Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-03-06
GENERAL ITEMS.


NeaU Tork.-The bituminous coal
pool appears to give satisfaction.
The trouble, however, as heretofore,
we apprehend, will be to enforce com
pliance with the traffic arrangement,
already made, or to suppress under,
work and underwriting Indeed, it
is alleged that the choicest plums
have been plucked. The Cumberland
people are by no means idle, and have
not, apparently, lost more than two
or three heavy contracts, while gain
ing in other directions. There are
rumors of Il strike in the Cleariirld
region for 10 cents more.-Mining
RecOrd.
Soft coal here is reported quiet,
with the quotations at $50 to So %
per ton, but sales down to 81 IS are
reported. The men in several OF
the districts sending coal to tide
have demanded an increase in wages
to date from Monday next. but the
operators Of the Georges Greek and
the CIearfield di,trcts have decided
that there is nothing III the present
or prospective condition of trade to
warrant any advance in the price Of
coal, and us II Necessary sequence, of
wages. The stuff that has been
widely circulated of advances Of
thirty cents per ton, and therefore of
ten cents per ton in wages in these
several districts, is made out of whole
cloth and has no existence.-Coal
Trade J0urRUl.
The market seems to be waiting
one. and but little change is expected
until after March LIST, and even then
threatening labor troubles may still
further postpone the true conditions
of he market we are to have for this
year. We think the fear of labor
troubles has caused many shippers to
act conservatively, for the moment
at least, as there is certainly less in
cilnation to slaughter coal than there
WAS. Beech Creek Goals seen to be
the only ones that are offered very
low. Theva are, in cases, offered abou!
as low lis last year.
Il" circular sent to the presidents
of the coal companies operating mines
in the Pennsylvania, Maryland. West
Virginia and Virginia districts by
the National Federation of Miners
and vine l.aborers of District No. 3
has been II source of much uneaslness.
Although the committee gets into
rather deep water in looking for
causes for AN advance in wages, it is
evident, nevertheless, that it means
business. and this is the construction
the operators place upon it, Labor
has been so successful of late, and
especially in the large strike IN the
coke districts, just settled, hat it has
become very aggressive and quite
confident. 1t is difficult to say what
will be the outcome of this latest
movement. The trade can i'll afford
to make an advance ut present; yet,
if it must come. it could not be ut Il
more opportune time III the year.
Very few contracts have been closed,
and the advance, if made, would af-
feet all the operators alike.
The advice to the operators on
combining. contained in the circular
is we'll worthy their consideration :;
hur the "cXample" hat we consider
more worthy of their attention is he
firm and honest compliance with
their agreements with each other,
shown by the miners. Seven an
thracitc, and four or five hituminous
managers are unable to comply wi h
their agreements. while thousands of
less intelligent miners stand us firmly
us . rock.
E0St0H-There is more activity in
soft coal, and Il very fair amount Of
tonnage has been placed in Hodrrato-
sized contracts. Every one is dumb
Oh the question Of prices. but it is
evident that last years delivered
prices are duplicated. if not lowered.
1hc POO! continues lightly regarded
as affecting this business air, ady
placed. Dealers are talking poet
strongly, hoNry"r. They ave insist
Inc tIiaI the f. q. b rates of s. % at
Baltimore and @235 at Philadelphia.
NrNrnr' New and or.oIk are bnd-
my. 1t IS vet t" appear that the
peel is worthy Of consideration, how
ever. SO much coal having already
b".n sold ON a lower basis II i,
SAT-! That rs much soft coal will lie
moved all rail rs p"sSIbic.--inginccr
my aHd Mining JGNrHr2.
\ CuLORLD democrat Of Albany.