The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-01
INDUSTRIAL TOPICS.

Coke production and output In the
Connellsville region for the week ended
April 20 took another tumble. the form
er being In the neighborhood Of 1900
tons less than for the preceding week
Shipments do not show this much of q
slump in the demand, thus indicating
that some of the coke that has been
standing unconsigned on board cars
for the past two or three weeks was
shipped out of the region. However.
there are yet several hundred cars load
ed without destination. The number
may be decreased this week.
Washington and Greene counties are
worked up to Il keen pitch of excite
ment over the probability of the sale
OF a large area of coal lands an area so
large as to embrace $1,000 to so, 900 acres
and possesses a value of not less than
Sl,5OO.OO0. The country involved in
cludes the southern portion of Somer-
set and South Strabane townships, the
west side of Pike Run and East Bethie-
hem, all in Washington county, and q
large scope of the townships of Morgan.
Washington and Jefferson in Greene
county. The options that had been
taken In this field for Philadelphia cap
italists expired April /, without the
one-third of the purchase money being
paid down as the agreement called for.
1t Is believed, however, the transfer will
yet be made. The price paid per acre
on the west side of the field is $40, but
further east the rate is higher.
more exhaustive study of the Read
ings March statements shows that net
results We're due almost wholly to
economies in operation of the proper
ties. This is proven by a comparison
of the March and February statements
1t Is we'll known fact that the COM
pany's coal tonnage was considerab bly,
larger last month than the preceding
month. Under ordinary circumstances
gross earnings should, therefore, show
an increase, but the Stakeholder finds
by examining the statement of the Coal
and Iron company that gross earnings
last month with a much larger ton
nage) were 1926, ,4S6 less than in Febru-
airy. 1t Is evident, therefore, that the
Reading received a much lower price
for coal sold in March than in Febru-
ary, and yet in the former month there
was profit from mining of no less
than 1923, 10, against a loss in Febru-
airy of s63176, thus making the net
change for March over February 1885,
$50. This showing was made possible
by heavy reduction in expenses.
The Philadelphia Stakeholder thinks
it is quite probable the present week
will determine whether there is to be an
open war between the various anthra-
cite coal interests, or whether another
effort will be made to adjust the ques-
tions in dispute. Unless the sales
agents, at their adjourned meeting to-
day. agree as to the May output we
duction, which is now in force, and
which, If kept up for a week or two,
will find the markets flooded with coal,
to the detriment of prices. Indeed, sales
have been already made at figures be-
low those recently ruling-a level the
lowest known for several years past.
The excuse offered for some of the
collieries being put on full time, that
they be enabled to make up their
months allotments, suggests that some
of the companies failed to observe their
agreement to restrict production earlier
in the month, for the output up to
April 20 was on basis which, IL con-
tnued to the end of the month, would
swell the total for the month to several
hundred thousand tons in excess Of the
agreed output.