The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-03-26

Philadelphia, Ledger, 2lst The COVER
nors of the anthracite coal trade have agreed
to the stoppoge OF coal mining the last three
days this week, that is to say, stop work on
March oath, 25th and 26th, and the last
three days of next week, that is say, on
March Slst and April 1st and I'd. To fully
carry out the spirit of the agreement it is
essential that the mining, hosting prepara
ton and loading of coal during those days
be entirely discontinued. II is understood
that the trade is not to be changed in the
future from that of the past, as some might
infer from the above notification Of working
half time. The suspension Of work on three
days of each week, while it is unitedly en-
tered upon by all the companies, is not con-
templated for any considerable length Of
time; nor do oil the parties agree half week
suspensions are best in the matter of adjust
ing any temporary difference that may arise
az TO the current working. The principal
trouble Just now arises from the fact of a
slight slackening Of orders for certain classes
and sizes of coal, and at some points of an
increase of stock. The coal producers aver
that they put coal into the market as cheap
ly as possible, having reference TO living
profits, while the facilities for transportation
and the supply of cars are so scarce, as at
present. If the consumers of coal are salts
fed that the charges of producers are unduly
high, they, to some extent, have the redress
of their grievances in their own hands.
give it stability is to send forward their
orders and wait no longer for the spring cir
cuar prices 1t is not likely that such cir
cuar will make its appearance in advance
of supply of cars and locomotives. As soon
as they are abundantly at hand buyers OF
coal will not longer withhold their orders,
not so much, perhaps, in the hope of lower
circular prices as in hope of lower freights
and toll charges. The coal trade during the
past week has been. very dull, but the prices
of coal have not varied much, higher or
lower. While there has been some little stir
in the trade the past week or two the out
look is still most encouraging The product
of coal and the demand and consumption Of
it was rarely larger, if ever better. The un-
settled state of the affairs of the Reading
Railroad Company, although nearly all the
time before the courts and the public, make
comparatively little progress. No law point
is settled, and the only event of moment
during the past week is the election for di-
rectors of the Philadelphia ana Reading
Railroad Company, held under an order oI
court, which resulted as follows: For presi-
dent, Frank s. Bond for managers, George
f. Tyler, Samuel R. Shipey, John S. New
bold Edward II. Steel Charles Parrish, John
Lowber Welsh; for treasurer, Samuel Brad
ford; for secretary, Edgar l.. Kingsley. The
Miners journal of last Saturday says " the
trad, of the prev ious week has been very
dull The coal sent to market was largely
in excess of that OF any week since the be-
ginning of the year. The quantity on hand
was already in excess of the needs of the
market, and the effect of the large shipments
was only to add to the depression which hai
characterized the trade for several weeks. A!
we have before stated, buyers are in ne
hurry to lay in the spring supplies, and are
awaiting the announcement Of spring prce
and rates of transportation before deciding
what to do. In the meantime there is littl,
movement in coal. Efforts have been mad,
TO force sales, and with the usual result o
such action, where any has been disposed o
it was at a sacrifice of prices. To relieve
the market a suspension has been deter
mined upon of three days for each of th'
two next weeks, and ii has been decided t.
make no change IN the present prices OF coal
The spring rates of transportation will pro
bably be announced early next week, if no
sooner, and, the programme thus mad
known, there will be no rtherimpedimen
to the opening of the spring trade.