The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-15

The September letter of the Anthra-
cite Coal Operators Association says:
THE condition. of the market during
August differed little from that Of July.
The movement at tide was slow, ana
the new price circular adhered to with
fair consistency. The unwise action OF
some companies in continuing the ship
ments of coal ordered prior to July 1st.
or at prices then ruling, threatened for
a time to destroy the confidence Of buy
ers, but the firm stand taken by some
of the largest interests tided over this
period and has enabled the various
companies to adhere to their new prices
for September sales and deliveries.
The Western situation is still SER
ious. Between labor disturbances, alb
noramlly high freight rates, and the
comparative scarcity of vessels, anth-
racitc shipments to both Chicago and
Duluth are less than last year, and I'M
less a marked improvement shows
within the next few weeks, the total
/ deliveries at the close of the season
will be much below the anticipated
/ needs for consumption. Even cars for
shipment by rail are obtained with diff
ficulty. Prices have advanced in con-
sequence, but this VIII be OF little bene-
fit to the companies IL the amount
which can go forward is further re-
Stricted.
Viewed from all points it is evident
| that the market is in an exceptionally
strong position. Even with the unusual
tonnage moved to September 1st, a
total OF 90, ,145,O OOo tons, 5,392 oOc tons
more than in 1898 and one million more
| than in 1895, there Is not at any point
a dangerous quantity held in storage
nor is any part Of the market. with
the possible exception Of Boston and
| the immediate vicinity, carrying more
than fair average stock to meet its
| current demand. Further, the compan-
les have not as yet, found it possible
TO send enough coal to their outside
| storage points to feel safe against an
unusual demand.
AUGUST USUALLY DULL.
The past month and early part OF
| September are usually dull, as regards
| the movement Of coal, so it is fair to
| conclude that. if there has already been
| any difficulty in moving the tonnage,
! this will become far more serious where
the active demand of the latter part Of
| this month begins. There is indeed,
! good reason for concluding that the
consumption during the balance of this
year will be restricted only by the abil-
! itS Of the transporters TO secure and
move the fuel.
The past month has shown no
! change in the relative positions of the
| individual operators and the transport
| ing interests. Indeed, it was hardly to
! be expected that there would .'e any
thing of consequence during this pc
riod, since most of those who nave
these matters under consideration have
been absent on their vacations.
But September brings the summer
rest to a close and begins the impur-
tant fall business, so it is to he e:;-
pected. indeed, is necessary, that
some definite determination should he
reached before it's close. The opera
tors, while realizing the benefits of the
exceptional market which now exists
for coal, appreciate that this is alb
normal and also that it is the result Of
the general industrial and commercial
| BOOM and not in any way due to
| unusual foresight or ability on the
part of the carrying companies. # any
credit is due the latter, it is for not
| attempting to retard the progress or
! destroy its possibilities as to securing
! more remunerative prices for the prod
uct. But these unusual conditions will
not be permanent and it is essential
| that, before there comes a reaction, a
definite settlement should be reached
| as to the future disposition OF the coal
mined by the individual operators.
above all, il is desirable that the
| agreement which will be reached
should be one conceived and carried
out in such a spirit of fairness that the
relations OF all will be harmonious. 1t
appears that the transporters have nu-
| merous difficulties constantly arising
between themselves and If, beside
these, they should become involved in
domestic trouble with the operators
along their lines the result would be.
with the first moment Of depression in
the trade, a quick return to the cha
otic condition which made last year
and others which preceded it, so eX-
tremely Improbable.
There has been little change in
general trade conditions. Some in
terests took the chance Of breaking
prices by shipping August coal on eN-
tended or unfultilled contracts at June
prices, but the effect of this has, hap
PLY, disappeared and at this time
prices are strong on the basis of the
last circular, though the movement Of
coal is slow.
Labor conditions at the mines have
not developed into anything snri 0us
during the past month. An unfortunate
difficulty at one Of the collieriCs led tc
the use of firearms and several men
were seriously injured, but apart from
this, there has been no resort to vio-
lcnce nor anything looking toward the
renewal of such unfortunate conditions
as existed at Lattiner last year.
SEPTEMBER A CRITERION.
September is one Of the important
months of the year for shippers since
the amount Of coal moved may usually
be taken as a fair indication of the
movement to market during the re-
naming months Of the winter Almos,
without exception railroad officials an
large shippers, not only in the anthra,
cite, but in the bituminous region as
well, are disturbed in mind as to from
where they are going to secure suhci-
ent cars to enable them 10 meet the
demand which they believe will be
made upon them.