The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-27
INDUSTRIAL.

Although the Tehigh Valley has not
paid dividend for some time. the posi-
ton of the stock has been greatly i'm
proved during the last year. The COM
pany has been so materially strength
cned financially that a resumption of
dividends Is now dependent entirely
upon continued betterment OF the an
thracte coal trade. The latter Is In a
state which may be characterized rs
satisfactory. The Lehigh Valley is un-
doubtedly benetiting by the improved
state of the anthracite coal trade. and
while no official announcement of earn
ings has been made or is likely to be
made at this time. the outlook is en-
courasing for resumption of dividends
on the stock i'm the more or less near
future say. the coming fall
A New York dispa tch to the Philadel-
phia Press asserts, ION good authority
that the agreement entered into in the
early part of January among the an
thracite cOal-carrying lines for the
regulation of the coal output and traffic
has been indefinitely abandoned. The
special committee intrusted with the
task of arranging the details of the or
ganiZation some days ago decided to
make no report and the general under
ties was that no action should be taken
for the present looking to the enforce
ment of the measure. The reason as
signed for the abandonment of the as
Socia ton was the opposition leveled
against the measure The claim is that
the action of the New York and New
Jersey legislatures, in threatening to
investigate the organization. coupled
with the clamor in certain quarters in
duced the indefinite pOstponement of
the contract, and it is not likely that
there will be any attempt to enforce it
for some time. The promised increase
in the price of coal will not be made. and
the various companies will continue.
as heretofore. to operate under their
individual methods. In other words,
the agreement is off for the present.
Philadelphia Stakeholder: The tide
water anthracite coal trade has been
stimulated into activity by March
winds. Interior points are also profit
ing by favorable climatic conditions
As result consumption for March
will be normal, and not far from 3000.-
900 tons. This will be an excess over
the monthly estimate of 80. 900 tons. 1t
was understood tina. the increase was
tacitly allowed when the unexpected de-
mand developed early in the month.
Full circular prices are being obtained
at all eastern and western points. and
general satisfaction is expressed over
net returns. A favorable feature of the
situation from the producers stand
point Is that the demand is from hand
to-mouth indicating that the trade Is
bare of stocks. and that when 1t starts
In to provide fall requirements it will
make things lively. There is consider
able talk in trade circles just now as
to production for April. We under
stand that it will be no greater than
100000 tons. and may be tritie less.
Prices will no! be changed April !. but
may be advanced May |. 1t is under
stood that the committe in control of
the industry determines the allotments
month by month. The interests can
produce their proportion, less or more,
as they see fit. with this servation.
that they will be allowed to make up
any deficiency. and must make good
any excess. knowledge that they will
come out of the year even naturally
renders them eager to secure as much
for their coal as possible month by
month. Hence the almost total absence