The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-07

During the past month there has
been a fair degree of activity in the
anthracite coal market, owing to the
few days of cold weather." says the
January letter of the Anthracite Coal
Operators association. THE move
ment has been simply for immediate
demand, as few of the retail dealers
were carrying sufficient stock to enable
them to meet even temporary pres
sure for deliveries. Owing to the rela-
lively small stocks being carried at
tide by the companies, and the pres
sure in the transportation and delivery
of other merchandise, rush orders for
Immediate shipment were not filled so
promptly as was anticipated and there
was the usual rumor of shortage in
the supply. Put this has not affected
prices, which have remained practical
ly the same throughout the month
1.-THE conditions at the close of the
month are wholly unsatisfactory. While
there is some talk of an advance in
prices in January, everyone admits
that if anything OF this kind is at
tempted it's results will appear on pa
per alone and have no effect upon sales
in the market. Indeed, it is unques-
tionable whether any action which,
might be taken, even that of radically
reducing the output, would have any
effect upon prices until after the spring
months have been passed. While the
market cannot be said to be demoral-
ized, it is thoroughly disorganized and
whatever effort is made to bring it into
shape will be slow in accomplishment.
CANNOT BE FORETOLD.
"What will be the outcome of the
whispered plans for the better adjust
ment OF these matters cannot be fore
told. Thus far they are no more tangi-
BILE than were those of last year and,
unless they develop into something
which is unquestionaoly stable, they
can safely be disregarded. 1t is true
that the various interests realize far
more clearly than ever before the ur-
gent need of some controlling plan, but
there has been no revision in either the
scale of confidence which each interest
has in the other, or in the total alb
sence of all confidence in one particu-
lar interest, and until these things are
changed no plan, method or arrange
ment as to tonnage and prices will be
permanent.
Of serious disappointment to the an
thracite producers. At it's commence
nent there We're good reasons for be-
lievirg that the various interests ,Huld
make a consistent and continuous eff
fort to regain some Of the ground lost
! in previous years, and place the indus
try in a position which, if not actually
profitable, would be a substantial be-
ginning for a permanent and prosper
Gus growth. Throughout the early
months of the year, when the consump-
tion was unusually light and prices
low, there were constant assurances as
| to what was TO be done, and so great
was the desire to see the trade placed
| on solid basis, that In spite of the
memory of many previous, and unful-
filed promises, there was a general
feeling of almost belief that then, at
last, something would actually occur.
RESULT NOT SATISFACTORY.
''In spite of the losses and disappoint-
| ments caused by the small and uncer-
| tain volume of business, there was
hope that, once these plans We're ma
tured, the fall trade and that of the
| future would be sufficiently satisfac-
tory to justify everything which had
been done to bring it about. But. af-
ter six months Of patient CESSATION and
painful labor, the result was an abor-
ZION. The course followed in July eff
fectually ended all belief in, or hope
for, an improvement, since, through
III action of only one interest, the mar
| ket was demoraliZed beyond hope of
recovery during the remainder of the
year. The most careful study of the
situation failed to reveal any adequate
reason for such conduct, but the results
arrived promptly and have since been
| in painful and constant evidence Un-
til July. prices We're improving slightly
and the tone of the market growing
stronger. but in that month there be-
gan a decline which has continued
steadily, downward.
"As yet, the various mining inter-
ests have not felt the full force of this
condition. Low prices in the fall