New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-25
COAL TRADE CONDITIONS.
Operators Preparing for the Expected
Struggle-Big Reserves in Hand

Chicago. Feb. 24-'The Black Diamond official
newspaper Of the coal industry, reviewing Western
trade conditions. says:
Mid weather in the west-in fact. the HildesJ Of
the winter-has had an influence coal market
conditions this week, and demand for the domestic
grades Of coal is rather quiet and stless. nOtwith
only 4 little d month distant Demand for
has not been 43enced to any extent by weather
conditions Practically every large railroad system
q period Of from two 10 three months in anticpa-
lion OF a suspension OF that length OF time. Inch
end-a quarter coal in the Chicago market continues
on about the same basis as last week. Run-Of-
reached point regarded as the highest Tor some
time Some domestic lump and egg coal from
ness. owing TO the slack demand for domestic re
cuiTenents and generally Is taking the same price
road system in particular is taking all Of this grade
industries are taking IN reserve supply Of coal for
future emergencies, and generally buying is in
Eastern Goals continue more or less Of iistless
Dess' 80 lar - 1G5ee Is cchceiReo plt ne ton
not as large as formerly indicating that production
IS being closely confined 10 steam grades TO apply
on railroad and industrial business.
There are no new features 70 the strike situa-
be suspension OF April in al the union bitumi-
nous mines OF the country. At no point are the
70 secure a settlement this time and II the lat
q Joint conference in the central conlpettive dis
Irlct there would be no great eagerness on the
part Of the operators 10 avail themselves Of such
an opportunity 10 reach a settlement. 1t is felt by
some q the coal operators that the miners forced
the Crisis accordingly the former advised their Gus
toners 70 stock up with coal in anticipation Of a
those consumers who accepted this advice 10 hold
another conference which would interrupt ths
without adequate reserve supplies April l. The
2PTs are unit that they gan n{ pay more
willing TO renew the contract on the present basis
there is no POSSIBILITY OF any further NEGOTIATIONS
The Illinois miners are holding their annual con-
vention this week and theiT officers have given out
statements 10 the public which indicate that they
5 a6 I0T g thew IN R6 56 6f s tTe %
they were in the wrong until after there had been
T7avered an Instant from their adherence TO the
policy outlined at Indianapolis. and are more in
time, It IS evident that there is possibility by
bity the miners Of Illinois reflected the sentiment
thar exists among those in adjoining States when
they went out OF their way to declare for strike.
Production at the mines Is keeping UP better than
was expected The only complaint on the part Of
operating companies in the Central West is Of the
lack Of q, discipline which prevails at mines where
dicgIes itself IN the manner in which the miners
clean the coal They load everything now that is
prevent them from doing this Without bringns on 20
local strike Operators feel that the coming strug-
TO produce every ton OF coal available before the
may have as large a reserve supply as possible In
connection with the. production there is consider
much oosl being crowded forward a at present
at the mines. As yet It has not reached serious
]
III their storage bins they will IN some Instances
their own equipment for storage and cars rpay
be short from The middle TIL the latter part Of
March.
IN The Western anthracite trade the sentiment is
growing that the probability OF a settlement OF
wage Conditions IN the producing region is not as
favorable as the newspaper dispatches from the
East have Indicated Some private letters have
MES and from those closely associated with them
which indicate absolutely that the operators al
this time are not prepared TO grant any conces-
sions beyond those granted the miners under the
pothess that the operators VIII adhere TO the an
throcite award as their platform throughout the
negotiations ana that the miners VIII not secure
recognition OF the union, the eight-hour workday
or the cfreck-oH system The leader Of the miners
organization has been instrumental IN giving the
impression that he would secure settlement but
been trife optimistic
The operators in the anthracite region are 2ot
inclined 10 act preuaturely In the matter. When
the riers committee has formulated the demands
Gus consideration by the operators and the arg1I-
unents n favor Of them VIII be listened TO atten-
lively and thoroughly weighed II the miners should
prove their concessions will be made but in
mission Il Is not likely they VIII be able furnish
substantial proof that further concessions should
be made them Whatever may he done by the
anthracite interests there Is little likelihood
acton being taken prematurely. After the MIXERS
submit tlrer demands II may be possible that the
operators viii take thirty days in which TO consider
them fully. and their answer VIII be given on or
about April !. AL OF this is more or less specula-
miners committee.
TO ADMINISTER HoRNER ESTATE.
Riv-rhead. Long Island. Feb. A-surrogHte Bel
ford to-day issued letters OF administration the
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