The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-02-22
neducIng ConI Frcightr,

1t is rumored that Judge Packer and the
managers Of the Lehigh Valley Railroad are
contemplating sweeping reduction in the
freight rates on COAL to take effect on or
about the FIRST of April. IN the face of the
tri-polored, hydra-hoaded combinations that
poison from every source the currents of the
coal-trade, it is not easy for even the wisest
heads to foresee what is the best course to
pursue, as matter of protection, at the
fountain head Of this industry. There are
various aud conflicting interests to be sub
served, and there will always be as many
opinions, olasbing with each other, as there
areindiyidual interests to be injured or bone
fitted. Up to this time it has been possible
to monopollze anthracite coal mining, be-
cause the mines are bound up in mountain
rayines and are therefore hard of access ;
but the finding of coal in divers localities,
coupled with the progressive spirit ofthe peo-
pie, have rendered it almost impossible to
hold the hand of monopoly over it any
longer. 1t has therefore become almost a
necessity for the Lehigh Valley interests TO
make some progressive moye in self-defense.
A reduGtion of carrying rates would in
yolye corresponding reduction in the price
Of coal to the consumer. But there is a class
of reasoners in this valley who argue that
the higher THAT the price of coal can be
made in the market, the greater the prosper
ity of the trade, and that if the operators,
miners and carriers, identical in interests,
would Hrmly combine, and make the price
IS at tide-water, it would usher in the "bet-
ter time coming" and shed halo of pros
perity over the now gloomy coal fields
This is narrow and dangerous view of the
matter, and calls to mind the man who at
tempted to raise himself up by his own boot
straps. The argument assumes that as
much coal would be purchased and consumed
at $5 as at $3.50, which is false hypothesis.
If an unnatural high price is demanded for
any necessity it distresscs the consumer and
this, sooner or later, rebounds upon the pro-
ducer by curtaling the demand. If the
price of coal was now forced to SIS, it would
benefit q few operators and ,miners; would
throw thousands Of miners and carriers and
others engaged in iron working and in man
ufacturing, all over the country, out of en-
ployment,and bring distress to every consum-
or Of coal even to the poor man who uses it to
warm his tepoment and cook his meals. 1t
is, indeed, the opinion of many that if all
the cliques and combinations in the anthra-
cite coal regions could be hopelessly broken
up, and our carrying companies, operated
upon q more economical basis, would take
the products Of the mines to market at the
lowest possible figures, new life would be
infused into coal mining and selling, and
play an important part in lifting the gloom
that envelopes nearly all our industries.
Coal having become necessity, like every
other necessity, should become subject to the
law of supply and demand. This change
would put thousands Of now idle and hun
CRY people to work, and no greater blessing
can be thought Of in each community than
that which will assist in putting the unem-
ployed to earning their daily bread.