Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-29

made under the agreement between
the two carrying companies-in fact
if the rate of tolls is held, the operator
is getting about sixty cents ton for
his coal at the mines. The outside
Goals that are being offered also form
an important feature in this market,
and the state of affairs may be sum-
med up in the remark that things
are in o worse muddle than ever,
despite the statement so often made
that an agreement has been come to.
Coal should sell at 1895 here, and
yet there are well authenticated cases
of recent transactions at 1886. At
all points there is an active competi-
ton for business, and as the railroads
are 30 intimately connected with this
branch of the coal trade there can be
no solidity to it; they are each and
all SO anxious for trade and tonnage,
that prices of the commodity they
carry will depend on the ability to
compete i'll any territory that may be
open rather than on the value of the
coal.-Coal Trade Journal.
PHILADELPHIA.-The condition of
the anthracite coal battles all descrip-
ton, That is to say, it has arrived
at ebb-tide where nothing can be said
about it, except to repeat the old story
Of inactivity and bare stocks. The
competition of bituminous coal with
harder mineral shows its effect yet,
although very little of the softer stuff
is being placed now, owing to the
fixing of freight rates at figures
which prevent sales. The large con-
tracts of the Cumberland firms made
last month, however, filled the bill
and there are now few chances to get
in supply of anthracite where soft
coal was sold when the underwriting
was going on early in the year. TO
sum up the situation it would not be
out of place to say that the anthra-
cite coal trade is lethargic and wait
for u turn IN the tide.-Shenandoah
(Pa.) Mining Herald.
The Cleartield men are a good deal
disappointed at the delay in the open
ing of the new Clearfeld road. They
expect to mine and ship 100000
tons to tide thisy year. The Clearfield
coal operators expect to place large
contracts in New England, and have
negotiations in d fair way to close.
but [ cannot at present writing, give
the details. Anthracite men do not
attach as much importance to the
prospective soft coal competition as
is talked Of in some quarters, but the
use of bituminous coal is extending,
not only in New England, but in
Eastern Pennsylvania, and this will
continue as long as there is any ad
vantage in price. A great many new
mines have recently been opened, and
the small operators are rushing
things, believing that as much coal
can be sold as they can mine. The
Clearfield output has come up to CO.
600 tons week, and it is said that it
will soon come mp to between 10000
and $4,000 tons; but a great deal of
the business which the operators are
counting upon depends upon future
contingencies. There is no more
talk Of a combination among the
bituminous operators, bat the wish
is father to the thought, and all the
probabilities are against such an ar
rangement. The maintenance of
friendly relations between the Balti-
more and Ohio and the Pennsylvania
railroad is necessary to the prosperity
of the coal trade, but the former
shows desire to secure the traffic
at any cost. The Pennsylvania will
protect its patrons to the same extent.
Observation-Disclosures seem dis
inclined to come into the market al!
present, and we hear of no large Bit
luminous business this week. The
market continues unsettled, but
hardly with Il lower tendency. An
unusually large tonnage has been
placed for this period, but consider
able business is yet to be gathered
in, as it probably will be shortly
Nominal quotations on small lots
not calling for special contract are
H2.75aS2. 80, t. O. b. at Baltimore.
ard about $3.50 at Philadelphia