The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-08-07
The COnI Trnde.

TO week. There is steadily more demand
for coal, prices arc fully maintained, and
rather more coal is making. Confidence is
generally strengthening, and it now seems
pretty well assured that the coal trade for
the remaining months Of 1880 will be active,
and will not only save The trade for the re-
mainder Of 1880 from loss or disaster but
will carry It into ahotber year greatly i'm
vigorated. The outlook for coal and iron is
now good for BOTH and with the close Of
1880 there is good reason to look for such
results in the two great productions named
as we have not had or dreamed Of at any
time in the past ten years. The anthracite
coal trade is Of immense value, and when
fully worked through an entire year tells in
huge proportions the bulk Of coal turned
and its value in money cover astounding
amounts. 1t is not only the coal and iron
trades that just now are Frightening up, but
the condition of the situation Of the Reading
Railroad Company and of the coal and Iron
Company, which in their close connection
closely in sympathy in whatever advantage
results to either. We are glad to hear from
a reliable source that indications of the un-
tanglng 6f the complications centering in
the receiverahip promise an earlier and less
difficult adjustment than was thought. We
are not yet prepared to speak more in detail
of this promising oatlcok alluded to, but
purposes and objects are talked of and com.
mented upon by parties who Know whereof
they speak that tend very much 10 brighten
the future and encourage the hopes of those
unfortunately involved in Readings COM
plications. Two or three years Of full busi-
ness will astonish the world with its Won
derful earning capacity. We are credibly
informed that the receivers Of the Phladel-
phia and Reading Railroad Company and
of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and
Iron Company will soon be ready to make
settlement for claims for supplies and ma
terials furnished to the companies. 1t is
believed that the adjustment will take the
form of receivers certificates, to be issued by
directions of the court, and which, being a
perfectly good security, will undoubtedly
command fair price and be a source OF
great relief to numerous creditors whose
limited capital has been locked up by the
suspension Of the companies. The commit
tee of the schuylkll Coal Exchange have
issued circular to the effect that the anth-
racite coal interests have agreed to continue
the suspension of coal mining in August, as
follows: Stop york on the 5th, 9th, 7th, 18th
18th, 18th, 10th, goth, 2lst, Goth, 9th, and
2sth. To fully carry out the spirit of the
agreement it is essential that the riinihe
hosting, preparation and loading oil Goa
during those days be entirely discontinued
and it is earnestly hoped that the above
agreement for suspension will be carried ou
by every one in the most perfect good faith
The companies thus agree to continue th'
half time suspension during the month o
August. There was strong feeling IN fav
or of two weeks total suspension, but {
minority objection overruled this. Had i
been adopted we think that its influence ol
buyers would have been much more marked
The public has witnessed much of half tim
work, and yet seen an attendant supply q
coal, and it is still unwilling to believe tina
all wants cannot be supplied if the sam
policy be continued indefinitely. In thi;
however, there is likely to be some disap
poinlmentJ but then there is the certant,
that if the companies can secure the prevail
ing prices they will work full time. This +
the ordinary mind would mean produc
tiun twice as large as is now being furnish
ed. 1t will be found, however, that if tn
output on full time is increased 80 per cent
il will be large. The mines will not be abl
to do proportionatsly nearly as much, Will
ton facilities will act largely in curlailn!
The Coal Trade journal, in its encouragn
comments, says the trade has not bee
marked by any special activity, yet Cos
still continues to be taken in sufficient quau
tity to prevent an unwiedly accumulate
in first hands, while, except in some specia
varieties, the outspoken figures of theeircu
lars are rather the exception than the rul
as to prices. The fact cannot be conceale,
however, that coal is not moved with suff
cient freedom to secure the steady busine,
which had been fondly hoped for. Th
, general public, with the suspicious begotte
OF the experience of the past few years, sl
hcsitates about laying in its winter supply
and many manufacturers and other consuu
! ers, with the same faith in their own jud.
meut, are taking the chances as to pric,
later on. For this condition of mistrust III
companies haye only themselves to blam
In our judgment, the most direct way
: giving emphasis TO the trade is IN cause
total suspension of mining in the entire al
thracite region for at least two consecuti,
weeks during the month of August. Wit
no coal coming forward for that period dea
ers would deplete their stocks and the ca
now in first hands be set moving. Resuml
ton would find us late in the season, wit
many gaps in stock 10 fill and a demar
from the more remote points and shoal WI
ter places that cannot safely wait muC
lohger With this impetus the trade wou
probably start of with vigor. The publ
has the same access to coal statistics as Il
y, specialist, aud it'stands recorded that vii
the present system of hall time work-whi,
- simply means that one or two of the col
panes have mined much less, and son
nearly the same quantity, the net result b
"A ing that, between them all, the market h
= lad too much cual 1.-THE tonnage has con
n dangerously near to the overproduction
,t last year In fact, the companies have be-
r doing a very goud six months work and
mr. prices far from unsatisfactory. The thong
N naturally suggests itself that, if during t
first six months 81 the year over lO,OOO,O o
tons were supplied TO the market on hi
time work, there cannot be much fear d
coal famine :f the rest Of the year is work
m full time. The situation needs the best ca
and Led0er, I'd inst