Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-02
{ A CRITICAL SITUATION.
The Coke Market Is in Depressing Con-
dition-Furnacemen Making It Worse
by Shutting Decentralization in Prices
in Various Districts.
ESPECIAL rrLrenAM TO THE prsrArcu.,

LII VdrIOus OlstIlcISs
ESPECIAL TELKeRAM TO THE prspArcaa
SCoTTDALE, Jan. 1.-The coke market can
be fittingly described as depressed. The situa-
tion is really critical-such that prompt meas
ures of relief have been taken. Trade is tot
tering along in the same channel as mentioned
in the last report. with the exception that
further decline in the volume of business was
noticeable the past week. The demand has ap-
parently assumed dropping tendency. The
outlook which is usually encouraging at this
Juncture OF the year, prior to the formation of
q new annual labor contract. is exceeding poor.
At this stage of last year there was a booming
demand and almost unprecedented activity in
the lethargic condition of the market
is mainly attributable to the down.
ward tendency and poor prices ruling
in the pig iron market The Indications at this
writing are that trade will be further embar.
rassed and harassed by the banking of % fur
naces in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys.
which consumed ConnellsvIlle coke entirely 1t
was asserted that this difficulty was abridged
by the II. Z. Frick, the leading
company, granting a reduction of %
cents on the ton. This does not seem to have
finally satisfied the furnacemen, though, and
their mad desire is seemingly for whole hog or
none. While the furnacemen may or may not
be unit in their efforts to obtain a 45-cent re.
duction in prices it can be dotted down as a
wise unit in their opposition
and any further requests for consideration
of their grievances will, undoubtedly, be per.
emptorily declined.
The operators are thoroughly convinced that
they have contributed their share toward the
extrication of the furnacemen from their
dilemma. The concession OF the 2-cent re-
duction is regarded as quite liberal, and
with it. That the operators have decided
to refuse any further concessions, as pre-
yiously outlined In THE DISPATCH, is tittingly
illustrated BY the actions of leading company
today. It is considered quite significant. The
Frick Company served notice on their
employees, that following the expiration
indefinitely Isl ovens, consigned to the vari-
GUS works as follows: l64 at Kyle: 20 at Leith
100 at Leisenering No. 2: 80 at Leisenering No.
3; so at Trotter: $50 at Adelaide: So at Foundry:
146 at White; 100 al Valley; 80 at Davidson; 157
at Standard, and p at Summit. 1t is the pre-
vaiiing opinion that other companies
will follow Frick in the movement for
pensions and the fact that over 25 per cent Of
all the ovens in the region are already extinct.
has increased the fear that business will be-
come stagRaut.
Conversing on the situation an operator said
to-day: $50 the furnacemen disregard our
efforts to assist them, do they7 Wei.
as a matter, of course, we would be sorry to
witness the dampening of their furnaces, bur
cannot see, truly, how we can render any
further help. / am sure we would willingly do
so, II we could see our way clear. believe
that present prices will be maintained for the
balance of the year. anyhow. To make an
other reduction. as demanded. would result in
operating our works at a loss. l, for one,
am opposed to it."
There was a decided decrease in shipments
last week. The violent snow storms which
visited the region, and the numerous railroad
blockades which attended it, were serious
drawbacks to business. The railroad companies
had sufficient car supply, but could not reach
all the works. Many works were unable to
make full time. losing as high as three days on
account of the storm, while others stocked
their entire production on'the yards by the con-
sequent shortage of cars, The interposition of
holiday also had a perceptible effect, as all
companies observed 1t. Works will also
lay off one day this week. There arc
still over 1000 cold ovens in the region, which
will be increased to over 5000 by the banking
of the ovens above mentioned. The active list
still foots up to II, 700 nearly. The United
plant of 500 ovens is cold on account of fire in
the mine. The Charlotte plant here is also idle
for the same reason.
Shipments last week averaged SlS cars per
day as against S67 cars of the previous week.
The decrease was go cars for The week. Fol-
lowing is the record of consignments: To
points west of PIttsburg 2,7l0 cars; to Pitts
burg and river tipples, 400 cars; to points east
of Pittsburg. 800 cars; total, 4,9l0
This was the record of the preceding week: To
points west of Pittsburg, 2.475 cars; TO Pitts
burg and river tipples, 1850 cars to points east
of Pittsburg. LOIS cars; total 5, 200 cars Since
the reduction of 25 cents in coke prices the fol-
lowing is given as the quotations: Furnace
coke, 81 80: foundry, 81 As. and crushed, 81 IS,
all +. o. b. car at ovens per ton of 1000 pounds.
The foundry and crushed coke price are unof-