New-York tribune., 1902-01-26
COAL TRADE ABROAD.
NOT MUCH CHANGE IN CONDITIONS IN
GREAT BRITAIN-EXPORT TO
MARSEILLES.

While people are talking of the great prosperity
OF the coal trade in this country with larger out
put and prices better than they were I'm 1901, II Is
interesting 10 note the conditions In the country
nearly rivaing this in the matter OF tonnage. By
the best information at present available 1t does
not appear that Great Britains output last year
much different from that Of 1896, and the
course OF prices not upward. When the first
year Of the century opened prices had already
fallen considerably below the high level which pre-
vailed in September 1900 and fears were expressed
that those times Of depression which follow so
rapidly upon OF great prosperity would be
reached in all their intensity before the year had
run its course. In all the circumstances, the last
year has been regarded satisfactory one Prices
have been characterized by steaduess that has
been remarkable. considering the disocation Of
business caused by the impost on coal and the
reaction from the boom"
IN classes of fuel there a marked
scarcity. The autumn demand for Durham gas
coal was exceedingly active, while the gas coal
owners OF Lancashire and the Midlands found
ready customers fairly remunerative prices not
outstanding that complaints 10 underwriting
more frequent than usual. The course of the
steam coal trade was followed with than
usual interest being that most directly affected
by the export duty. BY the end of November the
the total for the corresponding period OF l9O0 about
half OF which decrease occurred in the case or
steam coal trade-Newcastle and Cardiff-the VOL
ume of exports has INCREASED; and prices OF best
Northumberland and South Welsh steams We're
firm throug hout the year The cost of production
had much to do with the comparatively high figure
which manufacturing fuel could be obtained in
some districts. and this Unfortuna tely came at a
time when iron and steel manufactures were ham
pered In other directions
In the early months Of the year the wages OF
South Wales miners reached a point 1874 per cent
above the staudard-higher than was reached
before LHtte-y seVeral SInalI TeuuC onS nave Dseh
made. but their wages still stand at high level The
reductions have been greatest IN scotland ana an IN
dependent arbitrator had twice 10 be requlstioned
before the wages in that district could be adjusted
The fact that with wages still so high comparatively
miners
the minimum wage question portends troub-
lous times for the trade in the course OF the pres
ent year. notable feature or the year has been
the poor rates ruling for freight. which have now
reached an exceedingly low point. This has un-
doubtedly been due to the liberation and return OF
many transports 10 the trade.
The South Wales coal exporters have addressed
the Chancellor of the Exchequer stating that for
eign bIvers will not make contracts on terms lcay-
Chancellor that contracts be made providing that
is therefore impracticable. The exporters declare
that the effect Of this suggestion has been to
paralyze sales for future delivery. and urge him
publicly 10 declare that any increase in the duty
will be subject 10 exemption far sales already
The statement comes from MarseiIes that this
country has sold lA,7S tons Of American coal in
tons OF British coal The principal companies
using II the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship
Company, the British Incia Steam Navigation Com
pany, the nippon hushen AaiSha steamship COM
pany and the Messa geries Maritimes Steamship
Company. They have all declared themselves very
well satisfied with the quality or the fuel At pres
advices Newcastle coal is offered at lis Sd at
Genoa with gas coal at lss Sd. All the above prices
include one shilling government tax. freights are
low running from As Sd to 5s Sd from the English
shores to Italian ports west coast
From American ports. owing TO the low level OF
veoped 10 the West Indies and there number
OF orders s in the 9arket mark There is sti little de
are now being effected for the Mediterranean based
eight shillings freight.