The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-06-14
ovER-PRoDUCTIoN OF COAL.
Combinations to Restrict the Amount of
Work done in the Colleries.

Regular Correspondent of The Press.
NEW YORK, June ll.-For two months or
more the leading companies engaged in the
anthracite coal trade have been Informally
talking of plan to remedy what is con
sidered serious fault in the methods now
used to restrict tonnage to the demand of
The market. 1t is we'll known that the
capacity OF the production of the anthracite
mines is far in advance of the wants of the
market, and for years the producers haye
barmoniously agreed to restrict the output
and maintain a regular price for coal. This
is done by what is called the coal combina-
ton, consisting OF representatives of the
Reading and its leased companies, the lie.
high Valley, the Delaware and Lackawan-
ma, the Delaware and Hudson, and the
Pennsylvania Coal Company.
These corporations fully cont rol the trade
as producers or carriers Of coal, or both.
Before the combination was formed ther e
was frequently ruinious rivalry between
these compan les; any one of which could
by abandoning the combination and setting
up its own prices. The reason why this is
possible is because the anthracite m ines are
capable of producing in nine months as
much coal as can be sold In one year. The
full time output is about 500 900 tons week.
ly, or Al 100000 tons annually. Last wear
the production, which was greatly swelled
by certain railroads in order to make a good
show of earnings, was between thirty one
ami thirty two millions. The trade is still
suffering from this large production.
The present method Of restricting tonnage
consists in making an arrangement at Ger
tam times IN the year when it appears
necessary to stop mining. During this
month, for instance, the mines have been
closed two weeks, and it Is expected that
next months restriction will be the same.
This, however, is doubtful. Trade may
spring up so that one weeks suspension only
will be needed, or three weeks idleness
may be necessary. Owing to this doubt
and uncertainty, great deal of trouble
arises.
To begin with, coal operators have to nav
their men much larger wages than other
industries. The unskilled laborers at the
mlne now get 81 45 per day, while iron ore
workers n9ar by get but 30 cents. The cost
OF running an anthracite mine when 1t
is idle is also very heavy. The pump
must be hept working just the same as i'll
the mine were producing to its fullest
capacity, the engines must be run and
cared tori the mules in the mines must be
ted, the office rents and clerk hire go on.
II is TO remedy this that a change in the |
method of restriction is proposed, and il ls |
the most important matter that has been |
before the coal trade since the struggle |
whieh resulted in the formation Of the |
present combination and ended with such |
good results TO the trade. The disease be- |
ing over production, it is Ger tain that there
can be but one remedy the closing of a |
number of mines, until the increasing con-
sumption of coal, which is great and rapid,
demands the TeOpening of them. Alsnost |
every company has a number of mines |
which, for one reason or another are un.
profitable. 1t is believed by slloting a GER
tain percentage Of the estimated tonnage |
for year to each company, coal could be |
produced much cheaper than by the present |
plan OF stopping work at odd times.
II a eompsDy's production were so much |
IL could shut up its Improbable mines and |
work full time at its profitable operations |
with greater profit tO the miners, ho would |
have steady work. at perhaps less wages, |
and 10 the owners Of the mines the result |
would be that a portion Of the population |
of the mining region, who now live from
hand 10 mouth on uncertain wages, would |
seek other employment, aud in few years
the trade would get down to a healthy
basis.
when this problem is successfully solved
the anthracite trade will hsYe made big
stop toward stability. Ever since the war
It has suffered from oyer. production. In
those days and at times since the tempta
tion 10 open a coal mine and make a fortune
in a year or two has been great aud the
evils which inllowed, must be renedied.
The trade is quite harmonious on the sub
jeet.