1 9 2 9
1 9 2 7 1928
J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A H J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D 1929
" I -i- t - t - T- T-I-V"1!1 P R O D U C T I O N OF B I T U M I N O U S CO AL ( B ureau o f Alines,Census Bureau)1,
*“.50,000
O4Q000
1927
„ 12,000
-19 2 8
J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D 1 9 2 9
CO NSU M PTION OF BITUMINOUS COAL B Y S T E A M R A I L R O A D S
’ (In tersta te Commerce Com m ission, Census Bureau)
1 9 2 7 1 9 2 8
J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O H D 1929
TTT T I Mn T | IT T T T T
CO NSU MPTION OF BITUMINOUS COAL B Y C E N T R A L E L E C T R IC P O W É R P L A N T S
1 9 2 7 1928 1929
01 9,000
■oe 8,000c
37,000
° 6,000
V—
in 5,000
| 4,000
J F M A M J J A S 0 N D J FM A M J J A S 0 N D J F M A M J J A S 0 N D PRODUCTION OF A N T H R A C I T E COAL
574 C O A I j A G E — V ol.34, Vo.9
MARKETS
in Review
T
H E S IT U A T IO N ill the bituminous coal markets of the United States showed a distinct improve
ment in August as compared to the pre
ceding summer months. In all but a few of the principal markets, buying for domestic use increased and was accom
panied by a rise in the general price level. Dealers and consumers, however, were still reluctant to add to stocks.
Screenings and, to a lesser extent, other steam sizes were adversely affected by the increased output of domestic coal and receded from their former favorable position. Reports indicate that the re
mainder of the year will be marked by an exceptionally good coal business and the National Coal Association points out that production in 1929 probably
sponding weighted average prices were
$1.77, Aug. 3; $1.76, Aug. 10; $1.71, 3,378,733 tons over the corresponding period in 1928. Cargo dumpings to Aug. could be discerned, however. Increased buying is expected in September.
Domestic sales were a very encourag high-volatile block. Movement from southern Illinois, Indiana No. 4 and western Kentucky mines was accelerated by price advances scheduled for Sep
tember. The imminence of cold weather and depleted stockpiles resulted in some ordering at August circulars in antici
pation of early fall and w inter buying.
Retail dealers, however, still refused to manifest any interest in large stocks.
Price advances in the various fields, effective Sept. 1, are as follows: south
ern Illinois domestic sizes, 10c.@25c.;
western Kentucky domestic sizes, ap
proximately 20c.; Indiana No. 4 lump
central Illinois, 80c.@ 90c.; southern Illinois (leading companies), $1.50@
$1.60, with some independent offerings at $1.25. accumulate good-sized stocks in August as a result of light public demand.
Householders are far behind on pur
chases and a brisk movement is promised when cold weather arrives.
A ugust proved to be a poor month prospect for early relief. September holds no promise except for domestic
nut, $2@$2.50; mine-run, $2.10; screen figures show shipments to be about 15,000 cars as compared to 13,588 in June and 19,332 in A ugust of last year. Move
ment was hampered, however, by a dis
position on the part of dealers and con
sumers to bold their stocks down to a minimum because of unsettled credit conditions. Receipts of bituminous coal from the Lake E rie ports have been at
$4.75; screenings, $3.S5; Youghiogheny block, lump and egg, $5.50; stove, $5.05;
western mines but, in general, the whole
sale trade was dull. Prices on prepared sizes stiffened at the middle of the month, though screenings dropped from
$2@$2.25 to $1.75. A ugust storage prices were as follows: Arkansas semi
anthracite lump, $4@$4.50; Spadra (A rk .) anthracite grate, egg and range,
nace, $8.25; Rock Springs-Kenunerer lump, $4.25; nut, $3.75; steam sizes,
$1.50; Crested Butte bituminous lump,
$5.25; nut, $4.30; Colorado steam sizes,
$1.40.
Conditions in the Louisville market showed no great improvement in the month of A ugust other than an increase in the price of H arlan block to $2.40.
O ther coals maintained their former price levels, and operating time in both eastern and western Kentucky mines was poor—w ith the exception of captive Pool I (Navy Standard).... Philadelphia Pool 9 (super, low vol.) . . . New York Pool 54-64 <gas and s t.) Philadelphia Pittsburgh sc’d g a s... Pittsburgh Pittsburgh gas m ine-run— Pittsburgh
throughout the month, though little could be had for under $2.10. Other declined, the weekly movement being between 12,000 and 13,000 cars. Smoke
less coals, by reason of strict adherance to circular prices in August, entered September w ith prospects of an increase of 25c.@50c. over the list prices. The demand for stove sizes increased, though nut was slow at the end of the month, bringing $2 as against a circular price of $2.25. Screenings maintained a fairly good position as a result of steel and byproduct demand, with some weakening in sympathy w ith a drop in the high- volatile market.
High-volatile dealers were successful in an endeavor to wipe out the surplus sizes. Retail smokeless prices
$3 25 were advanced to $8 for lump showed renewed activity and i;$i. 40 mine prices were stronger in
«ling retail prices are as follows :
A slight improvement was noticeable in the Pittsburgh market in August, bringing brighter prospects for Septem
ber. Movement from the district, fos
tered by the continued high m anufactur
ing rate, was better than seasonal, with adversely affected by the increased pro
duction of domestic sizes, going to as low as 75c. Quotations of 80c.@$l were in force at the end of the month.
Gas slack was relatively steady at $1@
$1.10, and industrial lump maintained its previous position.
Central Pennsylvania reported a dis
tinct improvement alb along the line in market during August though buying for stockpiles did not make itself evi
dent. This fact leads the trade to expect a particularly heavy buiness later in the year. The bunker trade also failed to improve, proceeding at the same rate as in previous months. Prices remained unchanged, with a tendency toward firmness at present levels.
Domestic sales increased slightly in the Birmingham market in August, en
gendering an optimistic feeling toward the future. Indications point to an active and satisfactory buying movement in September, particularly as stocks repre
sent only a fraction of the normal winter requirements. September prices are as follow s: Cahaba lump, $4@ $5; egg, last, causing an increased movement.
Though no new bunker business was orders received and a corresponding acceleration in deliveries marked the latter half of A ugust in the Philadelphia activity, shipments ju st about keeping abreast of production. Buckwheat m ain
tained a good position throughout the for which figures are available—were 1,734,565 net tons, as compared to 28,331 net tons of bituminous coal, 33,417 gross tons of anthracite and 16,714 tons Louisville----W est Ky. screenings Louisville.. . . West K y. block... Chicago... 1.25®1 1.60 1.25®>1. 60 1.25®i 1.60 1.25®>1: 60 1.25® 1.60 .60®1 1. 10 .60®> 1. 10 .80®>1. 00 .60®> 1. 15 .60® 1. 15