The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-05
MINE. MILL AND RAILROAD.


Commenting upon the sale of the
Jeanesville and ]. c. Hayden & Co.
collieries to the Lehigh Valley Coal
company, the HaZleton Plain-Speaker
saws: "The rumors of big combine
about to be formed-to which the Le-
high Valley will be one of the parties
in opposition to another combination
of coal roads, seems to be the idea most
favored. The Lehigh Valley, to make
itself felt in the combination, and also
to preclude the possibility of another
road-the Pennsylvania, or Jersey Cen
trail, or Reading, for misunderstanding
the tonnage of the Pardee collieries,
is making strenuous efforts to gain
possession of these collieries-so 1t Is
said And a few more days will develop
the truth of the matter. Whatever Is
the intentions of the Lehigh Valley in
gaining control of these collieries no
one processes to know, and these are
mere surmises. But that there is some
thing in view of great import cannot be
doubted. The deal which was consum-
mated between the Lehigh Valley and
j. c. Hayden & Co.. covers the collierles,
strippings and other mining operations
of the firm at Jeanesville. j. c. Hay
don & Co. still retain possession OF the
Jeanesville shops-the machine shop,
boiler shop and foundry--and OF the
Jeanesville store. The announcement
made last week that the Lehigh Valley
Railroad company intended pur-
chasing or leasing the South Sugarloaf,
the No. 3, the No. 6, the Laurel Hill and
Halle Mines collieries, at present oper-
ated by T. Pardee & Co., although a
little doubtful, seems to have been cor
rect. Some of the collieries were ordered
on Tuesday to empty the coal pockets,
from which it is CLEANED that some
thing will happen soon."
Upon the same subject the Standard
said: despite the reticence of those
who know all about it, the fact has
leaked out that the collieries of a.
Pordee G. Co., will tomorrow morning
pass into the control of the Lehigh VAL
ley Coal company. This company also
consummated a deal last Saturday, but
which was not finally approved until yes
terday, by which they secure possession
of the Jeanesville collieries, Nos. l and
q, operated by ]. c. Hayden & Co. The
Jeanesvile people did not conceal the
fact that they had sold the leases to the
Lehigh Valley Coal company. j. G.
Hayden & Co. have for years operated
these mines under lease from the Le-
high Valley Coal company, who own the
land and under their management,
Jeanesville has not only grown to be
the model mining town in the coal re-
gion, but at the same time has drawn
to it the most thrifty miners in the
country. In regard to the Pardee col
lieries there Is but little to say further
than that these collieries will also pass
into ehands of the same company. This
information was given us by an official
of the Lehigh Valley Railroad company
last evening, and the frequent visits of
the Lehigh Valley officials, together
with that of General Superintendent
Lathrop, to the Pardee offices, seem to
confirm the statement. Whether these
changes will be q benefit to HaZleton
the future can only develop. But opin-
ions are greatly divided, some thinking
that it will mean less work. while
others perdict BOOM"
A large gang of Lehigh Valley track
men in charge of Section Foreman
Henry Habel, are treating that piece
of abandoned track between Audenried
and No. Honey Brook to a general
overhauling, says the Hazleton Stand
ard. New sills are being laid, defective
rails are being removed, and the road
is receiving thorough cleaning, par
ticular attention being paid to ballast
ing and leveling. The object in max
ing such an outlay of cash in this ap-
parently worthless piece of track is ex-
citing comment and people should not
be surprised to learn at no distant day
of the Lehigh Valley entering Honey
Brook by this route and continuing their
road to Pleasant Hill, the heart of a
big population, and join 1t to the New
Boston branch at Spring Mountain.
This could be made the main line with
very little expense. An enormous pas
senger and freight traffic would be CEN
tered and the Lehigh Valley would
have little trouble in obtaining that
traffic as well as the traffic from Pleas
ant Hill. The line runs through Auden
ried.
The slight increase in the coke trade
is being used as an argument in favor
of free trade and wisconsin. The facts
show that in September, 1892, coke
shipments amounted to 27,67S tons; in
September, 1893, 10,97S tons, and in
September, 1894, 32,23O tons, good
showing for 1894. The increased de-
mand for coke In September, 1894, was
due to the fact that manufacturers are
replacing the stock of coke useu up dur
Ing the recent strike. Wages show up
differently. The selling price of coke
in 1893 was $1.60; the selling price in
September, 1884, was $1OO, decrease
of 37k per cent. Considerable coke Is
being shipped, but wages are the lowest
ever paid in the region. In September,
1893, the rate of 100 bushels for mining
was 81, and that the rate in September,
1894, was rs cents, reduction of % per
Ccul' III 1000 Tie Idle per lVU DuSHelS
for drawing coke was So cents, while
in 1894 1t was 43 cents, reduction of 22
per cent. Some of the coke companies
are now paying 70 cents per 100 bush
els for mining.
Each year increases the opposition OF
the railroad companies to giving re-
duced rates to ministers, Opponents
of this custom say they are paid
usually good salaries and are able to
pay full rates as well as others. The
indianapolis Journal thinks 1t is prob
able it will end in giving reduced rates
to ministers only on the initial road al
the point they offlciate as clerygymen
but they will not be able to go from
Mh M,.qa -