coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

T s &f>e
RADE BULLETIN
Vol. XXX PITTSBURGH, MARCH 16, 1914 No. 8
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN;
PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY.
Copyrighted, 1914, by THE COAL TBADH COMPANY.
A. R. HAMILTON, Proprietor and Publisher,
H. J. STBAUB, Managing Editor.
TWO DOLLARS A YEAR
FIFTEEN CENTS A COPY
Correspondence and communications upon all matters
relating to coal or coal production are invited.
All communications and remittances to
THE COAL TUADE BULLETIN,
926-930 TARIC BUILDING, PITTSBURGH.
Long Distance Telephone 250 Grant.
1 Entered at the Post Office at Pittsburgh as
Second Class Mail Matter.]
BETTEIS DEMAND is APPARENT in the coal trade at
this time, although the increase is not as large
as the producers would like to see. The increased
demand apparently is due to the increase in the
working time of the larger industries, particularly
iron and steel, but does not indicate a large stock­
ing up by these interests, more of a hand-to-mouth
buying being noticeable. Producers, of course,
would like to see this changed into a more active
demand, but not at the expense of prices, which
just now are firmer than they have been for some
weeks, and the result is that no coal is to be had
save at full list prices, and with whispers of bet­
terments in some of the grades of fuel. Some sea­
sonable weather during* the fortnight helped mat­
ters considerably, and general conditions aided in
putting more backbone in the market.
Of course the labor situation has had some effect
on the trade. To shut eyes to this fact would be
folly, but. on the other hand, to say that it is one
of the dominant factors likewise would be equally
foolish. There has been some stocking up by con­
sumers on account of the approach of April 1,
but not to the extent that prevailed in other years
when wage scale matters were in course of con­
sideration.
In the Pittsburgh district production has taken
a slight jump and there is more coal going for­
ward, but still there is room for improvement in
the working time and the number of mines run­
ning. The iron and steel industries of the district
are a little more active and this means that the
fuel needs of the furnaces and mills are heavier,
and naturally this reflects in a betterment of ton­
nage in the district. Some coal is going into
stock, but not in abnormal quantities. One of the
encouraging signs at this time is the report of
premiums for coal of all grades in the spot market,
premiums being demanded by producers and being
paid by consumers whose needs must be met.
These conditions prevailing, list prices on coal for
contract are not questioned by buyers, and they
are held firm at $1.30 to $1.40 for run-of-mine coal;
$1.40 to $1.50 for three-quarter coal; $1.50 to $1.60
for inch and one-quarter coal, and slack at 90
cents. All the grades of coal save the inch and
one-quarter are decidedly active.
Coke makers are increasing their tonnage
weekly these days, and are having no difficulty in
disposing of their tonnage at prices that are at
least partially satisfactory. The increased activity
in the iron and steel industries has reflected more
quickly on the coke trade than any other branch
of the industry, and in consequence there is more
activity among the manufacturers than has been
the case for some little time. Furnaces are being
blown in in many parts of the country, and, as
they had no stocks on hand, there has been a bet­
ter demand for fuel than has been the case at any
time since the opening of the year. This being
the case, manufacturers have no difficulty in se­
curing list prices, which are: $2.50 to $2.75 for
furnaee coke and $3.50 to $3.75 for foundry coke.
The reports of the shipments of anthracite for
the month of February indicate that there has
been a recession in that branch of the industry,
and that there has been a let-up in demand during
that month. Indications are, however, that the
present month is likely to see better things in the
trade, and that the tonnage will be increased ma­
terially over that of the preceding month. Labor
troubles that have harassed the anthracite fields
for many months in the shape of petty stoppages