The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-19
The COAL OPERATORS MEET
Large Representation Yesterday at
Hotel Waldorf.
COAL SITUATION DISCUSSED
Driven to tho Wall by the Reading Rail
road They VIII Seek Methods Of
Self fProtectiOn-FavOra to
the Lchigh Valley.

New York, April 1S.--Sixty members
of the Anthracite Coal Dealers associa-
tion were present this afternoon at the
annual meeting held at the Waldorf ho-
tel President Connell presided. Among
those represented were: Connell Coal
company, Scranton; Simpson & Wat
kins, Scranton; ]. c. Haddock & Co.,
Wilkes Barre Lentz, Litter 4 Co.,
Mauch Chunk; l.. A. Riley & Co., Cen
tralia. Pa; Milk Creek company, Mauch
Chunk; Raymond Coal company,
Scranton: George H. Myers, Bethle-
hem; w. r. Smith, Scranton.
The meeting lasted three hours. There
was an animated discussion. President
Connell put 1t plainly that the members
Of the association did not propose to
longer continue to sell coal cheaper
than the cost of production.
Every possible effort must be made
to come to some satisfactory agree
ment with one or more of the coal car
rying railroad companies. The Read
ing railroad, bankrupt concern, as
they termed it, was driving them to
the wall To save themselves they
must take some practicable steps at
ly discussed The result was that cer-
tain resolutions were adopted which eX-
pressed the future plans of the associ-
alton. 1t was then decided, after some
difference of opinion, that it would not
be advisable to make these plans pub
lie, Just at preent. In another week
President Connell said the purposes
of the association would be explained.
1t Is known. however, that one resolu-
ton was adopted. This reads that a
committee shall formulate a plan to
secure representation in some of the
coal carrying companies.
The Plan of Operation.
This plan is to be made known to
each of the members in confidence The
idea is that the association through Its
members shall become stockholders in
some of the companies and thus i'm
| prove their condition. AS stockholders
they can appeal to the courts. If neces-
sary, to better their interests. They can
claim that the attitude of the compan.
les is injurious to them.
1t Is also understood that negotiations
will be made within week with Ger.
toiA IL tHesc
do not meet with success, the associa.
| tion will try and make some arrange
ment with a particular company. Ir
such case the Lehigh Valley road would
undoubtedly prove the most favorable
| for them. 1t is said that some informa.
ton furnished by Coke Brothers has
given them hope, Coke Brothers are
the largest operators in Pennsylvania
| They were represented at today's meet.
ing. This firm has a definite agree.
ment with the Lehigh Valley railroad.
The individual operators in the asso.
ciation control. as they claim, more
| than one-third of the annual output
| They say their prospects now are much
| better than they have been. An in.
crease in the price of coal at the mines
they claim, should not materially effect
the retail price. and 1t would have the
effect of putting the operators on q
| firmer financial basis. President Con.
nell promised that he would make
known at the end of a week the plan OF
action upon which the association has
decided. The output last year Of the
mines represented by the association
was about 1000, 600 tons.