and II the Pennsylvania aud Northern
Central companies will make such a contract MS 10
rates, and provide such terminal facilities as will
guarantee the delivery of tho coal, for shipment
at tdewater at a prOht, and, consequently, the
pormanency OF the trade, its activity ON both
sides Of the harbor would give tremendous i'm
petus to our manufactures and commerce.
The whole matter OF the introduction Of this
new source OF supply of bituuiinous coal turns
upon the determination Of the Pcnnsy ylvanla and
Northern Central companies TO encourage this
trade and to enter, in spite OF the longer distance
to the Cleariold mines, into healthy and bold
competition with the Cumberland operators.
That the kittaning company has the desire and
the ability to make heavy shipments to this mar
ken there can be no doubt whatever. Their coal
lands cover 1900 acres they have been for a con
siderable period In successful operation are now
mining some 25O,OOO tons a year own 23l cigh;
wheel coal ears, and have tho means, appliances
and capacity to extend their operations to 900
coo tons per annum. Their principal markets at
present are Philadelphia and New York, and
among the steamships in the latter city which use
this coal are those Of the White Star Line and tho
Pacific Mail Steamship Company. They are now
looking to Baltimore us new field Oi enterprise,
and as soon as the rates for transportation were
put sufficiently low to warrant the experiment
they sent their agent herc-Mr. J. W. smith--tn
make sales to consumers and for shipment 10 the
West Indies and elsewhere. The coal Is said to
be of excellent quality for steam generating pur-
poses, leaving but little ash, and being entirely
tree irom slate or sulphur. As tar as ii has been
tested here it seems to have given great satisiac-
tiou and 1t is certainly for the interest OF city
that the sale OF this competitive eoal--assuming
u to be all that is claimed for it-should be on
eoursged This would not interfere With the sale
Of our own Cumberland coal, but would increase
the demand for II. Tho greater the quantity Of
coal that is brought TO this market the larger tAc
trade will grow. The enormous commerce In an
thracte at Port Richmond, Philadelphia is proof
VI this. Vessels epue there from all the coast
wise ports to load with that species of fusl. and
irom the activity which its docks and wharvos
present, II has built up a populous city where but
lhirty years ago was an outlying suburb. The
wealth OF England, and tho prosperity Of her
manufactures. said McCulloch, many years ago,
are based upon her abundant supply Of coal. In
like manner, 1t Is this abundant supply Of coal
that has made Pennsy yania the chief state Of tho
Union for the production Of iron, and Philadel-
phia not only great manufacturing city but
the great mart for the export of coal and next to
coal petroleum. Our advantages in respect TO
bituminous coal are greater than those OF Phila-
delphia in respect TO anthracite, and as between
us and Philadelphia, no far as the last mentioned
fuel Is concerned the distance IL only thirty
odd miles In favor Of Philadelphia Our geo
graphical position for the distribution of both
species Of coal is superior to tina, Of our sister
city, and If the Pennsylvania and Northern Cen
trail compaaes, in pursuance Of that vigorous
policy which they have recently proclaimed, will
onter extensively into the tran portaton, not only
of bituminous coal from the Cleaffeld county
mines, but also Of anthracite OF the best quality
from the nearest accessible coal fields, at rates
that will afford the shippers a reasonable profit,
we may yet hope to see our port rival that Of
Philadelphia as a market for coal both for To-
nestle and anuiacturing purposes and for ship
inent coastwise and to foreign countries.
Tho editor Of the San Is in error when he
awards the difference in distance to Philadelphia.
All Official railroad guides settle il In favor Of
Baltimore by twenty five mies.