The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-30

The anthracite coal trade, says the Phila-
delphia Ledger, Of the 2bth, developes little
that is new beyond steady improvement
The output gradually increases over last
year, and the demand has been much better
than il was last July, although just now
there is slight curtailment Of the orders in
market The large fleet ofvessels that came
into port last week are, however, being load
cd Tor their return voyages with as much
celerity as the shipping facilities allow.
There has been nothing done yet towards
fixing the schedule Of prices for next month,
and the probability seems to be against any
change from the rates now ruling. Some OF
the anthracite interests had suggested an
advance in the smaller sizes, but the pre-
ponderance Of opinion in the trade seems to
be against making any change in any size
Of coal until the autumn trade begins in
September. They are talking Of making a
small general advance then, but IL is too far
ahead for definite plans to be formed now.
The trade has this year got on so far har-
monously, and the indications are that this
harmony will continue throughout the sea-
son. A fair business at current prices is ex-
and though the output of anthracite is thus
far more than $500 900 tons greater than it
was for the same period last year, yet the
market has taken it, showing how much
better conditioned are our great industrial
and manufacturing interests that depend
upon anthracite coal for their fuel. There
is, however, all the time the risk that the
consumers may put off purchases too long.
As the season advances, with good demand
the market is at any time in danger of be-
ing choked with orders, for the autumn
always brings an accelerated demand for
coal. The present condition Of the trade is
such that suspensions of work, while still
suggested in some quarters, may not have
TO be again resorted to this season, as the
mincrs Of most kinds of coal can find a
market for all they are at present taking
out. Another three days suspension is how
ever, still urged by the New York interests.
1t is noticed also that thereis no cutting Of
coal prices to speak Of. The increased de-
mand is legitimate, and provided for main
ly at schedule prices. The war for tonnage
between the companies, when money had
to be raised at any cost, has passed, and, it
is hoped, will not soon return. As there is
a good movement of coal coastwise, freights
at this port are steadily maintained, and, in
fact, the coal shipping interest, both as to
the amount carried and the freight paid, is
in better condition than it has been at this
time of the summer for several years, The
Reading Companies finances for June show
a marked gain for the month, which, though
not so large as the gain for May, is still sat
isfactory, tho net profit having increased
about $4,000 for the month for the two
companies, while for the seven months oi
the fiscal year that have passed the gain
over the corresponding period Of the pre-
vious year is $5SS 900. THIS fact, of itself
which reflects the condition of all the coal
companies, shows how much better the state
of the coal trade is now than it was last
summer.
The total tonnage of anthracite coal from
all the regions for the week ending July 16
as reported by the several carrying compan.
les, amounted to 6S7, 7,2sO tons against 4O6,
$40 tons in the corresponding week last year
an increase OF $50, ,7S4 tons. The total amour,
of anthracite mined for the year is 13,745,
635 tons, against l1,lS2,03O tons for the
samc period last year, an increase of 2,562,
705 tons.