The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-22
INDUSTRIAL TOPICS.

The large output of coal has not been re-
stricted. The cutting of prices goes on
Stove coal has been sold by one leading
company In New York for $40 per ton
and chestnut coal has been sold by an
other for $265.
William Stein, of Shenandoah, Will be
mine inspector of the Sixth anthracite dis
trict for another term of five years. He
was chosen out of eight applicants. Mr..
STEMS examination was perfect and
showed that he had gained much during
his two successive terms as inspector OF
the Sixth district. Mr.. Stein has now held
the position Of mine inspector for ten
years.
The circular price for stove coal in Phil
adelphia is about Si25 per ton, while the
actual selling price by the Pennsylvania
and Reading has been 81 per ton, on Wy
oming coal. and $40 on Lehigh coal. 1t
is known, however, that concessions from
thes prices have recently been made, and
it is said that orders have been taken this
week at $3.50 per ton. Purchases at even
this low price have made only in cases Of
necessity, as the belief exists among deal
ers that lower figures will yet be reached,
unless the companies check promptly the
decline in prices.
place annual contracts for bituminous coal
on or about April l. This year. however,
it will probably be much later, as prices
are low and the general trade in such a
condition that coal men believe it inadvis-
able to accept contracts at this time, es-
pecially as the feeling exists that bottom
has been reached in prices, and that a
change for the better is probable. Some
of them have announced. therefore, that
they will keep their time open until June
/, by which date II is believed contracts
can be accepted on a definite basis.
II possible the presidents of the anthra-
cite coal roads will meet in New York to-
day. President Harris has, by letter, sug
gested such a meeting, but he has not yet
received n sufficient number of replies TO
enable him to say definitely that the
meeting will be held. Certain data have
been compiled and will be submitted at
the meeting, but it is doubtful whether
any solution to the present trouble in the
trade, which consists largely in dissatis-
faction over the tonnage percentage. can
be Immediately reached. There is a dis
position among the several interests to
reach an amicable settlement, but other
wise the situation is unchanged. 1t is I'M
derstood that President Harris will stand
out for 81 per cent. Of the output. The
company continues shipping a large
amount of coal to market, the total for
| last week having been 265, 40 tons. This
| is an increase over the preceding week Of
about 10000 tons and an increase over the
| corresponding week last year OF 80 iG9 tons.
| For the fiscal year to date its shipments
aggregate S,6O7.223 tons, against 1888 III
| tons for the same time last year. an in
crease of 35i, lO9 tons.
Wilkes-Ba Record: In the course of
the next six months it Is expected that
many important changes will be made
about the old Avondale mine of the Del
aware, Lackawanna and Western. This
mine has been steadily worked for num-
ber of years and is one of the oldest work
| ings on the West Side AS a consequence
| of this the coal that Is now being mined il
| situated at great distance from the foot
| Of the shaft and the officials experience
much difficulty in keeping the water down
| in this portion of the mine. Some of the
pumps in the lower levels are nearly three
| miles from the boiler house and the pres
| sure of steam Is reduced twenty pounds in
being conveyed to these pumps and the ef-
| feet of this Is that the lower workings i'm
the remote parts OF the mine have been
| idle most of the time owing TO the pumps
being drowned out. The officials of the
| coal department OF tne l'eidWare, LACK
awanna and Western have been seriously
| considering for some time means of over
coming the trouble and have finally con-
cluded that steam is no longer practicable
in running the pumps and have decided to
run the pumps by electric power. a
couple of large dynamos will be placed on
| the surface, which will be operated by
| steam and the power conveyed by copper
| cables to the pumps without much, If any
loss.