The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-11-12
The Coal Trade.

The anthracite coal trade presents little
change within the past week. II is true,
says Mondays LEDGER. there have been fair
ly eopious rains, and il is fair TO presume
that when the water shall haye had time
TO settle away a little measure Of relief in
that regard will have been realized. The
rains have been moderate and steady for the
past four or ive days, but ii will be remem-
long continued, and it will necessarily re-
quire more than the usual fall of water 10
reach the lower springs and fully supply
them. The production of coal has been
largely shortened, the shortage gradually
increasing for each successive week for the
past six weeks, the demand for coal, and
especially for the smaller sizes, being stead
lily more and moro in excess of the supply.
1t is reasonable, however, to expect that,
with the near approach Of winter, the usual
rains necessary to fill the ponds before win.
ter can commence will probably continue
until the desired end is accomplished. The
orders for coal, however, have so increased
on the hands of the coal operators that full
supply of water and the removal of every
other obstacle to the heaviest coal tonnage
will not more than equal the current de-
mand for it. Hence we continue our caution
to coal consumers, not To postpone laying in
good winters stock of coal the trade is
liable to many contingencies, and all these
this year are against the consumers, with
none indicating lower prices for coal, which
is the only contingency that can favor the
consumer. II the winter shall open early
and with seeming severity, with compara-
lively little stock Of coal on hand, there will
no doubt be bounce in prices, which may
increase until far into the new year. It is
remembered that the stock Of coal has stead.
lily lessened for ive or six weebe, and the
orders for coal have more than doubled.
This order Of things widens the relative
sides Of the situation very much, and points
very conclusively to scarcity of coal and
very surely 10 higher prices. The coal out
look is very encouraging to those in the
trade and equally threatening to those who
may require coal all through the winter
and in the early spring. Independent of the
very low stock Of coal, it is TO be remember
ed that the furnace demand for cnal is like
ly to be more than usually large. All
branches Of the iron industry are said to be
actively employed in carrying forward the
large contracts in hand, and In many in
stances loundries, rolling mills and furnaces
are taxed to their utmost capacity in sup
plying the large demands that coal oi'e rators
have had made upon them, but as far as the
transactions of fresh business is concerned
trade generally presents quiet appearance.
This is the natural result Of circumsta noes,
and not by reason Of any falling OIL in the
demand for material, new or old, manufac-
tured or raw. a..
The total tonnage Of anthracite coal from
all the regions for the week ending Oct. 30,
as reported by the several carrying compsn-
ies,amounted to $50 ,636 tons, against 6GI =
$50 tons in the corresponding week last year,
an increase of 27.777 tons. The total amuunt
of anthracite mined for the year is 23,l74,-
957 tons,against 10 i 81 ,55l tons for the same
period last year, an increase Of 1924 ,4O6
tons.