New-York tribune., 1911-01-02
COAL TRADE IN 1910
Heaviest Tonnage Production in
History of the Industry.

In 1910 the coal tonnage production in
the United States was the heaviest in the
history Of the coal trade in this country
THE Coal Trade Journal" says that while
no accurate summary OF production can
be made at this time, It seems safe to as
sumo that the 1910 coal tonnage Of the
United States, for tho first time In our his-
tory. approached 100000 tons OF this
about SO00O,OOo net tons will represent the
anthracite output-shipments as we'll as
fuel for mine use--and 42o 10000, or there
abouts, will represent the bituminous trade,
an increase OF, say, 100000 tons over the
output OF 1909. The anthracite tonnage nat
urally increases rather slowly, but btu
minous keeps up its record of doubling every
decade.
The anthracite trade was not particular
ly productive Of news Of any large meas
ure OF interest during the year. The most
notable feature of the year was probably
the increase in the price Of chestnut and
Of three Of the steam sizes. The higher
price fixed for chestnut constituted the
first change in the circular since 1902, and
the increase in the steam sizes is a matter
OF Importance by reason of the proportion
ate gain that 1t represents, as we'll as indl-
eating the growing value of hard COAL The
summer season was characterized by dull
ness in the matter OF distribution to the
actual consumer, and this led to much COM
fl,a for
the falling off in summer business. 1t
developed that the change in summer trade
involved many factors of Importance,
changing features OF domestic life and
what one might term social economy as
well as the fact. as it has often proved
to be the case, that through the generous
terms made by retail dealers, buyers could
obtain their coal as cheapy in the winter
as in tho summer. To all those who based
pessimistic forecasts upon the quiet condi-
ton OF the hard coal trade during the sum-
mer the business activities OF the fall and
early winter proved a very effective an
swer for II was demonstrated beyond doubt
that the country's requirements Of hard
coal are practically fixed, and It must be
had in one month If not in another.
In speaking Of the bituminous trade
"The Coal Trade Journal" says:
while our comment in regard to the
bituminous trade at large must of necessity
indicate rather meager results as the return
Of the industry, the fact must not be over
looked that many of the operators in this
line have Jared very well, and IT is much
TO the point to allude to them in this man.
ner, as an evidence of what can be accom-
plshed by other producers. The man who
establishes a wide reputation for a first
class coal, who sends out his tonnage we'll
prepared endeavors to meet all obligations
with strict regard 10 business methods
who has the assurance, knowing his costs
and possible future markets, to decline dis
advantageous offers, is sure TO build up a
good line OF trade and prosper when other
concerns arc doing little or perchance are
shipping tonnage at a loss. So while the
keynote Of the trade during the last year
must necessarily be a large tonnage at a
low price, it is equally evident that many
bitumnous producers have Jared as well as
could be expected in a competitive busi-
ness, and the reason simply is that the
guiding principles OF good business have
been their criterion"