The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-13
BITUMINOUS PRICES HIGHER.
Winter Weather Has Cleaned Up Sur
plus Supplies of Coal.

CHICAGO Feb 1.-THE Black Diamond Of
fetal organ Of the coal industry reviewing the
Western coal trade tomorrow, will say:
Winter weather throughout the West has
suited In the cleaning up Of all surplus coal in
the principal markets and has stiffened prices
on the leading descriptions Of bituminous coal.
Anthracite is also scarce In the alI-raiI trade
and the supply is apparently not sufficient 70
meet present requirements. This is a result of
railroad transportation conditions and cannot be
attrlbuted TO any interpretation. The situa-
tion at the mines as 20 box cars and the con-
geStlOn at Buffalo are the principal factors in
holding oi back bach shipments of anthracite Move
out Of the Ohio district westward is consdera-
bly restricted as a result of weather conditions
and the inability of railroads TO Landle their
normal tonnage promptly.
FEATURES OF WESTERN ANTHRACITE
TRADE
I'm the Western anthracite trade the princi-
pal active demand is from all-rail territory To
the West and Southwest. also in Michigan and
Ohio. there has been considerable complaint of
insufficient quantities of coal to meet current
requirements At some points these complaints
have been emphasized by the fact that the
stocks and dealers were on the verge of a
famine at times during the past week and the
week BEFORE. In the thumb" of Michigan,
where coal is transported through Canada by
way of Sarnia or Port Huron. there has been a
pronounced shortage, and many consumers have
been obliged TO obtain wood as a substitute for
coal or have used bituminous Goals to tide them
over. The acute situation at that point, no.
doubt, originated in the freight situation at
Buffalo. which has been congested for some
cradle complaint at Ohio points This was due
TO partial interruption of freight traffic over one
OF the leading trunk lines out of Buffalo This
causes, the overflow of river in the vicinity
or Toledo, which interrupted transportation for
five days last week and continued the Interrupt
ton ton the present week for one or two days.
Ohio points on this road in need of coal suffered
as a consequence of the conditions noted
WESTERN SHIPMENTS ARE MUCH
DELAYED.
"In Western territory there has also been
more or less clamor for anthracite This can
be attributed to the slow deliveries of many Of
the Western roads. An instance will suffice to
show general conditions. A carload Of anthra-
cite loaded Jan. 2S in Chicago for Savanna
ILL.,. which is directly west of Chicago had not
reached its destination on Monday of this week
although IL had been out nine days. Many
similar instances can be noted, with the conse-
| quent result that dealers have been clamoring
| for coal and have been trying TO secure 1t by
| every possible means TO meet their present re-
| quirements
Consumption of anthracite throughout the
West the past fortnight has been unusually
heavy. There has been continual cold weather.
and many consumers have been in the market
| for supplies owing to the depletion of stocks
| which they put In store last summer and which
/ at that time IL was though would last through
| the winter. 1t is confidently predicted now that
| fall will be very low by the time navigation
| opens, and this nsures fairly active season
| 1904.
| FEATURES OF THE BITUAIINOUS TRADE.
I'm the bituminous trade at Chicago Hooking
| has been in rather short supply, with prices
advancing; smokeless mine-run has eased off
| slightly splint has been steady. and the better
grades OF Indiana and Illinois domestic Goals
| have held to fairly steady basis