The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-11-11
sTAUNToN. VIRGINIA. NOVEMBER II, 1886
Iron end Coal.


ties Of the State for the purpose of estap
fishing plants ior the manufacture of
coke. The popularity of this fuel is grow
ing. and the demand is greater than the
supply. The Baltimore and Ohio and the
Pennsylvania Railroads and the Wander
Lilt interests are ali striving to get their
share of tonnage in this fuel and are ex-
teldng their systems tevery opportunity
to secure it. The latest movement in this
direction is that of the Pittsbufg, Nc
Keesport and Youghiogheny Railroad
through the Scotda]e, Mount Pleasant and
Pleasant and Unity sections of the coke
regions, TO 1000 acres of coke and coal
land owned by DIR. Hosttetter, of Pitts
burg At this point it will also meet the
western terminus of the proposed South
Pennsy wanna Railroad.
The iron producers of Pennsylvania con-
tinue thpi If active preparati ons to meet an
increased demand for their products as
the season advances. From all sections
Of the State there are tidings of old prop
critics being put i'll better condition, and
movements to start up new ones. In many
sections where advantages exist for the
manufacture OF iron more cheaply. than
others an advance in wages varying from
five to ten per cent. has been made, and
while there is 10 az itation on the subject
of an increase in wages by the working
men. it is thought that it will be yolun-
tarily made as the price Of iron advances.
The railroad companies are making
monty. but do NOS seem inclined to pay out
any more Of it in dividends than they can
possibly help. The Pennsylvania is ex-
pending vast sums in improvements and
extensions, which it's officers state are alb
solutely necessary to secure new business,
which will ultimately result in the pro-
curement of such an amount of business
as will enable the company to pay larger
dividends. President Roberts announces
it as his policy to expend a certain sum
upon the roadway, to get it in a condition
to do business with the greatest economy,
to enable him to carry freight at lower
rates and at a profit. and when this has
been done, he states that the stockholders
may have the benefit of the increased
earnings, in the fora Of increased divi-
dends.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad Company
is quietly making new purchases and car
rying on Improvements with a view to eX-
tending its scope of business in the city
of Buffalo and other points. 1t has made
large expenditures of money for increasing
it's facilities to handle business at that
point, and at Chicago and Duluth. Its
coal bus ness has grown to such proper
lions that it has been compelled to pur-
chase at both places more yard and dock
facilities. Its latest purchase. that Of the
partially abandoned Pennsylvania, Stating
ton and New England Railroad, is s very
important one. 1t will take the Lehigh
Valley through prosperous slate sections
of Pennsylvania into New Jersey, and on
to Poughkeepsie, N. T., where q bridge is
to be built across the Hudson river to
AS the Lehigh Valley is new a large oper-
etor in the soft coal of this state, as we'll
as the anthracite region, it will, by this
new route, obtain q direct cor mnnication
with New England for both classes OF its
fuel product. and find a more extended
market for them in Northern New Y ork.
The popularity of anthracite coal in the
West has so greatly increased that it is
found difficult to meet the demand. The
scarcity of cars has prevented it's trans
portation with as great expedition as was
desired, and now the Reading, Pennsylya-
MIA and Lehigh Valley, are seriously con-
sidering the matter of reversing the usual
method OF handling this trade. which is to
send all empty cars to western points
loaded with anthracite. The new method
will be to send out loaded trains of anthra-
cite, and secure return freights for them
In other merchandise. Within the past
few moths, however. the cars have been so
occupied by other freights in both direc-
lions, that anthracite has had to await it's
chances.
The progress in business methods has
even reached the movement of freight
trains, to secure more rapid transportation
for articles of merchandise. Merchants
contend that in the aggregate they are
affected in the course of a year thousands
of dollars in the delays in the despatch OF
goods, and the railroads have, therefore
been compelled to yield to their demands
and put Cd a quicker freight service. Oh
the Pennsylvania special freight trains
make twenty FIVE and thirty miles an hour
On the Erie. to meet the demand for
quicker transportation, all freight trails
are allowed to make twenty miles an hour
without special orders.
1t is now regarded as absolutely certain
that there will be- NO soft coal
| in 1887. Important PRODUCERS state that
| like anthracite, the business needs OF the
| country are such that a combination IL
| soft coal next year will be unnecessary
| The estimate now is, that the market VIII
take nearly 100000 tons more Of anthra
l cite this year than the combination limitet
| it to. .A-n instance of the same kind L
given III the soft coal trade. When a com
bination for the presnt year was proposed
the Morfoaa..a apd Western Railroad Compa
nv was offered 100000 tons as its portion
of the product of the pool for it's Pocahon
| tas coal. This it refused, and its contract
for the year will foot up 100000 tons
These mines began operations in June, 1883
and during that year shipped only lo5,O0
tons.
Pennsylvania capitalists interested Il
iron industries in Southwest Virginia AM
on the line Of the Norfolk and Wester
| Railroad, report most promising cond
ton of affairs. The Grocer Works 9
Roanoke will double the capacity OF ii
furnace, which is now making lie tens pc
day. Tie greatest mbalrassment e.
perienced il that secti N has been frol
the scarcity OF coke, and the Pennsylyanl
coke Is TOO high TO admit OF It's use. Th
will be owe rcoine, hoWevar,in shorttln
as a lalge amount Of capital has alreao
been ful nisied TO erect at once 1909 COZ
ovens in he Pocahontas region OF Virgins
AS soon us this has Teen done, severa
new furnac s will lie read, 10 go mi
onnration he !,