Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-06
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,

rPrcTLL TELEeRAM TO THE DrsPAToH.i
ScoTTDALE, FEB. 5.-The coke market is
moustrously dull At the time of last report
symptoms of improvement, temporary at least,
were presented but they have vanished. The
only incentive to buyers for the enlargement Of
their orders is the probability of strike
or suspension of work in this region.
Were 1t not for this fear trade
would be at still lower ebb.
In the past week the volume Of business trans
acted did not fulfill expectations. though the
output was somewhat curtaIled by the inter
ruption of operations at many plants on ac-
count of the Mammoth disaster. Operators
were energetic in their efforts to fill all orders
and shipments were made with noticeable alac-
rity. The operators and miners got together
this week and made another futile at
tempt to fix the wage trouble, and
in consequence the operators threaten a sus-
pension of the entire region on next Tuesday
and the miners a strike. Serious results are
feared. This is the time of the year when coke
producers renew contracts with consumers for
the coming year, and the uncertain outcome Of
the wage question will have detrimental
effect thereon.
The Mahonng and Shenango Valley furnaces,
numbering % which were recently banked,
will be resumed if operators can make fur
railroad companies modify freight rates some
what. The pending difficulties, however, pre-
vent this consummaton. since the miners
evInce strong disposition to stand against
ping facilities were in an excellent
condition last week. All the railroads
furnished liberal supply of cars and
the motive power was sufficient. Orders
from the Western districts were In advance
of the previous week. Consumers are replen-
ishipg their stocks in anticipation of cessa-
tion of work.
Ever since the valley furnaces closed down
the coke trade has been on the
downward tendency. and last week the effects
were felt still greater. Eastern demand was
fell several laps behind the previous week,
| which tended to further cypress the market
The production last week was retarded by
the Mammoth mine horror. as the Hecla.
Mutual and Calumet plants were all reported
idle two and three days. The big Mammoth
plant is still idle and will likely remain SO for
several weeks. IAN operator said to-day:
THE coke trade is certainly in bad shape. The
demand is comparatively small. as many fur
naces are out of blast and other furnacemen are
threatening suspension. The conditions are
being aggravated by the miners e1orbitant de-
mand. and fear general shutdown in the re-
gion next week The outlook is decidedly poor"
The various works were operated hve and six
days last week, according to the imperative
wants of consumers. RaIney, Mcclure. South
west and part of the FrIck works ran six days.
The Stewart and Pennsville companies also
ran full time The idle ovens aggregate 9. G.l74 The
Summit plant of 1o0 ovens was shut down last
week. There has been no resumption at any
of the plants. The Hill Farm plant is still idle.
The list of active ovens sums up 9906.
The total diminution in shipments last week
was z2S cars. Shipments averaged 792 cars per
day, as against S63 cars of the previous
| week Following is the record of consign-
ments: To points west of Pittsburg, 2, l45 cars;
to Pittsburg and river points, 1,7S0 cars; to
points east of Pittsburg, S7o cars: total, 4, $50
cars. This was the record of the preceding
week: To points west of Pittsburg, 2.020 cars;
to PIttsburg and river tipples, Isis cars: TO
DoiDts east of PittSburr / 2S3 cars: total 5 us
cars. Prices remain the same as follows: Fur
mace coke, 81 30: foundry. 81 30: crushed. 81 65,
all +. o. b. cars at ovens per ton of 1000 pounds
Freight rates are unchanged, as follows: