The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-14
INDUSTRIAL.

Philadelphia Inquirer: There Is ev-
cry reason to believe that the negotia-
tions now going on for an adjustment
of the bituminous coal trade difficult
ties will be settled quite as satisfac-
torily as the anthracite troubles have
been The railroad companies have
agreed upon freight rates and II the
mining interests can be brought to
agree upon the central sales agency
scheme there is no question rates will
be maintained and both the miner and
carrier receive more money. The buSi-
ness in late years has been done on
simply ruinouS basis. Soft coal has
sold free on board vessels in Philadel-
phia at $l.65 per ton. a price which
left the railroad but 30 cents for haul
of $50 miles. This is less than cents
a ton a mile for the most favOrably To-
Gated lines. while for the Norfolk and
Western and perhaps one other the
rate has not been over mills ton
mile. 1t is not surprising that under
such circumstances the Norfolk and
Western road has been obliged to seek
the protection of the courts, or that
the Baltimore and Ohio has had to APP
peal to bankers 10 save Ii from like
fate. No one has really been benefited.
because the railroads have been obliged
to render srvice at less than cost. The
proposal to charge $l.3O for the trans
portation will mean probably $2.1OOOOO
or $3.O00.OOO additional net earnings to
the TRANSFORMATION lines, without at all
damaging the consumer. who Is always
more injured by an unsettled price for
raw materials than by a firm and un-
varying price. The proposed arrange
ment is entirely in line with the steps
that have lately been taken tn strength
Ell rates which have fallen TO an un-
profitable basis in every department.
The new trunk line agreement, the an
thracite combination and the western
pool are examples of the manifest de-
termination of railroad officials all
over the country to obtain living rates.
a movement that Is received with salts
faction by every holder of securities
who has observed the extreme de-
moralization of the last two years.
--.--:--
The production of pig iron on Feb.
shows a decrease of 5000 tons as COM
pared with Jan. l. and stocks increased
about $4,000 tons during the latter
month. Since last October the weekly
capacity Of furnaces in blast has been
above 201, 900 tons. but on Feb. the Iron
Age reports show that II Is slightly
below that figure. The highest point
recorded in pig iron output in this
country was ?17.3O6 tons per week on
!.
900 tons on that date. have risen to o66.-
900 tons. 1t has been well understood
throughout .his period that the pro-
duction of iron was too large. and even
a greater falling off was looked for
than has actually occurred. The gen.
eral iron trade is in fairly good condi-
ton with prices unchanged from recent
quotations and n tendency to more ac-
tivity in Pit:sburg and some western
points.
The Pennsylvania Railroad company
has awarded contracts for Jl,OOO tons
of steel at S2S per ton: $4,000 tons for the
lines east of Pittsburg and 5000 tons
for the western lines. The contracts
have been divided among the follow
ing companies: Carnegie. 5000 tons;
Cambria, 6.COO: Pennsylvania. Steel.
5000: Lackawanna, 1000, and Illinois
Steel, $4,000
Buffalo. Feb. 13.-The exhibition of
pictures of scenes on the Lehigh Valley
railroad, which opened here on Tues
| day, closed last night. and was great
success. The total attendance for the
| two days was $500. including many
representative citizens of Buffalo. Fa-
yorable comment on the many beauti-
full pictures Of scenic grandeur on this
popular route were heard on all sides.
Old ilcrO.
Behold! he comes. HIS matted locks o'er
| beetling brows wave free;
| His brawny limbs are padded now, ana
| spiked shoes has he:
| The look upon his savage face Is one OF
! most bloodthirs;y hate
And ogre whose dread appetite no sacri.
| flee could safe.
| with wicke ed frCwns he marches forth In
| search of luckless prey.
| All. pity for the though htless wight that
| chances in his way!
| With lust OF slaughter shines his eye, anG
| twitch his knotty hands;
His muscles are as ribs of steel, his thews
| like iron bands.
From ont his cruel throat roar. as Of d
| savage beast,
| Emits he forty times an hour, or thirty
| times at least.
No mercy in his breast there is his love
! of blood To stay:
He butchers for the love of it. and call.
it football play: Detroit News.
| Cool
1t is related Of a certain French gen
| eral. who died recently, that he had 8
| very devoted servant to whom. though
| really kind he was somewhat rough 1!
| his speech. In the Crimean war the gen
| eral was wounded so badly that one o
his legs had to be amputa,ed. and durinl
the operation. which had to be performe,
| without ether. the man. Jean Baptiste
stood by and hOwled while the genera
| submitted quietly.
what are you howling for?' the gen
| eral presently called out.
fOh. my master. ! cannot endure iha
| vow should lose your leg!'
WHO wants you to endure it? Can
| vol see tina you will benefit by it?"
what does monsieur mean"
'Why, you blockhead, you'll have I,
| b1acL cnlv one boOt after thisv'-TOuth'