The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-04-26
HIGH WATER MARK.
1.-THE Worlds" Cheap Coal Sales
for One Day Are 346 Tons.
Anthracite Barons Count Profits
While Miners Suffer.
Figures Showing Cost Of Production
and Selling Price.

The large increase in the sales this
week OF $3.50 coal testifies to the grow
ing interest which is being taken in
The Worlds fight against the coal COM
bination.
The sales yesterday reached 346 tons,
which is the high water mark, bringing
the total UP to S,224 tons, and largely
increasing the daily average. This rep
resents a saving to consumers who
have purchased their coal through The
World, Of nearly $500. The offer holds
good oniy until May /.
1t is gratifying to note that
large proportion OF the orders which
have recently been placed call for coal
in considerable bulk, orders for Ave and
ten tons or more being numerous. This
indicates that the larger consumers are
appreciating 1.-The Worlds" enterprise
in supplying coal at low prices, and
have Joined the campaign against the
monopolists.
It was in 1879 that the anthracite
combination first began to affect prices
seriously. Since that time the retail
price of the domestic grades OF coal
has advanced as much as $3.50 ton,
although at the same time the cost OF
| ity has been materially reduced.
When the pool began its operations
in 1879 the price of coal per ton was
1850 In the following year. without any
| rhyme or reason the price was put up
to IS a ton. and the record of succeed
| ing years is given as follows: 1881, ?s75:
1855, s.; Is iSs7, $50; isss. ss isSs 1890.
S. 80; 1891, $50; 1892, s5.25; 1893, So; 1894.
$575: This shows very clearly what the
| aata to keen
and squeeze the public. Up to the pres
ent time no amount of protest on the
part Of the consumers t has had hns 1.-THE the
monopoiists. They have simply bought
up courts and Legislatures, and with
the law on their side have bid defiance
Looking at the other side Of the ques-
| ton. the cost of production at the mines,
1t will be seen that the descending
series of values is even more remarka,;,
prices.
In 1873, the average cost Of anthracite
coal at the mines was $25l ton; In lsI4
1851. 81. 70. and 1852, a.47. Since that time
1t has remained at about the same fig
and s5.25. at which coal is sold in the
market to-day, represents the enormous
profit which Is squeezed out of the pub
lie by the constituencies coal barons.
The anthracite coal fields are capable
IF producing more than 6o.0oO,OOO tons
year. but they are only being worked
half time, and the output Is less than
At, 100000 tons. The suffering and dis
tress among the miners, because of the
lack of employment during the past
year. have been intense, and all because
Of the greed of the great corporations
which control the entire industry.
II sixty millions tons Of coal were
mined and sold at lower prices every
miner would be employed the year
round the public would get it's coal at
something like its actual value and the
profits to the producers. while they
might not be as great as they now are
in consequence Of the extortion which Is
being practised, would at least be as
much as could reasonably be expected
to be secured in any legitimate business.
AS only three days more remain within
which consumers In this city and Brook
Ign will have the benefit OF the present
offer OF THE World" to sell coal at $45C
a ton, they should come forward with
their orders at once. Remember, that
every ton Of coal that Is purchased now
under the conditions offered means a
blow at the combine.
| Careful estimates show that The
World" is now selling IL per cent Of all
the domestic sizes Of anthracite now be-
ing sold In New York City. This Is q
most gratifying showing. but there Is nc
reason why the percentage should moi
be Increased. IL consumers would care
fully consider their interests in the mat
ter.