The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-02-19
The Coal Trade.

AAC N'OeAA
The very severe cold during the protracted
winter weather since the incoming Of the
new year has so depleted stocks of coal ON
hand that very generally all around have
the orders on the sources of supply been
pushed TO their utmost in the attempt to
meet the demand. But their utmost at this
season of the year ia not equal to half million
tons week and this is inadequate to meet
all demands. As has heretofore been shown,
there are many distractions to mining and
Transporting anthracite coal during the
winter season, and usually the demand is
light at this season, so that the two disabili-
ties have heretofore fitted very we'll. But
this year opened with light stock in hands
of dealers, and the unusual demand has
greatly embarrassed many of this class in
the trade. The scarcity was such that, in
New York, last week prices went up to seven
figure. Mlder weather, which has but re-
Gently set in, will lessen the difficulties OF
transportion, and this will give all the coal
needed for immediate use. Full time work.
ing at the mines has served to keep the city
yards and the line trade pretty well supplied,
at least has been sufficient to shut Of the
embarrassment that was feared from pre-
vious threatened short supply of coal. The
prices realized have been remunerative, and
no reports of failures have come to our
knowledge. Old dealers in the coal trade
report the outlook at this season of the year
as much better than at the same time Of the
year for some years past. Bitumi1ous coal
is reported in very active demand, but light
supply. The supply of cars and motive
power on the Pennsylvania Railroad is in
creasing the shipments of Cleorfield coal.
The shipments of Cumberland coal are
mostly confined to Baltimore, the only open
port, which, however, has labored under the
disadvantage Of high freights Prices of coal
in New York city range between S. and S5.25
along side. 1t is rumored that several large
contracts have already been closed, and in
quiries are still made by q number OF other
quite large consumers. The prospects for
the 6ituminous trade for 1881 are reported
better than they have been for years, and
the product will probably reach very high
figure. The present weather, it is thought,
will materially change the condition of
affairs in the coal trade. 1t reduces the con
sumption of domestic sizes of coal, and in
creases the ability to move all kinds. The
railroad tracks are now practically clear
again, but the motive power has been very
much strained, and requires considerable re
pairs, SO that railroad companies will not,
for a short time at least, be able 10 move
nearly as much coal as might be expected.
This and the New York harbor still contains
enough floating ice 10 give considerable
trouble to boats, but is in a much more salts
factory condition than it has been for a long
time past The demand for coal is quite
active, and is likely to be for some time to
come. It is stated on good authority that
the companies are all inclined to harmony,
and that they will not permit the market to
be oyerstocked and serious decline in prices
to take place.--Ledge", l4th.