New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-01
A BIG GAIN FOR SOFT COAL.
FRUITS OF THE ANTHRACITE STRIKE
LIKELY TO BE LASTING.
LACK OF TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
NOW HURTING THE MARKET-LITTLE
ANTHRACITE COMING IN.

one of the interesting results of the coal strike
will be the effect on the demand for and price of
soft coal. Each previous strike has shown a
slight permanent gain for soft coal in the
amount used for domestic and steam purposes.
1t is less subject to change. less "touchy," than
anthracite 1t is not in the hands of so few
men. The wholesale handlers of soft coal in this
city agree in thinking that the strike just past
marks one more advance which will be held.
One reason is that means for mixing anthracite
and bituminous in such way that little or no
smoke results are constantly being improved.
The mixture for ordinary grades of soft coal is
two and half to three of anthracite to one OF
bituminous. Better facilities of firing also
being found out. And lastly. various devices
are being worked out Cor consuming smoke.
The result of II all is that dealers think that
enforcement of the smoke ordinance will have
little or no effect the demand for soft coal.
striking proof that the dealers regard this
gain of soft coal a permanent thing is the
fact learned by a Tribune reporter yesterday,
that the wholesalers are quietly arranging
fixed price for next year. which will be greatly
in advance Of any former normal price. 1t is to
he placed between So and So %. ION bOard,'
the technical term of delivery is. Certain of
the steam carrying lines have already agreed on
So 20. alongside" next years price
At present there s practically soft coal
coming to market. the roads devoting
themselves to anthracite. The supply of btu
minour> is large. and the people ready to
take it. but the transportation facilities from
Maryland. Virginia and Pennsylvania are poor.
There are two factors in coal transportation at
this time-a lack Of motive power. there being an
insufficient number OF locomotives on many of
the roads. and dearth of cars to handle the
supply. The lack of motive power delays the
coal in arriving, but does not affect the amount
of final delivery. The lack of freighting cars
limits the total amount Of delivery. The lack
OF motive power Is the great problem at pres
ent for the railroads. The Baltimore and Ohio
has recently placed an order for two hundred
locomotives. The uniform rate for renting for
eign' freight cars, that is, cars belonging 10 a
rival line. is 20 cents a day. This precIudes one
company getting much assistance from another
The Central Railroad of New-Jersey, has many
cars lying idle in its yards, but other companies
are not attempting to make use of them.
The situation yesterday. then. was: Plenty
OF bltumlnous but no adequate facilities for
transporting it. and little no anthracite to
be brought in because this week has been and
continues to be equivalent to a strike week
owing TO John Mitchell Day and holy day to-
day among the Poles.
The price OF soft coal wholesale IS from 50
and - % up to almost 50 30. This Is rather
high, but it is expected that it will remain
steady for some time to come
The theoretical price of anthracite is So 30 re-
tail. the wholesale price OF 81 holding for the
present. But for a person not a regular ems
toner TO obtain immediate delivery of anthra-
cite 81 % was required. Even at that little or
no coal was obtainable
The sales agent of the Central Railroad Of
New-Jersey said yesterday to a Tribune re-
porter that there would be an abundance ~
anthracite by November II.
The steamship SarpedOn brought 400 tons
of WEIGH coal yesterday from Cardiff
All the coal being rushed in from the Penn
savanna mines is for domestic use. The delivery
OF coal for steam purposes is not being attempt
ed as yet