Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-01-16
GENERAL ITEMS.
Eastern Tieus Of the Coat Trade.

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Nev Tork-The bltuminous trade
has made no large contracts as yet
for coming year, but are sanguine as
to the results. Many of the com.
panies are to increase their tonnage :;
the Baltimore and Ohio 100000 tons,
Norfolk and Western, 100000 tons,
and Erie 100000. Boston quotes
cargo lots $3.50 to 1915 delivered.
Soft Goals will be in greater competi-
ton with anthracite during 1886
than it was during 1SS5.-Mining
Record.
There is little to say locally on the
soft coal trade; it is quiet and awaits
the expiration of the so-called pool
term before anything new can be
suggested. In the 7 asst buyers are
holding off, as they do not care to
buy at present f. 0. b. price and
freight included. There are quota
tions of $3.5o@$3 IS at Boston. At
Chicago they seem to be suffering
from "a surtelt of soft coal OF all kinds,
with the concurrent depression in
prices. In Ohio the labor troubles
have been settled by the award of
Judge Thurman, giving the miners
sixty cents per ton in the Hooking
Nalley-their fall demand.
A call has been issued for a miners
convention. to advocate the project
to unite western Pennsylvania and
the States Of Ohio, Indiana and H.
LIMOS into one district under one Or
ganization. Such an organization is
thought advisable by a large number
of miners, and plans for its accom-
plishment will be discussed at length.
There are also efforts beng made in
other States to BRING about an under
standing so that rates Of wages may
have some relative bearing upon the
prices of the several GOALS where they
meet in competitive markets.
We see nothing at present that
tends to higher prices of soft coal,
but there Is an evident enlarge
ment of the territory in which this
coal is used, and of the uses to which
it can and may be put to advantage.
Coal Trade Journal.
There has been no particular
change in this trade. Contracts at
last years prices are declined by
some producers, while there is gen
eral feeling that higher prices will
rule this year The anthracite trade
will be watched with much interest.
If there should be no combination IN
that trade, low prices for bituminous
GOALS will of necessity rule. The
Pennsylvania railroad is unwilling to
name freight rates before March 1st.
The Reading company is awaiting
the election, which takes place on
Monday, before it will give the rates
on Beech Greek coal any consldera-
| ton.
The floods of the early part of the
week have cut off all the coal ship
ments to tidewater by the Pennsyl-
vania and Beech Creek roads. This
may result in making bitumiLous
coal temporarily scarce for immediate
delivery, and permit spot coal to sell
at better prices.
We have the best Of authority for
the statement that great stride has
been made toward harmonizlng inter
ests that were the most dcmoralizlng
to the bitumnous coal trade.
B0St0n.-Thcre is considerable &c
tivity in the bituminous coal trade of
this port; but although early con-
tracts are frequently placed by this
time, the activity thus far does
notgo farther than looking over the
field and preparing for the campaign.
The fact is, that every one is afraid
of the water freight question. Ship.
pers do not dare to name a delivered
price and run their risk of freights
this year, us they have heretofore. on
account Of the new bill of lading of
the Vessel Owners Association. Be-
tween the lowest Philadelphia rate
of 1885, 70: example, was 90 cents,
and much soft coal was brought
along at that figure; but the
minimum Philadelphia rate under
the vessel owners agreement is $1.05
and discharge, or an increase of 40
cents IL ton. No change f. o. b. prices
is looked for, and shippers are ready
10 make contracts Oh an I. o. b. basis
now, but buyers are not ready to as
sumo the freight risk, and will not
do so if they can help it. They are
willing to renew contracts at last
years delivered prices. on the other
hand, but shippers dare not as yet.