The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07
THE revival OF trade
Outlook for II at Present Is Not
Highly Encouraging.
AMOUNT OF COAL TO BE MINED
1t VIII Not Greatly Exceed the Output
for Last Year Prices VIII Remain
About the Same Gloomy Condition
of Iron and Steel Trade.

With the coming Of spring many
tradesmen and others are hopefully an
ticipatng a brief revival in the trade
of Scranton and its vicinity. 1t Is the
testimony of all travelling men that
Scranton Is the best and busiest town
In their territory, and that compara-
lively speaking, Scranton felt the de-
preston to very small extent
The depression has, however, been
felt I'm the city, and arguments are
heard IN all directions that after the
depression of the past two years there
must of necessity be u reaction, the
prelude of which has already appeared.
Whether this is certainty must be de
termined by men who are in position
to give a definite and reliable opinion
In Scranton much depends on the sue
cessful working OF the mines. If the
output of coal be limited then the traf-
ic Is reduced accordingly ON the rail-
roads, and less money is expended on
the roads and I'm purchasing the pro-
ducts of the iron and steel industries,
and SO on, until almost every Industry
| is affected, more or less.
ATribune reporter interviewed lead
yesterday, who stated that the output
| of coal during the present year, in the
anthracite region, viii be slightly more
| than in the past year, but that prices
will practically be the same. The out
put I'm 1894 was 10000 900 tons, and on
| Jan. "a eleven coal operators made priv
ate estimates Of the output during the
present year. For obvious reasons the
names are not given, but the individual
| estimates, when handed in, showed the
| following figures: Al 300, 600 tons, 49,
600 900, 43 500 600, A 600 900, A 900 600, 43,
600 900, AZ 900 900, AZ, 500 600, A 900 600, 40 =
| 00O, 900, Al 800, 900.
Estimates Seem Correct.
The experiences of the past two
months, since the estimates were made,
prove that the output during the year
| will not exceed the amounts stated
| above.
| In the iron and steel industries it is
asserted that there is no prospect of
| improved trade, and that no orders are
| anticipated which will make any mate
| rial improvement. Offers have been
| made to place orders or ample dimen-
sions, but payment would only be made
| on eight or ten months bills, which
prevented some local firms accepting
| the offers. There is no doubt, however,
| that if the railroads had increased
and permanent traffic it would consider
ably benefit the iron and steel indus
tries, as it is well known that railroad
companies usually carrying thousands
of kegs of spikes and large stocks OF
rails and supplies have now very limited
stocks. During the past year less miles
| of road have been built than during any
similar period in the past twenty years,
the rolling stock has decreased, few
locomotives have been purchased and
the tracks have been in some instances
actually neglected, consequently it is
argued that when money is expended
| in these directions. it benefits Scranton
| In Lumber Circles.
| The lumber trade is also an import
ant factor in the commercial elements
| of Scranton, and many of the leading
men in this important industry agreed
yesterday that the prospects for in
creased trade Were not very bright, as
the demand for timber was consldera-
bly, lessened.
If reaction should materialize dur
ing the present year it is doubtful
that it will occur before the fall.