The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-04-09

The Coal Trade.
The anthracite coal trade for the pas
week has been unusually dull in all depart
ments of the trade. The production of Goa
at the mines, the transportation Of coal from
the mines to the shipping points, or to The
markets for consumption, shows unusua
dullness, as lower prices. There seems to b'
a purpose ON the part of the coal trade not L
over-stock The market by unduly loading
the new year with last years produce ofcJal
10 this end w. II. Johns, John Il. Graefi
John Mines and II. c. Thomas have agreed
to the stoppage of coal mining the last three
days of this week, that is to say, to stop worl
on April 7th, Sth and 9th instants. To fully
carry out the spirit of the agreement it i:
essential that the mining, hosting, prepara-
ton and loading of coal during those days
be entirely discontinued. AS evidence how
much production has been reduced this year
on that Of last year in corresponding time the
figures show that, on the LIST of March, $780,
the stock OF coal on hand and aaoat was
$4,000 tonsj on the LIST Of March, 1881, the
amount on hand was but 800, 900 tons, de-
crease of 4l2,OOO tons. This shows very
limited supply Of stock now on hand. The
orders for coal are quite limited, and it is
not improbable that a further suspension of
production may be continued for a month
or two yet. The same favorable feature Of
the trade that has characterized it Tor the
past six months, namely, united action on
the part of the several large companies, still
prevails, and probably will throughout the
year. 1t was mistake no doubt to suspend
coal production, and at the same time, issue
circulars of advanced prices. The stock OF
coal now on hand as compared with the lst
Of March last year is 4l2, 300 literally
no reduction at all. Prices wore fully main.
talned last year on an increased supply Of
coal. There is no reason to fear that the
trade will weaken hence to the end of the
year, or that prices will be lower. The trade,
as will be seen, opens with over 4 II 900 tons
less on the market than there was on the
opening of trade last year. Into the fact of
less coal to sell this year there is a large
short supply all over the country, and
especially at the West. The retail prices
OF coal, owing to the reduction OF prices by
the coal combination and the low rates Of
freight, have been reduced so cents ton to
maintain the present circular prices. They
will meet this week to decide upon the pro-
gramme for April, but it is particularly
noticeable that some cutting of circular
prices is taking place. There is no great
confidence in the trade that these prices can
be sustained, even if production is curta:led,
aud supplies only for immediate wants are
being purchased. Thus the receipts at this
port last week were of all descriptions, q 1856
tons, against A., ,405 for the same week last
year, making the total receipts since Jan
uary lst, l,l69,2sl tons, against 29S, 1894 tons
last year. As freights are low, the small re-
ceipts are the more significant. The total
production of anthracite coal for the week
ending March 10th was 5l1 $50 tons, against
592, $50 tons the previous week, and $40, ,234
tons for the same week in 1880. The increase
in the production since January Ist is ,242.-
265 tons. The Western trade has fallen Off
Freights are low, being $l@ 10 from New
York, 81 so from Philadelphia, and 81 rs
from Baltimore. The average rates ofrreights
last year was low, or only 81 ton, but it
was exceptional, owing to the high rates
ruling for ice. Vessels would carry ice to
al'shiPping ports and bring back coal. Up
on the ice the profits was made. 1t is claim
ed by owners Of freighters that this year,
owing to this fact, that there will be no such
rates ruling for ice as year ago, coal freights
will average higher than last. The anxious
ly looked for decision in the Reading Rail-
road election case, before Judge Hare ,gener-
ally expected on Saturday last, was not
forth coming, and may not be reached be.
fore the end of the present week. President
Gowen, who is confined to his bed with
lame leg, is recovering as fast as could be
expected and will probably appear on the
street with crutches to-day. 1t is said at the
Company's Office that the postponed meet
ing that was to have been held at the Acad-
cmy Of Music will be held as early as notice
can be giyon of time and place alter Mr..
Gowen gets out.-Ledger, Monday.
The Cumberland County Temperance
Alliance has resolved upon a vigorous en-
iorcement of the license laws. A number of