COAL - Clpdigital.org

._ RADE BULLETIN.
Vol. XIII. PITTSBTJKGH, PA., JUNE 1, 1905. No. 1.
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN:
PUBLISHED TWICE A MONTH.
Copyrighted by THE COAL TRADE COMPANY, 1905.
A. R. HAMILTON, Proprietor and Publisher,
H. J. STBAUB, Managing Editor.
SUBSCRIPTION, - - $2.00 A YEAR.
Correspondence and communications upon all matters
relating to coal or coal production are Invited.
All communications and remittances to
THE COAI. TRA.DK COMPANY.
926-930 PARK BUILDING, PITTSBUROH, PA.
Long Distance Telephone 250 Grant.
[Entered at the Post Office at Pittsburgh, Pa., as
Second Class Mall Matter.]
WITH THE PROJECT for canalizing the Ohio being
rates which Pittsburgh shippers justly regard as
unfair and extortionate continue to obtain. En­
gineers say that it is possible to have the canal
in operation in five years. If present plans are
adhered to it will furnish transportation for as
much freight as fifteen railroads could carry.
Moreover, its cost, making all reasonable allow­
ances, will not be greater than that of one double
track line covering the same distance and reaching
the same points. It will carry Pittsburgh's coal
and manufactured products to the lakes and bring
back iron ore for about one-third of the amount
now paid. May success and speed attend the
venture, and if the personnel and past history of
those who compose the company may be taken as
a criterion it will have both.
» * «
ALL INDICATIONS point to a good summer's busi-
pushed to the utmost, with perfect certainty that ness and a record-breaking spurt next fall. Even
the desired end is being attained in that direction the railroads, which usually take the position of
and with a company of representative men incor- the man from Missouri, are awake to coming
porated and actively at work to make the Lake needs and are straining every nerve to bring their
Erie and Ohio river ship canal a reality, Pitts­ equipment up to a point at which it will be fairly
burgh industrial leaders and particularly those efficient. Big industrial orders are being given
interested in coal seem justified in taking a bright and plans for increasing capacity are being made
view of the future. The ship canal is such an on all sides. A year ago business was fast get­
old project, and for many years almost a chimerting down to rather a low ebb. It became eviical
one that it is difficult to realize that an actual dent, however, before the summer was over, that
start has been made toward bringing it into a revival of trade was at hand. The mainspring
existence. It is, however, the legitimate fruit of of industrial activity is coal. When conditions
the agitation and efforts begun more than a decade became such last fall that the indications could
ago. The fallacy of the arguments of those who not be mistaken, many coal producers endeavored
at first honestly believed that the increase in the to open the market, take care of the consumer and
number and facilities of the railroads would meet avoid the congestion that was otherwise unavoid­
the natural increase in the demand for heavy able. They were ridiculed, sneered at and openly
transportation has been proved. Whether or not the accused of trying to take their friends into camp.
railroads are able to give shippers the benefit of So were some few publishers who had the temerity
better rates in the canal zone is a matter of which to advise the public. The result was a nasty
they, unfortunately, are the sole arbiters. Thus state of affairs which lasted through the greater
far neither smiles nor prayers have availed and part of the winter. There were some biting