The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-12-29

Says the Philadelphia, Ledger of Monday.
A very excellent feeling, so far as we can
judge, prevades the entire anthracite coal
trade. We do not call to mind time with
in the pat ten years when the several inte-
rests in the trade were more fully in accord
than at the present moment. The miners,
the operators and the carrying companies
seemingly have united in reaching the same
desired end by the same means, which is by
lessening waste of coal and realizing liv-
ing profit on the amount marketed. The
Ledger, in favoring this movement, is not TO
be understood as favoring onerous or undue
prices of coal on consumers, bit, by more
economy in production and less violent com
petition in the marketing of coal, desires to
keep steady supply of that necessity to
comfort in the market, and thus maintain
more nearly even prices. 1t is not desirable
that prices should be reduced below pay
ing profit and thus produce bankruptcy to
the parties engaged in the trade. The sure
following of such a course is eventually
much higher prices to consumers. Every
business pursuit must pay interest on capi
tai and wages to labor or it will not be con-
tinued. The coal business is no exception
to this general truisn. Indeed, as it is one
that requires large capital to put in opera
ton, and that loses largely if its costly
machinery is allowed TO fall into disuse, it is
most important that it should be kept stead
lily in operation. To this end the proposed
combination is generally thought to be es-
sential as well TO steady prices to those who
use coal for domestic purposes as to those
who use it as a necessary and costly ingred
lent in manufactures. If coal prices huctu-
ate widely and frequently iron and other
manufacturing pursuits into which coal en-
ters also fluctuate, and finally affect wages.
Stability in the price of coal is desirable at
all points, from its bed in the mines to the
wages of the laborer engaged in attending
the machinery which the steam it generates
drives. Everybody is benefited in the
maintenance Of steady but no higher than
paying prices of coal. The belief to-day is
that an agreement among the several pro-
ducing regions and the seven large coal car
rying companies will be effected for the gov
ernment Of the trade during the next and
and several succeeding years. This agree
ment will embody substantially that pre-
pared by President Gowen, of the Reading
Railroad Company, and originally published
u lntse CDlulllnS TWO Wtths dbO 1 1HeIt were,
we Understand, but four or Ave points touch
ed at the first meeting of the representatives
of the proposed combination that ELECTED dis
cussion. Three of these were explained
ard adjusted at once. These comprise the
of q Board of Control, the
right of each interest to fix its own prices of
coal, and the establishing of a penalty for
production in excess of the amount allotted.
The provision for fund out of which penal
ties shall be paid caused some little discus
sion, and the amount originally named has
been considerably reduced, though it is by
no means certain that the best wisdom has
been shown in this lessening of the amount.
What is essential in the proposed engage
ment of the companies, one with another, is
to have the public believe that its condi-
tions are to be enforced and that it will be
permanent. A large fund raised and put at
stake for this purpose will no doubt go far in
giving assurance of stability. The smaller
amount contemplated may, perhaps, com
mand this assurance, and if so, well but
unless the public accept any arrangement
made as lasting it will prove rope of sand.
The only remaining point open for consider
alton at the meeting to be held on Thursday
next is the matter of allotment of percent
age of tonnage to each of the high contract
ing parties. As all parties so far have shown
. generous spirit of concilation there is little
reason to doubt harmonious action to the
end.
The folio wing table shows tue QuanuIy OF Goa
shipped over the Lehigh Valley Railroad for the
week enGing Dec 2lth, 1871 and for the year as