The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-12-25


We do not remember at any time in many
months to have seen the anthracite coal
trade in a more jubilant condition than tits
now, the end Of the first week of the last ar
rangement entered into by all the leading
coal companies TO work but half time There
is no change in the condition of the market
no scarcity of coal, no advance iI prices,
very little, il any, reduction of stocks of coal
ON hand. The only noticeable change is a
large demand for coal from consumers, who
are now free buyers at prices they could
have bought at any time within the. last two
or three months, ,butthe faint hope that thers
might be a break among producers,and coal
sell at lower prices latest in the season, re-
strained them. The last action in the trade,
agreeing to limit production, has had more
to do in giving tone to the market than
would reduction Of twice the amount that
it will be lesssned had it been effected
through some natural causej or outside Of a
mutual understanding. Consumers of coal
are now assured that there is harmony a.
mong producers and no likelihood ofa break
IN prices among them. The market is steady
in the present and the outlook all that could
be desired. The producers ofsoal have now
their business very much in their controi,
and, with the exercise Of little wisdom,
may hold it there. The first and most i'm
portant thing that should claim their atten-
ton is the fixing of prices OF coal within
reasonable limits. Unduly high prices of
coal now would tend very much TO injure
the favorable prospec. for the next year,
which was never brighter. There will be a
large production, and, at present prices, con-
sumers will be content and producers fully
rewarded. A fortnight ago, and for the past
two months, consumers were importuned to
lay IN their coal, but held aloof, taking very
little, and only in driblets Of comparatively
small amountsj now, unsolicited, they come
in troops, and are persistent in demanding
amounts larger than the operators can con-
veniently furnish them. There is still a
scarcity of vessels and navigation is con-
siderably obstructed with ice. The three
days suspension oV,lered last week, To begin
the 10th of December, will be a sufficient
regulation Of this difficulty, as well as all
others likely TO occur at this season. We do
not hear Of any complaint that any one OF
the coal combination is furnishing more dur
ing the three days suspension than its fair
proportion of anthracite production for the
week, though it might seem otherwise with
such companies as report their tonnage Of
anthracite and bituminous together, as is
perfectly proper for them to do if they so
incline, there being no restriction on the lat
ter. Many of the retail dealers in coal are
short in their supplies, and consequently
hold prices firmly up. The short supply OF
transportation is against those in need Of a
prompt supply Of coal. Shipments Of coal
West are steadily increasing promising ere
long large market there The coal agree
ment now is, We learn, to work only hall
time until the FIRST Of February and between
that time and the first Of April the produc-
tion is 10 be determined Oy a vote represent
ing two. thirds Of the whole tonnage. Il is
thought that after that time the market will
be 80 bare OF coal and the demand so great
that there will be no necessity Of further
regulating eiiorts. From the present indi-
cations such will be the case for a certain
time. OF course ID would be strange II some
eurtaiiment should not prove necessary dur
ing the summer months-Ledqeyi Monday.