The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-11-20

The Coal TrRde.
The anthracite coal trade is fairly active
generally, though for some sizes of coal a
dullness is noticed. The orders just now
coming in are not more numerous than can
be supplied from the present product Of coal.
All the several large companies are kept
busy in supplying demands on present and
past orders, and at prices generally satisfac-
tory. We hear of no considerable stocking
Of coal by dealers,and another favorable out
look Of the trade is manufacturers and others
are not laying in supplies for future con-
sumption, showing that there is no discount
ing Of the future Of the business thus all
the trade properly belonging to 1881 will be
reserved until that date. This augurs well
for the business of 1881, which for the cur
rent year has worked a little uniavorably,
several millions Of tons having been carried
over from 1879 until 1880. The prospect in
this regard in reference to the future, as
compared with the past and present, is quite
encouraging. All the indications point to a
good trade, and prices are not complained
Of by either producers or consumers. The
only thing that we hear complained of in
all the departments Of the coal trade is that
the managers of the trade do not make their
future of supply little more explicit as TO
their future workings There has been no
definite announcement as to what, if any,
suspensions Of production are to be made
during the current year. The producers of
coal do not desire to halt so long as they
have orders at satisfactory prices, and con-
sumers are disinclined to hold out of the
market so long as the companies hold their
future policy in the dark. From all that
we car gather on this point, however, there
will be no stoppage thus year until Decem-
Der, when, about Christmas time, there will
probably be a halt Of a week or ten days.
When work resumes thereafter its continu-
ance will depend very much on the char
acter Of the winter; if the weather is OF
average severity it is believed that all the
coal that can be mined with steady market
will find prompt sale. If the winter shall
prove mild, as was the last, an over-supply
Of coal may force occasional stoppages. 1t
does not at present seem probable that the
trade for the coming year will be less than
full average one. Indeed, most persons
are of opinion that it must be much larger
as, in the nature of things, little, if any
| ..vsn h.
should be there remains the steadily grow.
ing Western demand for coal, which every
succeeding year is larger,to make the differ
ence fully up. Navigation is expected t.
close about the middle of December, wher
the coal trade balts until after the New
Year. Last year production continued unit
the oath of December, and was followed b,
a suspension of work at the mines until th,
5th of January. The amount Of coal sen
to market during 1879 was about $4,000,
900 tons, while for the year previous the a
mount marketed was l7,5OOOO0 tons. Th
supply of coal now is considered as close h
the demand as it was at the end Of 1873.
: this conclusion is cor rect, and looking TO th
greatly improved condition of the bushes
OF the country, it is quite safe to estimat
that the demand for coal in all 1880 will b
, quite as large as in either of the past tw
years. The present years tonnage is al
ready over 23, 900 900 tons, which aggregat
may be increased 100000 tons to the en-
of the year. Starting, as 1881 promises Il
with bare market and healthy outloo
= in all the industrial pursuits requiring larg
: consumption of fuel, with the prospect Of
yearly tonnage Of at least 25,000,000 ton
an aggregate that will tax pretty fully tn
. entire tonnage capacity Of all the companiC
and enable the trade to charge living pric'
without becoming oppressive TO consumes
> in their charges. Hence we say there is
healthy outlook for the coal year Of 1884,
Ledger, Monday.
For the week ending on the 18th inst
I22,O75 tons OF coal were shipped over IL
= Lehigh Valley Railroad, making a total +,
the season to that date of 4,323,64l ton
showing an increase on their business,
e compared with same date last year, of 1s6
. 1856 tons.
For the week ending on the 18th inst
there were los, 1853 tons of coal transports
over the L. & S. R. R., making a total
3,3ll,32 tons for the season, decrease
shipments, as compared with sane date la
. vear of 961 25s topa