Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-22
Eastern Vie1Os Of the C0uI Trade.

'dholi lidCc Wllilll tut past tNo NtthS.
bituminous in the East having dis
placed anthracite to some extent.
Several large mill contracts for Cum
berland and Clearfeld coal are said
to have been made in Boston, the
former, it is said, getting the largest
share. The rates by the Baltimore
and Ohio have been put so low that
Cumberland coal is offered alongside
in Philadelphia at SO, which enables
it to come into active competition
with anthracite in the East. This is
joyful news for the bitnnnnous trade
which of late has been in such
sorely depressed condition. 1t is aIso
said that the New York Central has
closed q contract with a Cumberland
firm for 100000 tons.-Shenandoah
Mining Herald.
NEW YoRK.--The bituminous trade
has been unsettled, and occasional low
price cargoes are heard of, but these
should now belong to the past, for an
official announcement has been made
that tolls have been agreed upon, and
no orders can be considered except
under these new tolls, us witness the
following from the Baltimore and
Ohio company:
BALTIMORE March Is, 1884.
Gentlemen-Taking effect Saturday,
March 10Th, rates on coal from mines
in the Georges Creek region will be as
follows:
To city stations, viz: Mt.
Clare, Camden and Lo-
Gust Point. ............ 500 per gross ton.
To Locust Point (slipping
WuarFeS) l.IO
F. HARRIoTT, G. F. A.
Under this basis coal should sell at
1915 ut Baltimore, and, say 1896 at
New York. Pennsylvania rate being
the same, Clearfeld should sell at
$2.75 at Philadelphia, and 1896 at
New York, and we hope to hear no
more of the ridiculous figures that
have been gossiped about within the
past two or three weeks. There seems
to be very great elasticity to the
ideas of some persons on the question
of the amount Of soft coal that has
replaced anthracite. We meet great
many persons in the former line of
business who do not claim to have
sold any coal. TO Philadelphia there
was a large business done in Cumber-
| land and gas Goals from Baltimore,
but the action of the Chesapeake and
Delaware canal, in advancing tolls,
will take off all the cream. The low
prices at which coal from the Roch-
ester and Pittsburg mines is offered in
New York invites some trade to this
new coal.-Coal Trade J0UrNol.
1t appears now that the Baltimore
and Ohio has secured a sufficiently
large share of the business of the
year to relieve it of anxiety, and that
it is chiefly the Cleariield producers
who will compete for the remaining
business. There is less pressure, but
it is not likely that there will be any
material advance in prices for the
present.
1t is stated that Cumberland ship
pers have secured considerable bust.
ness at Delaware River points. To
them, the rumor will be diSquieting
that the Pennsylvania railroad has
secured control of the Chesapeake
and Delaware canal, which would
thus give it control Of the canal svs-
tenn between this city and Baltimore,
and practically secure to Cleartied
operators the bulk Of the steamer
trade.
BosToN.-l'here has been less ac-
tivity in bituminous coal for week
past. Dealers claim that the tone of
the market is improving, and there
does seem to be rather better feel
ing, as though the railroads would
keep up to agreement. This may be
attributable, however, to the absence
of large and close contracts in the
market. Buyers are skeptical, and
will sound the market thorough
ly before paying any better figures
than were asked fortnight ago.
Quoted prices are of little value. For
any stable lot, say five thousand tons.
il special price would be given,-En-
cheering and Mining Jo,unal.
PHILADELPHIA.-The bituminous
operators are confident that they will
sell IL largely increased amount this
year. The Clearleld operators have
not yet been informed what rates are
to be, but it is understood that rates
will be about % cents lower than last
year. One-quarter million tons of
Cumberland coal have been contract
ed for for delivery in this market.
Sales along the Atlantic coast will
foot up 100000 tons. it is estimated.
The announcement Of rates is looked
for every day; as soon us they are
announced, some very large contracts
for, both hard and soft coal will be
placed at once. Western orders will
be large us the stocks will be low in
the hands of most dealers. Line
trade in this city is Improving in ac-
tivity, but only for immediate needs.
Whatever troubles comes from the
competition of bituminous coal in
Eastern markets for manufacturing
requirements, will be compensated
for by the breaking up of large sizes.
An improved manufacturing demand