Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-15
Eastern TietUs Of the Coal Trade.

Eastern Tie,Ds Of the Coat Trade.
New YoRK.-The bituminous
trade appears to have settled down to
more even condition than was noted
in the past two editions, and the
amount of trade that is now being
done is small, for all the larger con-
tracts have been placed. Those who
have not put in orders at the old
price are waiting to see if there be a
strict adherence to the new tolls, and
consequent higher prices asked.
There is firmer feeling in this re-
gard, and it is now believed that the
companies carrying coal to the sea-
board have u thoroughly understood
basis Of operations, and that hence
forth any orders that are taken must
pay the new rate of tolls. The activ-
ity Of the B. & o. operators was a
novel feature in the trade this year
and the ability to make as low prices
as any other district, soon brought
the question to a focus. We think
that the final result of this competi-
ton must be better result to the
operators of all the districts Compel
ing for seaboard trade, and the worst
has apparently been passed. There
will be an increased consumption of
bituminous coal, beyond a doubt, and
it would seem to have been hardly
necessary to make such abnormally
low prices to secure this trade. In
making known the qualities of btu
minous for steam, even at reduced
price this year, the operators expect
to be able to keep the trade, even at
IL higher price in the future. This
is the point at which the operators
and jobbers aimed in this contest so
far as can be seen.-Coal Trade Jour-
nal.
This year has been an exceptional
one in some respects, While the
Clearfieid men were handicapped by
high rates Of freight the Cumberland
people were given, as it were, Il carte
blanche to sell all the coal they could
and were able to supply the market
at prices which the Clearfeld men
could not touch. Hence the placing
of large contracts by the Cumberland
men while the Clearfield men vainly
waited for the freight fixer of the
Pennsylvania Railroad to arrange
combination which would be benefi-
cial to them. The combination in
rates was made but it left the Clear
field men as high and dry as any fish
out of water We ever heard of. This
is briefly the situation; customers
were supplied by the Cumberland men
even the customers of the Clearfeld
trade-while the latter were waiting
for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany to give them an opportunity to
sell at figures that would compete
with their opponents. The conse-
quence is the Cleartield men have
lost the trade they gained by last
years strike in the Cumberland region
and many of the customers they once
controlled before and since. Even if
the freight tixers were to revise the
rates fixed on the goth ult. so as to give
the Clearfield people an advantage
over their competitors attempts of the
former to sell coal now would be met
with the reply "we have purchased
for the year from the Cumberland
men at lower prices than you are now
asking" The Cumberland people
can offer coal at Baltimore at from
$2.45 to $3.50 and us low as 1925 has
been named, whereas the lowest price
the Clearfeld people can accept at
Philadelphia is $500, and $3.50
@3.60 in New York. In the latter
city Cumberland coal was offered
week ago to a steamship line as low
as Mining Herald.
The fight evidently continues,
though an effort is making to create
the impression that better prices are
made for contracts. 1t is stated that
the New York Central has closed
contract for fully 100000 tons with
d Cumberland and an Elk Garden
firm. A number of guesses are made
as to the price, the figures varying
between $3.40@$3.65. New York
business is small, and 1t is contested
in manner never witnessed before.
PHILADELPHIA.-The fact of the
Pennsylvania railroad company hav-
ing reduced freights from net to gross
at Greenwich is not of any practical
benefit to the Pennsylvania shippers
of bituminous coal, who are obliged to
compete with Cumberland coal offer
ed and sold alongside at Philadelphia
for So. The anthracite people say
that the bituminous operators are
taking the trade, while the latter say
they are doing nothing. Some soft
coal miners have secured Il few large
contracts. 1t is asserted that the
Cumberland operators are carrying
away the best of the trade, notwith-
standing the tact that the rates of the
season have as yet not been publicly
announced. The charge of favorit- ,
ism is repeated, and is the occasion of
a uon1 ,}anI of oomnl,ip+ on,o,,r. +Lo.o |,