Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-08

are developing the soft coal mines, to
very remarkable extent. 1t will be
seen from the figures given this week
what large proportion Of the coal
supply Of the country is bituminous.
Goal Trade Journa1.
There is absolutely no business do
ing in bituminous. The trade is at
a standstill. Large contracts made
% few weeks ago by the Cumberland
operators. (when the short-sighted
policy of the freight-fxers of the
Pennsylvania railroad made ii possible
for the Cumberland men to sell at
lower figures than their Clearlicld
brethren, and ruin the whole bust
ness), are now being filled. That
said, all is said; except that last We'd
nesday the rate of freights for bitumi-
nous were fixed by the magnates of
the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore
and Ohio roads, and fixed so that
neither the Cumberland nor the Clear
field operators can sell coal to advan-
tage. A prominent operator on Wal
nut street said Friday, "Ihere is
virtually no bituminous coal trade
to-day. SO much coal was sold at low
figures by the Cumberland people Il
few days ago that customers were
supplied for some time, and you may
bet your bottom dol lar customers are
not going to buy now from us Clear
field men what they don't need, and
pay high prices for the prodnct-not
much That's the situation in a
nut-shell.-Mining HefuM.
Rumors Of the closing of large con-
tracts are numerous, and low figures
are named, in spite Of the alleged
agreement between the Pennsylvania
and Baltimore and Ohio railroads.
The latter has at last, it seems. awak-
ened to the situation, and Cumber-
land companies have secured goodly
share of the business. AS they do
not stop now to solicit orders at very
low prices, it is reasonable to assume
that they feel secure in a good back
ing. There seems no doubt that con-
tracts have been made with consum-
ers in a very quiet way on the basis
of S2.25 at Baltimore, and it is stat
ed that 1926 here has been named by
Cumberland company to steam
ship line. The struggle for the
steamer business is now beginning.
We quote here S.. GO{0S3. 90 for Clear
field coal.
BosToN.-It is hard to predict the
future of steam sizes. The fact that
the Reading company lost the Pacific
Mills 20,000-ton contract is used by
the bituminous dealers for all it is
worth, and is likely to give decided
impetus to the growing tendency Of
several years in the East-not merely
of the past few months. as some sup
pose-to use bituminous coal. We
understand that the Reading Com
panv made no bid whatever on the
Pacific contract. The company which
did take it claims TO have done rather
better than the reported prices Of
earlier contracts would Indicate.
However this may be, there is a
firmer feeling in bituminous coal.
Dealers report Withdrawing low offers,
which were out in many directions
previous to the reported combina-
tons. A short time will show whether
this branch of the business is to be
carried on this year on war or business
principles. 1t is believed generally
that the lowest prices Of the season,
say about 81 delivered, have been
made. There is chance for Il fair ad-
vance ON this figure and still keep out
of reach OF anthracite competition
Engineering and Mining JO"rnal.