The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-25
THINKS BUYERS GET
COAL TOO CHEAPLY
+. T.. Saward Advises Opera
tors 10 Mark Up Prices to
Give Them Profit.
EXPECTS BETTER TRADE
n, rnEpERuCK r.. sAwARD.

The uplin in commercial and indus
trial conditions proceeds at q moderate
pace and one may say that there is
something Of a cheerful note in the sit
uation which liz doubtless impaired by
the propitious days Of spring. They are
of such a character AZ to make one feel
that there must he u hetterment Of con
ditions which will impart solidity to the
whole fabric. Conservatism is perhaps
the keynote Of tire present day situs-
ton when one gets away from certain
facts which are better left behind by the
business man. for too often these are
most undesirable factors. The main
spring OF the business situation in our
country is that which tends to the en-
ployment Of the people at one pursuit
or another. 40 that In its turn those
engaged in each branch Of industry feel
encouraged when the amount OF their
/ cash receipts is something over and be-
You'd their expenditures.
Under the conditions stated above u
is not surprising that the movement IN
btuminous coal rests upon 40 even A
! keel as at present In so many quarters.
: II seems to he very much the situation
that this grade OF coal Is sold At a price
too near cost and charges, and this
condition In arrived at by reason OF sur
plus In supply which gives the consumer
the advantage In many Of the coal
producing districts of the central states
this unfortunate situation liz more mo-
ticeable than elsewhere because of the
localized markets. as one might say, ana
tire stocks on hand at certain points be-
cause Of the mildneSs of the past winter
In othef districts there seems TO be a
better hold on the tonnage shipment
side OF the affair. and while prices are
to our mind In no degree az they should
he. there is not so much depression
when one comes to tire trade which sup
plies the Eastern markets there IL per-
haps A little better feeling In regard tc
values and there In not so much tonnage
being offered While this makes shorter
work at the mines. II Is better conii'
ton for the coal owner. One OF the bes
features In regard to this part OF tins
htuminous coal trade is that the ma
jority Of operators are not closing uT
too much Of their probable output a
last years contract prices. because they
expect and we naturally think so. tina
six months hence there will he bette
industrial condition, calling Tor
heavier supply of tonnage.
Consumers have had the advantag
in the bituminous coal trade altogethe
for too long a period of time and !
would be wise for operators To accumu
Late little more backbone to mar
up prices to something which woul
yield a profit. putting this business 81
| "A basis such a. II deserves.
| Production Of anthracite IL going %
pretty steadily at the mines and ton
mage is being forwarded to the yard
of dealers in good shape. beyond per
adventure a good thing for the sam
retailer that this Is SO. for here We hav
the lowest prices of the coal year
} the distribution of this coal there liz &C
tivity on all the initial roads and ais
at the loading ports. When 1t come
| to distribution to the consuming inter
, ests the movement on the domestic size
is fair. while that on the steam raisin
or Junior sizes of anthracite keeps u
to the best proportion.
1t Is along this line of trade partict
larry that one expects commendah|
growth in the demand for wherever stol
0 age facilities can be had II is n wise pre-
caution to lay up and keep well stoke
, with tonnage for steam raising.
Interesting point in regard to any 20:
Sible expansion in the fall of this yea
OF shipments Of anthracite is what migl
be called natural restriction. At III
present time and perhaps for fe
months plenty Of cars are available b'
cause merchandise shipments and bitl
minous shipments are not any too grea
q When they do start up there will M
be chance for any extra anthraCi
. tonnage movement. In all branches
{ the coal trade there is OF course II
!, anxiety as to what will occur in Il
= first three months of 1916 in the way
Z activity in sales and shipments. TT
3 reason for this is the fact that {
II April | of that year both wage agre
i ments expire and a very interesting sit
alton tn the dealer and consumer ma
e he opened up AT that time and date.