The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-04-30

The anthracite coal trade still holds fairly
up, says Mondays Ledger, There is fair
supply Of orders for coel, aud, as there is to
be full working Of the mines, IL is not un-
reasonable 10 expect that the supply will
soon run ahead Of the demand. In order to
balance the trade the supply will then have
to be shortened. But 30 long es the trade
eets unitedly its future is encouraging.
When the several large producing COM
panies agree TO work together in the pro.
duction Of coal, and sgree to produce il no
faster than II will freely sell for at good
raging prices, the coal trade will maintain
a good outlook ond will continue a reliable
pursuit. The trouble in the past has been
want Of harmony in supplying coal and
want Of harmony in maintaining prices.
Every party having coal to sell wanted to
sell it when he sew his ncighbor selling his,
though he saw ard knew his neighbor was
selling at loss on the cost Of production.
This was great error, and has worked a
loss OF many millions to those engaged in
the business. This error being now known
may readily be cured. 1t is not so much
what the trade shall unite in doing but that
it shall unite on what il may attempt 10 do.
All the indications now aro that this will be
the rolcy OF the future. II is one that will
be sure to carry the trade through the year
free of loss, which is next 10 ensuring profit.
Every month, ON the policy above indicated
will show increased strength, aud as Its
wholesome effects are more plainly seen aud
felt the greater the probability that it will
be the more determinedly adhered to. The
coal trade now seems in better condition
than for several years past. A sound and
reliable policy is now undergoing trial test,
and all the indications are that the resul:
will be most convincing. The coal mines OF
this State are ia their extent and capacity,
our greatest sources of wealth, and are most
abundant in their amount, though we have
hardly as yet commenced their develop
ment. The year 1881, as now indicated, will
prove the crisis year in coal. How to avoid
the failing season of the past is too well
known for the most stupid again to fall into
them. Tho Pottsyillc Miners Journal of Sa-
turday last has the following in reference tc
The present status of the anthracite coal
trade "There is good demand for Schuyl-
kill ana Lehigh coal, and there is no diff.
Guilty in disposng OF all of this variety thai
is being sent 10 market. The Northern coal:
are less in demand ,or in greater abundance
and the New York market is, therefore
| overstncked. This occasioncd the suspen.
sion last week, which was demanded by the
Northern companies, and the Schuylkill re-
gion only complied in order to keep faitl
with the other interests. This ready com.
pllance with request for suspension, wher
1t is opposed TO the interests Of the operators
of region TO do so,is another argument il
favor Of the stability of the policy wbct
was pursued with such manifest advantage
last year, and should be sufficient noti6ca
tion to such purchasers as are waiting fol
break to reduce prices of the folly Of aRtic
pating such a contingency. The companie
made a cnncesso in price this month, anC
it is not likely there will he any Iuther re
ducton this year; on the contrary, the in
dications are that the price will be advanced
next month, certainly by the first ol June.