The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-13

The cold wave Of the last few DAYS
has had q good effect on the anthracite
coal trade. There is an exceptionally
brisk demand for anthracite at all
coal centres. A meeting of the gem
eral coal sales agents has been
called for the purpose Of agreeing
upon the production of the present
year, and 1t is likely that the output
will be reduced, and the system which
has been in vogue for the past two
months win be done away with and
more restrictions ordered.
Just what the future of the anthra-
cite coal business will be no one seems
to be able to say at this time. That a
revolution in it's management will be
wrought during the next two years is
certain. Men of great wealth and un-
told resources have had their atten-
tion attracted strongly to the coal
fields durirg the last few years and
their money is flowing into the coal
fields. They will soon be in a position
to definitely proclaim their plans,
Thus far shrewd guessing on the part
of those i'm close touch with the coal
trade is all that has reached the pub
lie.
THE OPERATORS VIEW.
There has been little change in
market conditions during January"
says the February letter of the An
thracite Coal Operators association.
Each few days Of coIu weather
brought in orders to hasten shipments.
and when these passed, the demand
relaxed. So far as consumption was
concerned, it has been a weather mar
ket, similar in all respects to past
months, and showing that the dealers
have not sufficient confidence in the
stability of prices to carry in stock
more than enough to fill their current
demand. Prices have been fairly
steady. though low. In the East,
prices soften little toward the close
of the month, but in the West and at
some Northern points there has been
a temporary scarcity of certain sizes,
owing to the Unexpectedly heavy de-
mand during the cold spell in Decem-
Der, and prices have been firmer and
in some cases advanced.
I'm the tide market no change can
be expected other than a temporary
movement caused by the weather. This
might possibly result in scarcity of
some sizes and consequently higher
prices. While it is generally expected
that an effort will be made to mater
tally strengthen prices during the COM
ing months there is no certainty that
this will be done. 1t involves the con-
summation of plans which have long
been talked of. Whether any tangible
results will be evolved this time re-
mains to be seen. In any event, the
usual quantity of coal has been sold
for future delivery, and an advance
in price would have relatively little
effect on the market for some months
to come"
FEELING OF CONFIDENCE.
"A feeling of confidence pervades
the anthracite coal trade regarding
the outlook" is the way the Engineer
ing and Mining Journal of Saturday
expresses it. predictions are freely
made that the consumption will be the
heaviest for several years and that
the year is going to be good one
Certainly it has started well. Ths
January production was in round
numbers 100000 tons, or 100000 tons
more than in 1898. The amount is de.
Cidedly larger than was expected, yet
thanks to the weather, stocks have
not accumulated.
THE present cold snap is finishing
many supplies of coal laid in las
fall, and buying during the latter hall
of this month, and March should be
unusually active.
Talks of agreements and 'pacify
ing the Independent operators Contin
ues. The fact that some of the com
panies are working less than full timt
is used as an argument on Wall stree