Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-02-16
Eastern Vieaos of the Coal Trade.

In DluumlnOuS Goals Cnere Is 1ancleu
to be an improvement for the pro-
ducers IN the market, but neverthe-
less prices remain very low.-Min-
ing Record.
Bituminous coal is in fair demand
but prices are ruling low. The
meeting of last week Of bitumlnous
coal producers is not likely to effect
any beneficial results. There is too
much competition and too many soft
coal developments are being opened
to form combination of interest.
Prices will probably remain as last
year without any adequate compen-
sation for the outlay.
The trade in bituminous is grow
ing worse. The Clearfield men be-
come more and more discouraged as
time advances, and the Pennsyl-
vania railroad company makes no
concession in rates, while the Cum
berland men continue to under-cut in
prices and get their work in with
Clearfeld customers, although their
sales are light and the figures away
down. Very shortly (about the LIST
prox. probably the B. & 0. and
Pennsylvania will fix the rates and
the trade is already on the qui pire
about them. The Clearfield men
are not hopeful. 1t is doubtful
whether they will get such rates as
will enable them to do a living bust
ness during the year, which, added
to the fact that competition will be
more active and that new territory is
constantly opened up, makes their
song call is sad within our dwelling
Mining Herald.
The annual contest has begun, and
from present indications, threatens
to become much fiercer than before.
The Cumberland producers are
evidently determined not to be-
caught again, as they were last year,
and are securing the market with
exceptionally low offerse We know
that transactions have been made on
the basis of $2.85 at Baltimore, and
have heard rumors Of offers as low lis
$3.50 at that point. 1t hardly need
to be said that Clearfield operators
are meeting these figures, and it is
understood that in some minor con-
tracts, already closed, they have
come out victorious. Buyers are
taking advantage of this state of af-
fairs and holding off. They are al
lowing rivals to cut figures down.
The confidence displayed by the
shippers of both of the great regions
is an eloquent proof that they expect
to be helped through all right by
their respective railroad companies,
at whatever figure they close.
For years the experience of the
trade has been that the opening
figures were tbs lest in the year, and
hence the eagerness to secure the
largest possible share of the Business.
1t may we'll be questioned whether
history must in this case necessarily
| repeat itself: That there will be a
much increased demand through the
displacement OF anthrncite by btu
minous coal, particularly in the Eaat,
there can be no doubt whatever.
With one of the regions incapable of
increasing its output for the present,
because of the fact that the railroad
furnishing it an outlet is taxed to its
uttermost capacity, the increase must
be met chiefly by the mines of the
Cumberland district, 1t may be
we'll doubted therefore WHISTLER the
present scramble is wise.
There is a great deal of talk as to
the probable effect Of the Vanderbilt
road. A large amount of money has
been invested in coal lands along
that line, and whatever else may re-
suit, speculation will have free play,
but it is probable, according to the
opinion of one or two long heads in
the trade that purchasers will pay
taxes on these lands long time before
developing them. The coal terri
tory of Central Pennsylvania is so
far beyond the requirements Of the
present generation that parties who
think it is only necessary to mine
and ship coal, in order to find a mar
ket, will find themselves very much
mistaken. But fortunately, the coal
will not turn sour, If they do. The
Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt's road, and
CARROTS road, are all interested in
pushing short lines through the btu
minous coal fields of the middle and
western part of the State, and there
is no telling what the outcome will
be.-Engineering and Mining Jour-
nal.
Bituminous is quiet, and the only
point of interest is the revival of the
story that combination may be
made by and between the P. K. r.
and the b. g. 0. r. r. on freights, so
that higher mark for coal may be
fixed. Whether anything will come
of this remains to be seen, but in the
meantime there are contracts being
taken at prices that hardly offer the
hope that such result can To