Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-02-03
COAL MEN HAVE AGREED.
ANTHRACITE PRODUCTION is FIXED
UNTIL JANUARY, 1897.

Compa ared With the Figures of 1894, the
Reading Gets a Slight Increase, Also
the Valley-The ID. s. a. s. Cut Down.
Agents Meet-Prices Up-wages Down.
The all-absorbing topic of interest in
New York financial circles on Thursday
was the adjourned meeting of the presi-
dents OF the eleven great anthracite
mining and carrying companies. 1t
leaked out that the special committee
appointed week ago to revise the fig
ures of production of the respective
companies during 1895 would present a
unanimous report. 1t was recognized
that this fact would simplify the work
in hand, provided the presidents were
sincere in their wishes for readiust-
ment. AT the same time, the report of
the committee was known to be merely
OF an advisory character.
The session was begun with a full
attendance. The committee presented
Its report and great deal of squirm-
was done by the officers of lines unfa-
voraby affected by the figures presented
and considerable controversy arose over
the question of the adoption of the re-
port. Previously the important debate
was on the motion that the committee's
PERCENTAGE figures should be accepted
for fifteen months, dating from Feb
ruary L. vote in the negative was
taken and new motion was made pro-
Viding for the acceptance of the per-
centages from FEBRUARY 1 to July /.
When the meeting adjourned it was
announced that an agreement had been
reached regarding the division of ton
mage between the respective companies.
Thiscompact was not signed, but adopt
ed by votes. 1t went into effect Feb
ruary 1, 1896, and endures until January
l, 1897 After the expiration of this
the agreement will continue operative
subject to the right of any interest on
thirty days notice to challenge revision.
standing committee was appointed,
consisting of President Thomas, of the
Erie; Maxwell, of the New Jersey Cen
tral; Wilbur, of the Lehigh Valley; Har-
rls, of the Reading, and Walters, of the
Delaware, Susquehanna and Schuylkill.
This committee is charged with the ad-
justment of any difficulties that may
arise during the pendency of the agree
ment.
The new percentages, as compared
with the actual shipments OF 1894, follow:
Reading, 20.50 per cent; increase, .04S
per cent.
Lehigh Valley, 1859 per cent; in
crease, .013.
Lackawanna, 14.Oo; decrease LA.
New Jersey Central, 11.71; decrease,
.01.
Pennsylvania Railroad, 11.42; de-
crease, .09.
Delaware and Hudson, 9.65; decrease, |
.05.
Pennsylvania Coal, 4. 12; decrease, .012.
Erie, 4.03; decrease, .O3.
Delaware, Susquehanna and Schuyl-
kill, 3.04; decrease, .O44.
Ontario and Western, 3.31; decrease,
.021.
Susquehanna and Western, $40; in
crease, 1.41.
The Importance of this agreement be-
tween the interests controlling the great
anthracite industry to the public at
large can hardly be overestimated.
In pursuance of their orders the sales
agents met on Friday in New York and
fixed prices for the coming month.
They knocked off prices so cents on
broken and 40 cents on other sizes from
those of the October circular. But as
nobody was selling within 70 or so cents
OF those prices they really advanced the
price 80 and 35 cents over those of the
current week. Following was the rate
agreed upon at tidewater: Broken,
1925; egg, $3.50; stove, $3.75; chestnut,
$3.50. Retail prices were not advanced,
but an advance is expected daily.
The rate of wages to be paid the
miners in the Schuylkill region for the
last half of January and the first half of
February was fixed on Friday by the
committee of Schuylkill Coal Exchange
at per cent below the $3.50 basis.
This is per cent lower than the rate
paid last month. The Lehigh Valley
Company has also reduced the wages of
its miners and laborers at all its col
lieries.
The "World" Sounds "A Warning.
From the New York World.
Under the velvet glove of an agree
ment an iron hand has been laid upon