coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

24 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
Manufacturers have stood firm for their demands
for a living price and first half contracts that have
been made indicate that their stand has not been
in vain. The year opened with the smallest num­
ber of ovens in operation since the closing week
of 1911, but it is probable they will show an in­
crease as soon as the holiday celebrations are over.
Prices are held at $2.50 to $2.75 for furnace coke
and $3.50 to $3.75 for foundry coke.
The anthracite trade is experiencing a stagna­
tion as well as the bituminous. Tlie weather con­
ditions had much to do with this, and because of
light demand due to absence of low temperatures.
some coal is being stored by the producing com­
panies. Mines not affected by petty strikes are
not working full time and there is a likelihood it
will De several weeks before a decided change for
the better is noticeable. Prices are held at win­
ter figures.
* * *
THE CUSTOMARY REVIEW OF THE YEAK APPEARS
on another page of this issue of Tin-: COAL TRADE
BtLLETiN. Forming a part of it is an estimate
of the tonnage of the United States for 1913. It
shows another record breaker. Elsewhere appears
the estimate of the Geological survey. It shows
still a further increase. But we are of opinion
its minimum figures are too high. Comparisons
of railroad tonnage statistics and state mining de­
partment figures indicate THE COAL TRADE BULLE­
TIN estimate will be found close to actual production
when the total tonnage is reported. This
wonderful increase in tonnage was accompanied by
a twelve-month of good prices, almost a new phase
of the industry, and this is the hopeful note in tlie
trade, as it presages, apparently, the passing of
the day when the operator strove for tonnage, no
matter what the price. The review, we believe,
will be found to cover all the important phases of
the industry during the year and to portray faithfully
the outline of the more important events.
* # *
FREIGHT RATES ON COAL continue to absorb the
attention of the Interstate Commerce commission
to a large degree, and while the carriers have furnished
the commission with an outline of the manner
of arriving at the proposed inn eases, the commission
desires still more information on the subject.
In connection with this phase of the trade
a new note is interjected by a letter of the president
of one of the largest producing concerns, in
which he advocates the granting of the plea of the
carriers and bases his plea on the ground that the
additional revenue would enable them to furnish
more adequate service, thus permitting the coal
man to reap larger benefits through increased tonnage.
The outcome will be awaited with interest.
* * *
ABSOLUTE VIOLATION OF CONTRACTS IS CHARGED
against the miners by Central Pennsylvania operators
in their letter forwarded to the officials of
the mine warkers in that district. Coupled with
the charge is a threat that unless the cause for
complaint is removed there will be a break in
contractual relations. The communication is the
result of the annoying petty strikes that have
afflicted that district along with all others in the
country during 1912. And, as was the case in
nearly every other district, a majority of these
strikes were called against the direct orders of the
miners' officials, who in many cases, not only refused
to recognize the strike, but ordered the men
back to work. The miners should take a second
thought before indulging in precipitate action, for
unless they do so operators from other districts
will likely follow in the footsteps of those in Central
Pennsylvania and demoralization of the trade
will result should all relations finally be severed.
„^^___-_-„„_-^„„____-_-_-. „,_-_- ,.
• LONG WALL BRUSHINGS •
"You've told us this," says the I. C. C. to the railroads,
"But we still want to know some more about your
coal loads,
"So just answer this latest bunch of questions on
freights,
"And then, perhaps, we'll make a new decision on
rates."
# . *
Anthracite men are thankful for one small favor.
They don't have to pay a tax on coal to get out
more coal on which they are compelled to pay a
tax. May be, yes, they will get some more exemptions,
already yet.
* * *
A Happy and prosperous New Year, to you, Mr.
Coal Man, be you operator or dealer. May your
order book be full at fat prices, and may you
know no worry but how to fill the demands of
customers.
* * *
Those Central Pennsylvania operators don't hesitate
to "talk out plain in meetin'," relative to
petty strikes.
* * *
A green Christmas may make a fat graveyard,
Imt it pufs a crimp in the coal man's pocketbook.
Old Man 1913 sure chucked Grandfather 1911's
record in the gob, both tonnage and prices.