The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-05-15
The Coal Trade.

The Coal Trade.
The anthracite coal trade has been un-
usually quiet during the past week. Orders
have been pretty fair and prices in the main
maintained. We are sorry to say, however,
not in every instance by all the parties to
the voluntary agreement, for it is strict ad-
herence to circular prices that is to raise the
trade from the depression that has carried
it 10 the verge Of bankruptcy at almost any
time for the past two or three years, There
is not much evidence Of breaking in prices,
and the very few instances that have come
to our knowledge are limited in the amounts
sold and the decline in prices. This makes
the transactions the more indelensible, for
it is simply breaking the market both in the
present and for the future without present
or ultimate advantage. In truth it is in
every way bad, for it encourages the hope
on the part of consumers that if they per-
sist in holding their orders out Of the mar
ket there will come a break among pro-
ducers, an excessive production of coal, and
in the anxiety to sell, damaging cutting OF
prices. The trade has advanced this year as
satisfactorily as could be expected under the
circumstances. The coal market up to the
present is in the control of the operators,
and that is a great achievement They can
furnish coal to the extent that there is a de-
mand for ii at paying prices. Beyond that
tl,n.f elN h.An n v
pected TO go. They have two or three times
already this year halted in the production Of
coal, and on one or two occasions have ad-
vanced prices and permitted the idea to go
abroad that the later in the season the lay
ing in of coal is deferred the higher will
| prices be advanced. That such should be
the result is but natural. The shorter the
I time for handling the years coal supply is
reduced the greater necessarily will be the
cost. Cheap coal in very considerable mea-
sure depends upon II long season for trans
portation. The sooner in the year manufac-
turing consumers commence laying in their
supply of coal, and the more nearly they
work up to it, the cheaper will they com
mand their fuel and the more entirely are
they out of the way of any of the vciss
tudrs tn which the trade is liable later in
the season. Theirs is no advantage in pros.
pcct this year in postponing the laying IN oI
coal. The stocks at the principle coal cen
tres are materially reduced, and production
is some three hundred and seventy. FIVE
thousand tons less than at corresponding
time last year. This loss in production is t.
be overcome in comparatively short sea
son hence to the end Of the year, which jus
now is checked by the scarcity of vessels
which is likely TO continue until pretty wei
into the month of June. We have but one
caution to consumers of coal. and that Is
not to wait for lower prices, but to lay it il
as occasion for its use occurs. There is nj
rational reason To believe that coal will 60
to lower prices hence to the end of the year
and there is every probability of the truth
Of the conclusion that the years supply will
he short Of the demand. Miners, coal ope
rators and .ransporters are now all earning
fair profits, and the experience that ho
brought this desirable result about shoulC
have fairly taught them how and at wha
cost their advantage has been obtained.
depends wholly with themselves if the,
hold it. Coal is a commodity that a dolla
IN its price on ton is scarcely appreciates
by the consumer in the month or two tha
} it is running through the household, an,
yet, counted on years consumption, i
more than twenty five millions of dollars
Those in the trade who arc endeavoring t,
stimulate it by small reductions in price, il
violation of mutual understanding, shoulC
} take care that they are not by such cours
breaking the market, to the injury of tn
consumer, by making him pay more late
in the season.-LedQer, 10h.
AT conference in Philadelphia We'd
nesday afternoon of Lehigh aud Schuylkil
coal operators it was agreed that, with tn
concurrence of the New York companie:
there should be further suspension of min
ing three days in each week for the balanc
of this month. 1t is understood that MI
; Packer will not agree to any further sus
| pension in the Lehgh region after the Is
I, | of navt month