The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-01-10
The Coal Trade.

Aht NNhA fSN0cs
Tho week covering the Christmas holidays
is ever dull one in the artbrfcit5 coal
trade, and the present year has been moro
than usually 50. While the production Of
coal is light the supply is more than equal
to the current demand, though in the eyea
Of the more intelligent coal operators the
prospect for the year $50 is that the produc-
tive capacity Of the trade will be taxed to
its utmost. Prices arc just now somewhat
unsettled, but it is believed the early spring
will open with such a demand for coal as to
make prices satisfactorily remunerative to
the end of the year. There is already such
a revival and start upwards in all general
business that the hope of profit from it can
not we'll let it halt, So many pursuits de-
pend on Il full supply Of coal that its pro-
duction must necessarily come into the
market The supply of anthracite coal is
confined to a centre so comparatively mar
row that the tax Of the probable demand on
the transportation capacities Of the several
regions can be approximately calculated and
all parties agree that the market demand oI
1880 will be largely increased over that Of
1879 There is just now something of q
jongle among dealers as 10 prices, and espec-
tally the retail dealers, who are free in theft
accusations, one against the other, as to uu-
dctcutting. This, if true as charged, is be-
lieved to be but temporary, and will be cor
rected by the market within two months
In the New York market, we understand
there has been no change in prices, al
least no advance in prices. 1t should be re.
membered, however, that this is ever the
very dullest period of the year, but, so fal
as we can learn, coal operators will not gen
orally fully resume mining for a week oi
two yet, which will have its advantage. A
Boston and its environs the coal trade, as a
New York and elsewhere, is reported quiet
The advertiser reports the stock held ther,
by the dealers as fair, variously estimate,
at from 10000 to 10000 tons. This, rth
winter Is no more severe in its last month
than it has been during the first, will b.
more than sufficient for the demands, bu
should the winter be moro favorable to ice
making, and hold steady late into March
there will be q sharp late inquiry, out @
which the retailers can see a further 90 cen
advance. Now the yard prices are S. 5
and Sc with Lykens Valley stock obtainin
81, and in some instances 81 80 delivered
The manufacturing interests arc reporte
well supplied. This was thought to be neal
ly developed early in the week, when sew
eral New York cargoos were offered there i
the market, and, to save demurrage, wer
compelled to shade the shipping point circu
lar rates from 80 to SO cents. The comiH
circulars, it is expected there, will make
for stove and $3.Gj fer egg and broker
hard white ash, and that the line price
will likely be still further adyanced. TIL
statement is that the iron interest is order
ing liberaIly, and that its future for ISIS
continues very encouraging to the COS
trade. A leading operators letter to h
agent at Boston, reviewing the past yes
names give anthracite collieries that hav
possibly made moneys" that "all the re
have lost money in mining, but that the be
ter prices of November and December haT
tided large number over a point whel
they wavered toward bankruptcy" Freigh
from Philadelphia TO Boston are nominal
50, but it is very difficult to get charters
this figure. A number Of the best schoone
are reported as berthed for the winter, uni
bic to secure proftabi. southern trips. Fror
every rational point of view the iron int
est and activity in manufactures general
all point to an active coal trade for 1850.