Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-01-24

J. n. Robinson and family, of Paw
Paw, W. Va, were in town this week.
Eastern Tie,rs ofthe Coat Trade.
Nsr York.-Or the bituminous
market we can only say that the out
put is sure TO bs larger than ever
and at the expense probably of the
anthracite trade.-Mining Record.
There are rumors ahoat that the
New Haven Railroad contract, from
10000 TO 10000 tons. has been taken
at low figures by an Elk Garden firm.
There has been considerable inquiry
on the part of consumers for figures
on contracts, in anticipation of the
completion of the pool arrangements
between the Pennsylvania and Balti-
more & OHIO railroads, which il is
said, the Nanderbilt- Reading road
may possibly join. 1t is rumored
that the arrangement, on the basis
of percentages already mentioned, is
to be by msnthly settlements, and is
to extend only to tide-Watsr coal. 1t
is said that one feature Of ii is to he
that the lowest prices for tide-water
Goals are to be $2.70 at Baltimore,
$3.50 at Philadelphia, 1926 at New
York, and $3.50 at Boston and Sound
points, practically an assumption on
the part of the railroad companies of
the right 10 regulate the lowest price
of coal at tide-watsr points. 1t is, of
course, too early to form any opinion
concerning the effect of this agree
ment, if it is closed and is adhered
to. Itshould be pointed out, however,
that it leaves out Of the reckoning the
Pocahontag coal Of the Norfolk 4
Western Company, which may become
great factor, notably in the east; the
Chesapeake & Ohio coal; possibly the
Reading-Vanderbilt GOALS ; and the
Rochester & Pittsburg csrgoes that
may drift into this market in the
summer over the Erie canal and the
Hudson river, as they did last year.
1t would seem to ignore, too the I'M
doubtedly lower prices Of steam sizes
of anthracite coal.
Philodclphia-The bituminous
coal operators are dissatisfied with
the present aspect of affairs, especially
with regard to the uncertainty sur
rounding freight rates, and the prob
ability Of a renewal of sharp compe-
tition from Maryland and Virginia
Goals. This is the time when the
Pennsylvania and the Baltimore &
Ohio were to close, with reference to
traffic; but the combination has no
confidence in any arrangements that
may be made. Last year, when the
companies met, and made their vows
to each other with all the fervor of
plishted lovers, good many in the
coal trade did for while believe they
would amount to something; but
Romeo and Juliet forgot, and the
first thing the Philadelphia coal men
know was, their river business was
swept awsy from them by the Cum
berland operators. They think the
same thing will occur again. There
is hidden hostility between the COM
panies, and it will break out on the
slightest provocation. No large con-
tracts are made at present. 1t is
impossible to obtain rates. The
Pennsylvania operators feel little
nervous lest the Baltimore and Ohio
people may make secret rates that
will let the Maryland and Virginia
operators into Eastern markets. The
sharpest competition in the coal
trade is looked for this season. Wages
will not be reduced in the Clearlield
region, the operators feeling that
wages are low enough, and re-
duction weuld not benefit tho trade.
Boston-'The bituminous trade is
very quiet. Some of the dealers are
taking the view that they would as
soon wait month before making con-
tracts as not, since prices will be no
lower then, and may be higher. See
ing that no one is disposed to buy
now, this is philosophical way Of
looking at the matter. 1t Is hardly
probable that there will be any adj
vance, and any decline would mean \
loss to producers. There may be
some ground for a demand for liqui-
dation in anthracite coal but btu
mlnous has already gone down to
the bottom along with most othsr
commodities. Coal that Was selling
at $3.50 delivered to-day brought
- III 1888. Only Il very sewers co.n-
petition will cause further reduc-
ton in bitunlinous coal, and this IL
not considered very probable. We
quote cargo lots at $1,000 1870 de-
h'ered. Engineering and Mining
J0uru0l.