The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-09
Cheaper Coal.

There has been fall in the price OF an
thracite in Boston. Certain large dealers
made reduction OF seventy five cents per
ton from previous prices. The example
was soon followed by others. IL is now
freely offered at sG1sG.75 per ton, retail,
delivered. in lieu of s6.751s7 90, the price "a
few days ago.
This movement can scarcely be confined
TO Boston. II would seem to indicate n
probable general decline in the price of
anthracite coal. Those dealers in our
large cities Baltimore, Philadelphia, New
York, and Boston-who succeed in placing
their stocks now on hand at rates any
where near present figures, may esteem
themselves fortunate In the event of a
breaking up of the coal combination, they
will be in good form to replenish their
yards ut much lower rates. The dealers i'll
this city have so far bought sparingly, and
their yards do not present q very ami
mated appearance. The public resolute-
>, refuse TO buy more coal than is abso-
lutely necessary for immediate wants.
This feeling grows stronger day by day.
That the owners of coal mines and those
engaged in the transportation OF anthra-
and collect the oppressive tribute they
have of late years 80 remorselessly exact
ed from the public, seems more than
doubtful. At IA meeting of the Schuylkill
Coal Exchange, held in Philadelphia on
Friday last, 1t was, we understand, re-
solved to rescind the resolution passed at
a previous meeting authorizing a suspen-
nou of coal mining in the Schuylkill re-
gion for period of two weeks during Au-
gust. This action, taken III connection
with the reduction already made in Bos-
ton, looks omnous for the monopoly.
Seni-bituminous coal has Of late largely
Hled the place Of anthracite. aud this sub
stitutlon Is daily increasing.
Bituminous coal to the extent OF 20, 900, 900
tons is annually consumed in this country.
With the exception OF about 1900, 900 tons
Imported, which pays seventy-hve cents
gold per ton duty, II Is all produced here.
We do not learn that the owners Of BIZ
luminous or semi-bituminous coal mines
have establ shed a Board of Control TO ar
bitrauly FIX the rate, from month TO
month, which tue public shall pay for
their Goals. The market price is governed
by supply and demand. Under this sim
pie aud old-fashoned system, a sound
healthy, and growing trade in bituminous
coal is carried on. The immense fall
which has taken place in anthracite coal
stocks and transportation shares is the
surest indication of a probable decline in
The pi1ce Of the article, from the produc-
ton and transportation OF which these
Operations draw their revenues aud de-
rive their profits.
So far, comparatively very little an
tbracite coal has been distributed this
season. The public leave the colnbi-
nation TO store and carry immense ac-
cumulations of coal, which in other
years had already in May and June been
snugly slowed away IN the cellars OF our
citizens, while the arbitrary sums cXacted
from the consumer amounting in the ag-
gregate 10 millions Of dollars, were gratui-
tously enjoyed by the coal companies for "A
period Of five months. The consumer does
not, as a rule, commence to use his winter
coal TIL about Nov. !, and why hot let the
coal dealers store il ana keep ii at their
own risk am cost during the summer
monthsf Nobody would think Of buying
winter clothes for cash III June, aud lay
NF'Ns
weather sets in, even II tho tailors dad
combine together and announce that they
would, on the first day Of every mouth,
from July 10 January increase the price
of winter garments Would a Board of
Control, composed Of representatives from
the great clothing houses essentially differ
from the Board OF Control which repre-
pents the great coal companies' The pru-
cipls involved is the same in both cases.
Should the public continue their present
attitude Of mastery inactivity on TIM
nnlhr acite coal que. ton, should they con-
tinue to substitute semi-bituminOus fol
anthracite coal wherever practicable
much Of the anthracite coal now on hand
IN The mining regions and at the great dis
tributing centres will not be wanted al
any price during this season. Anthracite
coal would pay very handsomely II ro'
Jailed IN tins ma ket at $3.50 per ton, dc
hvered 1t could be sold at less than that
anu SIM pay fair proht, b,.slng tho cal,
cuialion on regular aud continued pro
pucuoa At the present prioe Of labor