The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-05-07
,rlas Coal Trade.

During the last week, says Mondays
Ledger un agreement has been arrived at
among all the anthracite coal companies re-
gulating the production for the entire month
Of May, at the end Of which IL is supposed
the restriction of production will be suffi-
cient to enable full work to 60 on continu-
dusly thereafter for some considerable length
of time. We understand there is some
blockade Of coal at New York, though the
wharves at Port Richmond are very bare
and the Philadelphia and Reading Coal
and Iron Company has practically no stock
Of two or three sizes of coal. The New
York companies requested the Schuyl-
Kill region TO agree TO a suspension Of three
days in each week for the entire month Of
May, but Mr.. Gowcn on Thursday, in an
swer to their application, requested that full
work might be allowed 10 60 on for the next
week, agreeing that If that was consented to
the receivers of his company would unite in
suspension for three days out Of each of
the remaining weeks of the month Of May,
aud late on Friday afternoon this arrange
lnent was agreed to by the New York COM
panes. 1t is therefore understood that for
the present week full work will be had,
and thereafter only half time until the first
day of June. We understand that there is
a strong probability of an advance of prices
on the first day of June, and that arrange
ments are being made by which the allow
ance Of Is cents commission OFF circular
prices for the present month shall be made
only to purchasers who purchase quantities
Of from five to ten thousand TONS The out
look of the anthracite coal trade from this
point To the end of the year is good. The
Pottsville Miners journal of the 29th ulti-
mo saysi THE heavy buyers are slow In
their movements, purchasing only up to the
line of their actual necessities, waiting and
hoping for a break in prices, as is their uni
form custom early in the season, especially
when prices are stiff. 1t is this action
which, while it does not change the volume
Of the trade, makes it very irregular, by
throwing much the heavier portion in the
winter when the collieries ought to have q
rest. There is not much at present upon
which to build hope that prices will be
any more favorable a month or three
months hence than at present. indeed, the
indications all point to higher prices. They
are now only fairly remuneratiye, and have
been brought up to that point solely by last
seasons judicious policy of concert of action.
1t is not likely that with the bitter expert
ence of 1879, resulting from want of co-ope-
ration, there will be disposition to change
the programme this year. Those who are
holding off for break will therefore, be
likely to discover their error when they
have to add Is cents ton TO the present
market price," The following is the print
ed circular of April 29th, 1881, directed to
the coal operators Of schuylkill county
The anthracite coal interests have agreed
to work full time next week, and to the
stoppage of coal mining the last three days
, Of each of the following weeks in May, that
is to say, stop work on May 18th, 18th, 14th
10th, goth, 2lst, 26th, 9th and 2Sth. To
fully carry out the spirit Of the agreement
it is essential that the mining, hosting
preparation and loading of coal during
those days be entirely discontinued, and il
is earnestly hoped that the above agreement
t for suspension will be carried out by every
} one in perfect good faith. Respectfully
WIN. II. Johns, John E. Graeff, John Mil
mes, r. G. Thomas, Committee Schuylki'
Coal Exchange"
The total tonnage of anthracite coal from
all the regions Tor the week ending Apri
e 29, as reported by the several carrying com
. panies, amounted To 42l,9l3 tons, agains
= 394 ,O29 tons in the corresponding week las
; year, an increase Of 27,sS4 tons. The tota
amount Of anthracite mined for the year i
a 7,3Os,3O7 tons, against 6,467,S55 tons 70
+ the same period last year, an increase o
SAT, 1852 tons.