The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-06
INDUSTRIAL.

| SihhhtS, vi u SioPt u ICoPSN-
lively that will extend from the sur
face to the basin of the coal measures,
thus tapping all of the veins of coal in
existence there. and also making 1t
possible to mine hundreds of thousands
of tons Of superior fuel that 1t was i'm
possible to cut lin partially worked
veins in the past. The first of these
big shafts will be sunk on the old Potts
colliery at Locust Dale. and will be
continued until the basin is reached. 1t
is expected that by TIE means of this
vertical opening 9CO yards will pene-
trate the earth to TIE same depth as
1000 yards of slope would do and the
strain on the timbers will be corre-
spondirgly reduced and the mining Of
the deeper coal seams will be made con-
siderably cheaper and safer. Mining
experts, who have studied this question
for years, predict that the innovation
Of shafting will revolutionize the
methods of mining row in vogue. The
matter OF introducing electric power
! for coal hauling and lighting purposes
in several Of the Reading company's
mines that have pitching veins is also
being seriously considered by the Off
cials. as the plant recently placed at
the Enterprise mine is working very
| satisfactorily.
| -:ll:--
| The rate of wages fixed by the COM
mittee of the Schuylkill coal exchange
to be paid miners in this region for the
last half Of November and the first half
| Of December is eight per cent. below
| the $3.50 basis This is the highest rate
of wages paid since November of last
year, when the rate for the first half
| of the month was also eight per cent.
below that basis. The avera ge calculated
| rate for the present year, including the
| latest rate is 12h per cent. below the
basis. During June. July, August, sep-
| tember and October wages went Is, l6
and II per cent. below the basis, but the
Philadelphia & Reading company paid
at the rate Of IL per cent. below, maxi
ing the average payments to its en-
ployes for the year 10& per cent. below
the basis.
ill.,
A meeting Of the bituminous coal op-
orators will be held in New York today
to take such action as will create har-
mony in the trade and an increase in
the price of this variety of coal. Some
time ago a committee was formed to
prepare plan for the restoration Of
rates and the restriction of production
Before this was done the individual
operators were to be seen and their
cooperation solicited. It is said that
all the coal producers in the various
districts have been seen and they have
given their consent to going into any
scheme that will be Of benefit to the
trade.
-:l:--
The town of Keystone, s. Dak., has
grown from its three log cabins in 1891
to a place Of 1000 people. 1t has three
mills crushing ore and two more build
ing, with good buildings, schools, etc,
and all the signs of flourishing civil
ization. Two lines Of railroads are sur.
veyed to the camp, which will be built
In the near future. The town thus far
has had legitimate growth due to the
finding and working Of new mines. but
there Is no doubt that with the advent
of the railroad the camp will suffer all
the effects of the Western boom.
--'Il:-
The report that an extensive deal Is
about to be consummated involving i'm.
portant freight connections between
the Long Island railroad and the Jer-
sey Central. Baltimore and Ohio and
Lehigh Valley railroads is denied by
officials of the latter company. The
scheme was said to include the build
ing of bridge between Bergen Point
N. j., and Staten Island, and a car ferry
between the latter and Bay Ridge.
-:lI:--
The Luke Fiddler Mine at Shamokin
which was flooded over a year ago for
the purpose of extinguishing the fire
which resulted In the death of many
men and thirty-five mules, will soon
again be put In operation. All the water
has at last been pumped out. The
bodies Of the mules have also been
taken out. The estimated loss by the
flood Is $4,000.
-:Il:--
The Lehigh Valley Railroad company
has awarded a contract for the equip
ment Of 1856 miles Of its track with auto
matte signals, which, when erected, will
give the company 235 miles or TRACK
protected by these signals. 1t is said
the company intends to equip its whole
line with these signals.
-:Il:-
What are claimed to be the largest
fire engines in the world are the two
built recently in London. One is capa-
bic of throwing 14OO, the other 1900 to
1000 gallons Of water per minute. The
machines weigh three and one-half
tons each, and can be readily drawn at
full gallop by four horses.
jill
Three times as many American horses
have been sold in England this year
as were called for In 1884. and heir
average price at the ports of shipment
has been $155. They are used chiefly
for draught in London.
--:ll:--
Our merchant marine decreased Co.
900 tons in the year ending with last
June. Only 252 voyages were made be-
tween the United States and Europe
under the American flag, as against 10,-
1888 under foreign ones.
--:il:--
There will be a meeting of all initial
anthracite coal carrying lines In New
York on Friday, to take up the ques-
ton Of advancing the freight rates on
coal to western points fifty cents per
ton.
The Philadelphia Inquirer Is convinced
that the coal trade will never thrive until
the Reading railroad is accorded the hogs
share Of tonnage. We shall see.
---:ll:-
The United Mine Workers Of Amer
lea now claims a membership of about
IL, 900 miners in the anthracite coal
| field.
Rockefeller's income is s27 900 daily.
Toledo Grain Market.
rro,ado n Dcc 5-wheat-Receipts