The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-11-25
THE P & r. @. g. 1. 90.
Certain That It's Quota viii be
Increased.

Increased
There is 70 longer any doubt that the
production Of anthracite coal next year
VIII b. on S ff,rent basis from the present
combination. New York and Boston
journals spoke of the Reading as 'lame
log" They said that, as a matter Of fact.
he Reading had been treated very lib
arslly in the past, that it was idle to think
be other members Of the combination
would give it any more tonnage, and that
this settled the matter, as the Reading
'ould not dc anything in the face Of such
position. In the last six weeks remark
able change has come over the tone Of ad-
vices from New York. Instead Of b,iug
called "lsme dog the Reading is now
spoken Of rs the Colossus of the coal
trade.
No arrangement for next year will be
made until after the first of the year.
There is, however, no longer any doubt of
II Encouragement. That is conceded in
quarters where change is least desired.
The Reading will have more tonnage.
Possibly there will be coal war, but this
is very doubtful When the talk OF in
creased allotment for the Reading began
there we're loud threats that coal war
would result. This threat failed as a better
understanding of Readings physical and
| financial condition has led to the conclusion
| that the Reading is better able to stand
coal war than any road in the combination.
The Reading Company has Sl00,0OO,0OO
| invested that is now unproductive. Every
other company pays large dividends on It's
stock after paying interest on the bonds.
The Reading owns one-hslf the coal in the
ground II has facilities to mine and mar
ket 10, 600 tons per year. Last year it
mined 1000 600, or little more than half its
capacity. This year, owing to the better
condition of the trade, it will mine about
9, 0O0O 600 tons, but this is only enough to
enable it to pay fixed charges and leave a
could be mined with little more expense,
and, as q result, every obligation of the
Reading company, fixed and contingent,
would be paid and the stock would pay
six per cent. 1t has been often said in
reply to this statement that it is only a
theory that cannot be carried out Quite
the contrary. 1t has been demonstrated.
In October the company mined and shipped
and sold over l, ,e00, 600 tons without trouble
and could have exceeded that amount.
This could be done every month in the
year, MS the collieries are constantly being
improved. Here, then, is 3 condition and
not theory.
There is another point to be taken into
consideration. The anthracite production
this year will be the largest in history, and
the market has absorbed or is absorbing it
all. Had the companies all kept faith and
maintained prices the net profits to ALI
would have been magnificent Unfortu-
nstely, this has not been done at all times,
owing to the jealousy and the efforts of the
other companies to keep the Readings
percentage where it is, although on an
average prices have been reasonably we'll
maintained. The outlook for next year is
equally bright. If the combination shall
give the Reading its just dues even if the
concession is large, and all maintain prices
the other companies will make the largest
profits in their history, notwithstanding
| 'hoir CohCessiOhs' anu heaulhB sIOCh Will
to use a slang phrase, be "Out of sight"
The present management of the Reading
has done what WAS not deemed possible by
its best friends or its worst enemies The
property in few years has been rehsbili-
tsted, Improvements have been made in al
most every direction. Its earnings are in
cressing, Ind its prospects are the brightest
it has had for twenty years.
|