The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-27
THE WEEKS COAL TRADE.



official org-l of the coal industry, reviewing
the Western coal trade tomorrow. will say:
1.-The delays IN transportation. a shortage of
spot coal at terminal points and steady de-
mand at normal prices the features of the
Western coal trade this week. Bituminous Goals
Of nearly all descriptions In short supply at
the leading market centeTs, while prices are
little higher than they were week ago. Trans
portation is seriously interrupted and there
is much coal waiting on switches and sidetracks
for through movement to destination Produc-
ton in nearly all the leading fields is about
normal the only curtailment OF any importance
being where there is shortage of cars at the
mines. Anthracite prices hold steady and while
the demand for coal for immediate shipment has
been curtailed to slight extent owing to the
milder weather in the Western States, generally
speaking shipping agents have more orders than
they can fill promptly
INTEREST CENTERs IN APPROACHING
CONVENTION.
Interest on the part of all interested in any
way in the coal trade centers very largely upon
a resumption of a meeting of the interstate joint
convention at Indianapolis next Monday. Senti-
ment as to the outcome OF the meeting is wide
ly divergent and any attempt to predict what
will be done at that time would be difficult.
Eastern interests seem to take stronger view
than that If a reduction is not granted
in the mining rate by the miners organization
there will be supension. Illinois operators
are more hopeful that there will be wage
settlement at the approaching convention than
are those farther East. but one is antici-
pating TO great extent action that Will be
Chicago there is more urgency for a reduc-
ton in the mining rate to-day than there has
been at any time heretofore. 1t is reported that
Paramount three-quarter coal has recently been
sold on locomotive fueling contracts on the basis
Shs 80 cents and per ohep terminal points
coal is being sold at low price and altogether
ne on ne bS contract Is
due 10 the continued restlessness Of the union
miners there is feeling in most Of the ter
rffn p1Ylde in he I
trict that suspension is inevitable in at least
part of the States If not in all of them.
WESTWARD MOVEMENT OF ANTHRACITE
RETARDED
THE generalization of Eastern transporta-
ton lines from Buffalo and the anthracite region
to Chicago and Western territory is holding up
shipments of anthracite coal 1t is reported that
the Wabash Railroad has enlarged everything
out of Buffalo and is taking practically coal
from that point. other trunk lines have been
very slow in making deliveries and their lines
are badly congested. Coal which comes through
in three or four weeks from the mines is con-
sidered making good time under these circum-
/ stances This is naturally creating a shortage
| of aIl-rail coal for Western delivery and the
situation is further complicated by the fact
that dock interests are unable to secure cars
| promptly for loading purposes in shipping coal
/ on hand. Most all of the dock shippers have
accumulated some orders for this reason and
situation under the circumstances progress is
The mild weather the early part of the week
resulted I'm a slight diminution of new business
| coming forward. This is furnishing necessary
| relief in quarters and until shippers have
fully caught up with their orders they will not
/ be sorry that IL exists. From this time forward
new business Will be confined largely TO small
| lots Dealers are not likely to overload with
| coal with the approach of April l. when prices
| will be again reduced to the minimum basis.
| but will endeavor to keep stock to point low
possible.
TRANSPORTATION A FEATURE IN BITUMI-
/ NOUS TRADE.
I'm the bituminous trade transportation is as
/ much a feature Of the situation as are any
other conditions. Deliveries from Western
! Pennsylvania Ohio and Indiana points very
] slow while some delays are experienced in the
movement and car supply at some of the leading
/ producing points Illinois. out of the Hook
! ing district there have been some serious DELAYS
/ I'M the movement of coal In the vicinity OF
! Toledo the early part of the week il reported
! that several hundred cars were frozen in the
| ice. owing a river overlooking the tracks and
/ later cold weather which frOZe this water In
/ some instances the ice is up TO the body of the
| car and while attempts have been made TO move
| this coal they have only resulted in pulling out
I the draw-b bars of the cars. When this and otneI
/ CARROTS delayed in transit begin 10 reach mar
/ ket prices will probably show slump. On the
| other hand il is also reported that some OF the
| Ohio lines fearing a strike in that and the Penn
/ Sylvania fields stocking coal TO meet future
! requirements. This report has not been con
| frmed from authoritative sources. but seems
that receipts nave been very light from that field
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