The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-09-10
The Coal Trade.

| - uo hhtnTacsVe coal tfauet says tne InllA-
deiphia Ledger, of Monday, continues much
the same as for the past two or three weeks.
The trade is good-not only good in the pre-
sent but good in the outlook The points in
the trade which presented some sources Of
difference between the several parties EN-.
gagged in the production of coal, that is, as
to whether the supply OF coal shall be short
ened each month, is likely to be settled ly
More absolute authority than that of man
the drouth that has prevailed throughout
most ofthe coal regions is likely TO enforce
a lessened production by lack ofwater with
Which to continue mining. Quits a number
OF mines from this cause have already
stopped mining, and almost daily other
mines are added to the number already in
disuse. In this state of the market the or
ders for coal continue full, and nowhere is
there any clamoring for lower prices A
that is asked for coal is paid the only thing
asked that is not readily complied with is
prompt delivery of the tequred sizes of
coal, vessels and prepared coal being scarce
There does not seem to bc any present nc
cessity for any voluntary shortening Of the
supply Of coal to maintain pri5es. It is now
apparent that there will be reudv market
for about all the anthracite coal that can be
mined and put into the market That there
will be further advance in the prices of
coal before the end of the year, especially Of
certain sizes, there is hardly doubt at
least all the contingencies are in That direc.
tion. The Miners journal thus explains the
dependence of coal mining on a generous
supply of pure water; "'fhe ANNOYANCE Of
accunulatIng coal was likely to present
serious problem, when the drouth, which
effects the entire belt Of territory in which
lie the Middle States, brought about its solu.
tion. Mining operations require an abun-
dance of pure water, and the supply in the
coal regions became so reduced that water
had TO be hauled long distance to feed the
boilers. At some Of the colieries and where
this could not be conveniently done, opera
tons had to cease. This enforced suspen-
sion has relieved the wharves at tidewater
points, and the quantity is diminished to an
easy handling bulk. What has proved a
regulator, however, may become very Sc.
rious mDedment. Unless the coal region
is visited by plenteous rains within the next
ten days an enforced snspshsion will be |
general, and the coal supply cease, or, at all |
events, be greatly reduced. A large number
OF collieries are just now barely able to con.
tinue, pnd the supply from each may be cut
off at any time" This years production of
anthracite coal being S,SI2,590 tens more
than to corresponding time last year, and |
no undue amount of this excess of product
being on hand unsold, there is no proba-
bility Of any considerable accumulation |
hence to the end of the year. The market
promises all the time to be equal to the cur
rent supply of coal. There is no probability |
of the market becoming soggy or of its run
ming into the new year at lower prices. Coal
operators during the past two or three years
have learned more of their own business
than they have learned in the previous four
or five years. They know that producing
coal at less than cost is losing business as
well as a thankless one. That policy is
abandoned for the future, to the great profit |
ofall engaged in it. In addition to this now
better established policy, the anthracite
coal trade has behind it the great market of
the West, which is almost illimitable in its
demand and is steadily nearer to our sup
lying fields. The extent of our Western
coal markets is scarcely within the range of
estimates that would be deemed credible
The Western market presents new field,
and, when it's consumption is added tn the
gradual increase in all the country, il swells
the aggregate to such immense proportions
as must give to the coal interests Of this
country boGmd that will sustain it for at
least another decade. On Friday and Satur-
day there was some local rains at the South
west, but in all the eastern part of the coun-
try the drouth is unbroken. The Receivers
Of the Philadelphia and Reading companies
have fixed the following coal figures for
September, harbor price, delivered free on
board at Port Richmond Hard White ASH
Lump and steamboat, S4 55 stove, 81 40
broken and egg, 81 80; chestnut, 81 is; pea
50. Free burning white ash-Stove, 81 40;
broken and egg, $4 80; chestnut, S4 O5; pea,
So. Schuylkll red ash-Egg and stove "a 40;
chestnut 81 05. Shamokn-Stove, 81 40;
egg, 81 80; chestnut, S4 Is. Lorbcrry-
Stove, S4 80; egg, "a 40; chestnut, 81 Is.
Dykens Valley (Brookside) Egg and Stove
81 so; chestnut, 81 As. The city and line
prices are as follows. Lump and steam
boat, So; broken, so 65@2 95; egg, So 75@
8 10, stove, 50 s5@3 10; chestnut No. l,
So 6O@2 rs; chestnut, No. 2 81 so: pea
No. l, 81 65@l IS
The total tonnage Of anthracite coal from
all the regions for the week ending August
27, as reported by the several carrying com.
psnies, amounted to 624,928 tons, against
4ls,2l6 tons in the corresponding week last
year; an increase Of 2O6,95l tons. The total
amount Of anthraeite mined for the year is
l7,5ll,765 tons, against 13,e09 ,IG6 tons for
the same period last year, an increase offs;
sl2,599 tons.