The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-15
WESTERN COAL TRADE.
Influence OF Transportation Condi-
tions is Feared Somewhat.

CHICAGO, Aug. 1.-THE Black Diamond,
reviewing the Western coal trade. to-mor-
row will say:
The question of transportation seems to
he uppermost i'm the minds OF many coal
shippers at this time. During the past
securing cars, and i'm some instances mines
have been obliged TO shut down I'm Indiana
and Illinois. owing TO the shortage OF cars
or the congestion along the lines OF road
reaching some OF the principal mining cen-
ters. But conditions I'm the West have not
been nearly as bad as from points I'm Ohio,
West Virginia and western pennsylvania,
where the mines in quite a number of in
stances are working only half time. The
car shortage is having no Immediate effect.
other than 10 lead shippers 10 give more
careful attention to the future and 10 take
careful cognizance or everything which 10
likely 10 have a bearing on the transport
tation problem from the early part Of Octo-
Der TIL the end or March. In some quar-
tiers IL is felt that as much difficulty will
be experienced in getting coal forward the
coming winter as was experienced a year
ago, while in others IL is said railroads lave
promised, and have taken steps TO keep
that promise, that there would be an inn
proved service. Transportation will have
more or less of an influence on prices from
this time forward, and when there are de-
lays in movement or shippers are embar-
coed on certain lines, thus creating a tenn
porary scarcity of coal. il Is probable that
values will show a stronger tone while
these conditions last.
In the anthracite trade, reports are al
most unanimous that the dullest season OF
the year Is at hand and that demand. both
from shippers and retailers of coal will be
light during the next three or four weeks.
Shippers are urging retailers TO take larger
supplies of coal, and are also urging them
to use their influence TO secure orders from
consumers for immediate delivery. fearing
that IL all the remaining business is
crowded into the last few months OF the
year difficulties may be encountered i'm tho
movement OF coal which will seriously
handicap householders in getting a supply
when they require ii.
tons has been felt to a greater extent in
the bituminous branch OF the industry than
in the anthracite. Reports from the Pitts
burg fields have not been reassuring as to a
supply OF cars, and, according to the press
dispatches, many of the mines have been
down half the time during the past week
and a half, caused by the lack of cars and
motive power. 1t is said that the larger
corporations have suffered some reduction
of tonnage on this account and that there
has been a falling off i'm tonnage moving To
the head of the lakes. The difficulties which
have been frequently referred TO in this
column out of the West Virginia region
continue. Transportation is extremely
variable, and in quite a few instances oper-
ators nave only been enabled To work on
half time, owing TO a lack of cars, and,
after the cars were loaded, a lack OF motive
power TO move them. There is very little
hope of any Improvement out Of that field
at the DreSeut time"