Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
STILL BADLY AFFLICTED.

The Car Famine in the Coke Region is
Worse Than Ever-Operators Blowing
Out Their Ovens as a Means of Relief
Decrease in Shipments.
SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE prsPArcH.;
SCoTTsDALE, Dec 4-The coke market is
tottering along. under more affective condi-
tions than ever. Within the past week it has
developed that instead of a perceptible i'm
provement in the car supply, It has grown de-
cidedly worse and with evidence OF q contin-
uance of the decline. The damage already
done by this car dearth is irreparable. There
is not the slightest indication apparent for its
abatement. Operators and railroad COM
panies have been centralizing their
efforts to wipe out this seriously
disturbing factor, but their efforts have been
fruitess. Many of the works this and last
week were unable to secure car some days,
and in consequence their entire output was
piled on the yards. The railroad companies
have been making numerous promises for
change for the better in shipping facilities. put
just as often have they failed to materlalize
The companies mean well, as the car troubles
are bothering them as much as the coke COM
panieS. Their equipments, however. are NOT
equal to the requirements. Recruits were
promised when the lake coal trade closed, but
again failed TO connect. The requirements OF
the coke region is about $500 cars. perhaps
couple of hundred cars more, and as evidence
Of the last O11 TaSs d. ips
stead of 600. the number required.
This scarcity of cars will inevitably lead to
undesired results. This week the intention OF
of a number of the coke companies is an.
nounced to blow out certain percentage of
their ovens a medium of relief. The Flick
Company has given notice that 1t will shut
down Isis ovens, distributed as follows: lOl at
Mammoth 20 at Wynn. so at Eagle, 255
at Standard, i21 at Tiptop, 10O at
Trotter, 50 at Adelaide, "a at Leith.
200 at LeisenerinG No. /, 81 az Leisenering No.
. and l63 at Leisenering. The same company
has closed the Frick plant of $50 ovens. Henry
Clay of 40. Foundry of 81. and all but 20 ovens
out of a plant OF 100 ovens at Mo1Esns, ON ON
stock. Following the Frick Company.
the Schoonmaker Company has served notices
that it will blow out . per cent OF It's plants,
apportIoned as follows: One hundred and eleven
at Redstone, 90 ut Youngstown 9S at Jimtown
and Sterling. IS at United. 10 at Central, IS at
Mutual. Total 457
The HecIa Company, on the Sewlckley
branch, operating SD ovens. has given notice
that it will close down % per cent of
the number at the expiration of six
The Southwest Coal and Coke Company has
likewise given notice that it will bank % per
cent of the whole number of ovens, which is
l,l5l. This means the blowing out of about 2SS
ovens The Mcclure Company is the only large
company in the region that has not given
notice to blow out ovens up to this
its works six days per week right along. The
restriction of production by the blowing out of
the many ovens mentioned above will materially
reduce the stock piles and prevent the
further accumulation of coke. No change
has been noticeable in the demand.
The urgent demands of furnacemen
and other consumers are being met
with promptitude. or in accordance with the
state of transportation. An operator said TO-
day: The situation is becoming more ana more
critical. The suspension of all these ovens is
due principally to the car famine. Would not
be surprised to witness more suspensions. as
they have been under contemplation for some
time. Don't think the demand is lessening.
When you get full run of cars these days you
are in luck"
On the heels of the inadequate car supply
comes the kicking of furnace men on the
prices. and a reported combine of them to Sc
cure a reduction. Sufficient to say, they will be
doing well to accomplish that end this year.
Works continue TO operate SIX days per week.
The idle list of ovens in the region, which now
numbers about 500. will be swclied to about
$500 next week. The Charlotte mine here is
still extinct. The Mcclure Company is firing
up its new Lemont plant of 800 ovens, There
are no labor troubles to mar trade in this
region. The Mammoth plant Of 500 ovens is
again IN blast.
Shipments last week fell away below the
previous week. Shipments averaged 925 cars
per day. as against ll5l cars OF the week be-
fore. The decrease for the week was L. 235 cars.
Following is the record of consignmenIs: To
points West of Pittsburg, 3450 cars; to Pitts
burg and river points, 1,300 cars; to points East
the record of the preceding week: To points
West of Pittsburg. 400 cars: to Pittsburg and
river points, 600 cars; to points East of Pitts
burg, .l25 cars, total ,7S5 cars Freight rates
from the region to points of consumption are as
follows: