The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-07

Reduction Of Price of Anthracite -
Not FeasabIe Even 10 Secure II
Nidor Market.
In reference to the DISPOSITION of
small sizes of anthracite, the April let
ter of the Anthracite Coal Operators
association says:
"In the several articles On TINS SUD-
feet which have appeared in the Letter
there have been pointed out the many
reasons why It would be to the mutual
advantage of the transporters and on
orators to have these sizes, buckwheat
and smaller separated entirely from
the larger domestic sizes in the distri-
button of cars to the breakers. Taking,
for an instance under the present ar
rangement the estimated kpnnaSe of
April: From the reports of large
number Of colieries, it has been ascer-
tained that while the proportion OF
such sizes produced in the year iD some
Is per cent. of the entire output, the
shipments during a month of small
tonnage do not exceed j. per cent. OF
the production, while in VI month like
October. 1897, nearly Is per cent. will
be marketed. In other words while
921 800 tons We're thrown on the mar
ket in October there will be only some
100000 tons in April.
Necessarily, in marketing the Oc-
tober production of these sizes. a de-
mand was created for more than the
normal consumption, since there are no
adequate facilities for storing any con-
siderable quantity of this coal. Now,
in April the production will be far be-
tt., with
no surplus to draw upon, the demand
cannot be filled.
WHY THERE Is \ DIFFERENCE.
"As to the reason why there is such
a wide difference in the shipments of
the two months, it does not require an
abstruse calculation to show that,when
p limited number of cars are furnished
to a breaker, it is more profitable to
load these with sizes which net two
dollars, than with those which bring
from fifteen to forty cents, and require
extra labor to prepare cars to receive
them. 1t is much cheaper to use such
coal as fuel, or to stock it, hoping for
a time when there will be sufficient
cars to Justify loading it.
Again, in the matter of an increase
of buckwheat and smaller from the
DItdheES, MANY operators nave stated
that it would not be possible for them
TO secure a larger quantity than at
present. This is, of course, based on
the price these sizes now return, but if
this was increased to a satisfactory
figure, there is little doubt but that
from 40 to 80 per cent. more could be
shipped. At present, slate pickers coal,
much small stuff, and all of the dust
is thrown away at many breakers. 1t
is more expensive to save and burn it
:, for steam than to use buckwheat No. 2
4 and rice. but with the price increased.
this waste could, and would. be used
for steam, and the more valuable steam
sizes would be marketed
1T must be evident that when q
market can be secured each fall for
the very large production of these small
sizes, it is capable of sufficient expan-
sion to absorb any increase which
would come from the breakers or
washeries, especially if the regularity
of the supply were guaranteed. This
being true the transportation compa-
nies would receive material benefits
from the increased tonnage.
GENERALLY RECOGNIZED.
These facts are generally recognized,
committing themselves by taking the
initiative, not one of the transporters
has been willing to make the first step
to correct the trouble, which is daily
growing worse. 1t is admitted that
something should be done, and al once,
but that has been the limit of action
1T is hoped that the efforts which
the association has been, and is now,
making, may meet with more than the
passive assent of the transporters,
since what is asked is even more TO
their direct interest than to that of the
individual operator. The transporters
will receive the benefits of all of the in
creased tonnage over their lines, and
also of any enhancement in the value
of thei" seventy per cent of the entire
production"
With reference to the price of anthra-
cite, the letter has the following:
1T is argued by some that the price
of anthracite should not at any time
be less than at present, and by others
that If the price is reduced a wider
market will be obtainabe. In this, one
matter must not be lost sight OF, that
whatever reduction there may be in
price to secure a wider market, and in
view of the strong competition now
felt, this might be desirabl the re-
duction must come in freight rates
land royalties, and the retailing costs
1T is impossible to further reduce
the actual cost Of mining. This is
shown annually by the large compa-
nies, who either finish the year with a
deficit in their coal departments. ol
barely meet their expenses. TO reduce
the cost of mining five cents a tor
would be marvellous acCOmDlisbmant
but the selling price would have TO be
reduced very considerably to secure
any material results i'm increasing the
demand. A lower price, and il NAV
have to come, will mean lower roval.
ties, lower freight rates and an entire
change in the methods Of delivering tc
the consumers"
USE OF ANTHRACITE BY NAVY