Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-18
KEEPING UP PRICES.

Coke Operators Continue TO Restrict Pro.
duction- The Switchmen's Strike Favor.
ably Affecting the Trade-Decrense in
Shipments-Rates Nominnliy Unchanged.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPkrcHi
ScoTTDALE. April 1.-THE coke trade is
travelling along in about the same channel as
when last reported. No increase in orders is
noted. and operators have made good use Of
the restriction policy The operators will make
an effort to maintain existing prices throughout
the year and their employees have co-operated
in this aim. II the switchmen's strike is not
averted 1t will certainly have a damaging effect
on trade, but just at present it is factor to aid
it, inasmuch as many of the consumers are in
creasing their orders in anticipation of the
strike. = ~
The operators are of the opinion that the ap-
parent dullness in the iron trade Will soon be
overcome and the coke trade again enllvened
At present it is stated that there is no competi-
tion worth mentioning to iDjure trade. or over
l4.600 ovens in the region. about 1000 are idle.
and present indications point to the suspension
of over 800 more if there is no immediate I'M
provement in orders 80
MORE OVENS TO BE SHUT DOWN.
The Frick Company will close down next
week, unless orders increase in the meantime,
the ovens at the following plants: Twenty-Five
at Henry Clay, 80 at Ohphant, 200 at No. 2
Leisenring, 80 at Mammoth, A at Valley
Works, and "A at Foundry. No other operators
have as yet signlfed their intentions to close
more ovens. The Mcclure. Frick. Schoon-
maker and Hecla IN all banked ], 245 ovens the
former part of this week.
As long as the coke trade does not fall below
5000 cars, or l6S 0O0 tons, it is considered very
fair, and last week 6175 cars were sent out.
There is q great contrast betTeen these figures
and those of the preceding week. Shipments
aggregating 6l75 cars. or ILL., l50 tons, were con-
signed to the various points of consumption as
follows: To points west of Pittsburg. $500 cars;
to Pittsburg and river points, ], $50 cars; to
points east of Pittsburg 425 The pre-
ceding weeks shipments gave total of
points west of Pittsburg. 800 cars; to Pitts
burg and river points, !, 600 cars; to points east
of Pittsburg, l9l0 cars. Shipments last week
compared with the previous week decreased to
to Eastern points. 535 cars. =
Rainey's works are yet all operating in full.
The strike has not yet been declared.
INoUIR1NG FOR WORK.
The coke superintendents are badly bothered
by anxious inquiries for work since the shut
ting down of SO many ovens. An operator
stated that there had been enough men at his
works yesterday to operate three plants of his
size.
Part ofithe Mahoning plant.is still idle.
The Jackson works are in operation again,
after a couple weeks idleness, on account of
land slide.
Five days will likely be the rule in the
region next week. ..--'
The Pennsville Coke Works were Idle yes
terday, because of the death of one of the en-
ployes.
Work is progressing on new ovens in course
of erection. 3D.
Prices are nominally the same: Furnace coke,
81 rs; foundry. 81 45; crushed, 50 s.. Freight
rates from ovens to points of consumption,
are also the same, and are thus: