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THE
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REFUTATION OF THE CHARGES OF
" MONOPOLY."
ARGUMENT OF HON. LUCIUS ROBINSON
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BEFORE THE CANAL BOARD,
April 9th, 1867.
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ELMIRA, N. Y.
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The Coal Trade-Canal Tolls.
REFUTATION OF THE CHARGES OF " MONOPOLY."
ARGUMENT OF HON. LUCIUS ROBINSON.
The Special Committee of the Assembly appointed to
investigate certain charges of improper combinations in
the Coal trade made two reports. The majority reported
simply in favor of the purchase by the State of the Junc¬
tion Canal. The minority, consisting of the Chairman and
one other member, reported in favor of requesting the
Canal Board to consider the propriety of reducing tolls on
Coal going west from tide-water, and also in favor of reg¬
ulating tolls on the Junction Canal.
On the 9th day of April, when the Canal Board was
settling the toll sheet for 186J?, Mr. Hoyt, member of As¬
sembly from Yates county, and Chairman of the Investi¬
gating Committee, appeared and addressed the Board at
length in favor of reducing tolls on Coal going west from
© © O ©
tide water, whilst they should be kept up on all the Coal
passing through Bingh'amton, Ithaca and Elmira. Mr.
Hotchkiss, of Binghamton, made a very able argument
in reply, showing the injustice of such an invidious and
uncalled for distinction against the portion of the State
aimed at by the proposition. After the conclusion of his
remarks, Mr. Hoyt again took the floor and continued to
4
urge his views upon the Board. He was followed by Mr.
Borinson, of Elmira, who spoke substantially as follows :
SUBSTANCE OF MB. ROBINSON'S ARGUMENT.
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Canal Board :
This proposition is not new to me. During the four
years that I had the honor to be a member of this
ay '
Board, it was presented every year, argued by able coun¬
sel, fully considered, and uniformly rejected. If the salu¬
tary principle which prevails in all courts of justice, in re¬
gard to questions which have been fairly adjudicated and
settled, should be recognized by this Board, it would re¬
fuse to re-open the subject. But as this is not so, I am
called upon to stand here for the fifth time in opposition
to the proposed measure—not it is true with the respon¬
sibilities of a member of the Board, but as a lawyer, and
the counsel of the parties who are sought to be injured.
Let us first inquire how came this question here, and
what you are asked to do ? The wealthy and powerful
coal companies and merchants in Eastern New York and
Pennsylvania supply all the great cities and markets on
the sea coast from Maine to Texas, all the steam-ships and
steamboats, and all the manufacturing establishments in
the Eastern and Middle States. It would seem that so
wide a field should satisfy them. But not so. Through
the Hudson river to Albany, and thence by the magnifi¬
cent liighway that the State has opened for them to the
Lakes, tliey seek to supply and control the Western as
they do the Eastern markets. Well, we say let them do
it if they can. The field is open. No one opposes them,
and they have immense advantages in their favor. Why
do they not succeed ? Why do they come every year to
the Canal Board in one form or another invoking the aid
of the State after what the State has already done for
them? The answer is this. Some sagacious and enter¬
prising business men in the u Southern Tier," at Elmira,
Ithaca and Binghamton, and in Northern Pennsylvania,
5
discovered that the short and natural path from the Coal
Mines to the North and West was through those places,
and they at once entered upon the task of opening it.—
They did not come here to ask the State to aid them.—
Neither they nor their agents were seen in the lobbies of
the Legislature. Not a dollar did they receive of ask
from the State Treasury. But combining their resources,
they put their hands in their own pockets, and built at
their own expense, the Junction Canal, the Blmira and
Williamsport Railroad, the Scranton Railroad, and the
Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad. The Junction Canal,
built by private capital, united the whole canal system of
New York with that of Pennsylvania ; and the railroads
referred to unite also with those of that State. Thus did
these gentlemen by their own energies and their own mon¬
ey cut through the mountains, fill up the chasms, bridge
the streams, and lay open the Coal Mines to the Western
markets. A trade was immediately commenced which
has continued to swell from year to year, bringing busi¬
ness and revenue to your canals, and also bringing coal to
western consumers at so cheap a rate that the eastern com¬
panies cannot compete with it. Hence they come here
from year to year, modestly requesting you to levy tolls
so as to discriminate in their favor and against those who
have opened a shorter and cheaper route to the Coal
Mines. In other words, you are asked to punish these
gentlemen who at vast expense to themselves, have con¬
ferred such benefits upon the public, and to reward those
who at the expense of the State have had already great
advantages conferred upon them. I am constrained to
repeat the language of the lamented Daniel S. Dickinson,
when he last argued this question here, that the proposi¬
tion is so offensive and so palpably absurd that it is em¬
barrassing to attempt to discuss it before intelligent and
-just men.
The parties interested seem to have lost confidence in
their case as heretofore presented, and it now makes its ap-
6
pcarance in another shape. A minority of an investiga¬
ting committee report in its favor, and in lieu of the array
of counsel formerly employed, we have the chairman of
that committee, one of the minority, here arguing the mat¬
te]' in person. But it is nevertheless the same old ques¬
tion in a new dress and with a new advocate.
It was former]v claimed that this discriminating
O
reduction of tolls would increase the revenue by drawing
a large trade to the Erie Canal. This point is less relied
upon now. It is undoubtedly fallacious. The Auditor
with all the data before him was always of the opinion
that the revenue would inevitably be diminished, and the
experience of the Department fully sustains his views.
The main point of the argument now is, that the price
of coal will be reduced by extending this favor to the
Eastern coal companies, so as to enable them to come into
the western markets, and compete with the companies in
the Southern counties. Let us see what there is in this.
In the first place it is on its face an admission of a most
important fact, namely, that the latter companies sell coal
at lower rates than their Eastern rivals do or can. They
have not raised the price of coal but have reduced it, as I
shall have occasion to show in another part of my remarks.
In the next place it is an admission that the Eastern com¬
panies cannot afford to sell coal as low as the companies
which I represent do sell it unless the State will give them
a bounty in the shape of reduced tolls. How then is it
possible for the price of coal to be reduced to the consunE
er by this reduction of toll ? The reduction asked for
will be from Albany to Rochester about 26 cents per ton,
and to Buffalo about 36 cents per ton-. Will these cents
be taken otf the price to purchasers in those cities ? Cer¬
tainly not. The Eastern companies must have that to en¬
able them to reach those points. They must put the mon¬
ey in their own pockets. If tliey allow it to the purchas¬
ers they will be in no better condition than they are now.
They must keep up the price and pocket the bounty in
7
order to make them whole. If they reduce the prices to
the extent even of this trifling amount of toll, they loose
the whole benefit of the change, and are left precisely
where they were before. By their own showing, there¬
fore, it is impossible that this measure, if adopted, should
reduce the price of coal to the consumers.
But if discrimination is asked in favor of our competi¬
tors, and against us, it exists already, and in much larger
proportions than this small amount of toll. You give to
them an enlarged canal, from tide water to the Lakes.—
You give to them an uninterrupted passage way for boats
of 200 tons. On the other hand, you give to us a short
and small canal, on which we can carry hardly 100 tons,
and many of the boats coming through the Pennsylvania
and Junction canals are compelled to unload and re-ship
their cargoes at Elmira, because they cannot pass through
the short locks on the Chemung canal. Is not this discrim¬
ination enough ? Must you pile it upon us still higher,
and punish us for struggling against all these difficulties,
and yet furnishing you with coal at cheaper rates than the
eastern companies can or will furnish it? If the Ca¬
nal Board is to lower itself to any such work as this, I
agree with my friend, Mr. Hotchkiss, who addressed you,
in expressing the hope that for the honor of the State, the
transaction may not find its way into the newspapers, and
that it may never be published to the world.
We are not here to ask for favors ; we come only to
protest against monstrous injustice. We do not ask you
to reduce our tolls. On the contrary, we are willing you
should raise them, if necessary. As a member of this
Board, I always insisted that the tolls should be high
enough to pay the expenses of the canals, without a resort
to taxation. I shall not contend for any different policy
as counsel for any body. It is, in my judgment, the only
wise and honest policy. If your tolls are not already high
enough to accomplish that object, I insist that it is your
8
duty to raise them. We shall pay them cheerfully, as we
have paid, and are paying, the heavy taxes imposed up¬
on us for canal enlargements, which injure rather than ben¬
efit us. But in the name of common justice aud decency,
do not single out our small canals for high tolls, and the
large ones for low tolls.
I shall here leave this branch of the subject. I might
pursue it much further, but I will not detain the Board
by going over the ground, which has been so ably occupied
by Mr. Hotchkiss.
I now ask your attention to another aspect of the case
which has been greatly magnified and distorted, and which
duty to my clients forbids me to pass by in silence. Ever
since their enterprise first began to develop the coal trade,
which is now becoming so immense, they have been the
objects of bitter hostility on the part of rival interests.—
It is that spirit which has brought this same proposition
five times before this Board. Not content with this, the
cry of "Monopoly" and "Combination" has been raised.
Buffalo and Rochester, especially Rochester, have been
agitated. The newspapers have been enlisted in the hue
and cry, and the people have been made to believe that
they were the victims of extortion and oppression on the
part of these terrible " monopolists." An Investigating
Committee of the Assembly, with power to send for per¬
sons and papers, has been in session for weeks, taking all
the testimony that could be raked up far or near, against
the accused parties, and rejecting nearly all that was in
their favor. The result of this one sided investigation,
after all the parade made about it, is little better than lu¬
dicrous. The Committee divide, three against two. The
majority recommend, as a cure for all the evils which
they have discovered, the purchase by the State of the
Junction Canal. This is all, and this my clients have al¬
ways been in favor of, and it would especially gratify
them. The minority recommend a reduction of tolls on
the Junction Canal, and that the Canal Board take into
. 1
9
consideration, as it is now doing, the propriety of discrim¬
inating against us in fixing the toll sheet. Such is the re¬
sult of this grand inquisition.
Not well content with this lame conclusion, the Chair¬
man of the Committee, who is the author of the minority
report, comes here and advocates discriminating tolls as a
sort of retaliation upon these "monopolists." If the as¬
sumption of improper combination and monopoly was
ever so well founded, is it any part of the duty of this
Board to sit in judgment upon it ? I have had some oc¬
casion to study the duties of the Canal Board as defined in
the Statutes, and have never found any such jurisdiction
conferred upon it. I have always understood its duties to
be to look after the welfare of the canals, to protect the
interests of the State in regard to them, and to levy such
fair and equitable tolls as were required for supporting
them. In the discharge of these duties, in the spirit of
enlightened statesmanship, it has had a long and honora¬
ble history. Is it now to descend from its dignified posi¬
tion and organize itself into a court of petty sessions to try
alleged offenders against the code of commercial ethics ?
And are my clients to be arraigned before it 011 a charge
of "monopoly" and ■ "combination" to raise the price of
coal ? If so, we plead the general issue ; we deny the
charge in every form, and are ready for trial.
Who, then, are the accused parties ? Those who know
Jervis Langdon need not be told that the State has not
within its limits a more honorable, generous and enter¬
prising merchant. Mayor Friseie comes here with a fresh
certificate of high character just given him by those who
know him best, having recently been elected Mayor of our
young city by a flattering vote against a worthy and popu¬
lar candidate, and when all this clamor about "monopoly"
was imported from Rochester, and forced into the canvass
to count for all it was worth. And what is said in favor
of these gentlemen, may be said of all those arraigned
here. They are men of high and unimpeachable character
2
10
and standing—none more so—and the State, and the peo¬
ple owe them a debt of gratitude for what they have done
in developing the coal mines and opening avenues to them.
Their only fault is that they live in the "Southern Tier,"
and have the audacity to do business, and reap the fruits
of it, without asking permission of Rochester, Buffalo and
the central line.
How have these gentlemen been treated before the In¬
vestigating Committee ? They appeared before it on its
summons ; they raised no objections to this inquisition in¬
to their private affairs ; they answered every question put
to them fully and frankly ; they did not conceal or at¬
tempt to conceal any thing. Even Mr. Hoyt, with all his
prejudices, is constrained to admit here that their appear¬
ance and their answers before the Committee were entire¬
ly frank and manly. Indeed, there is very little in all the
proofs of any materiality, except what they testified to.
They then asked that when the testimony was all taken,
they might be allowed to make such further statements
and explanations as they might consider necessary for a
full and fair understanding of the case. They were as¬
sured that they should have that privilege. Accordingly
when the investigation was drawing to a close, they pre¬
pared in writing a brief but clear and full explanation and
statement, with tables annexed, showing the prices of coal
in all the principal markets for a series of years. These
tables were verified on oath. They showed beyond all
controversy, that there was not in the United States a
coal market where the price of coal is, and has been so
low, in proportion to distance and cost of transportation
as in the markets supplied by these "monopolists."
They showed that the effect of their arrangements had
been, not to raise, but to reduce the price, and that all
the clamor had been started by other dealers who could
not, or would not, sell as low as they did.
The statement and tables were handed to the Commit¬
tee by Mr. Langdon and Mr. Wells as a part of their
ii
testimony. They offered to testify to every fact stated
in them, if the Committee preferred to have them do so,
but to save time the statement and tables were received,
and as the parties understood, they constituted a part
of their testimony as much as any thing that they had
sworn to previously. After the close of the investiga¬
tion, they found to their astonishment that the state¬
ment had been rejected on the ground that it was argu¬
mentative. I do not wish to impugn the motives of the
Committee, but I cannot resist the conviction that it was
rejected because it utterly annihilated the case sought to
be made out against the accused parties. If it was ar¬
gumentative, it was so, because unanswerable facts stated
in logical order constitute the strongest of arguments.
o o o
Fortunately no such technical rules are enforced by this
Board, and I now produce and beg leave to read this re¬
jected statement.
Mr. Robinson" then read the statement as follows :
STATEMENT,
Showing that no improper combination has existed between the Compa¬
nies which supply Interior and Western Neic York with Coal from
Pennsylvania, and that the arrangements between them have not only
been proper business arrangements, but have resulted in reducing the
price of Coal to the consumer.
The following statement, marked A, was prepared by
Mr. Langdon and myself as part of our testimony before
the investigating committee of the Assembly. It was
made in writing, that we might be definite, clear and pre¬
cise in our statements, under an intimation from the Hon.
C. S. Hoyt, chairman of the committee, as we understood
him that it would be agreeable to the committee to have
it in that form, and that it would be received as evidence.
We had already been examined as the first witnesses upon
the investigation, and being called again, after the exami¬
nation of other witnesses, and having answered all such
questions as were asked, fully and frankly, but these ques¬
tions not having, as we conceived, from lack of informa¬
tion on the part of the committee on the points involved,
called out fully the merits of the matters under investiga-
12
lion, when asked whether I had any other statements to
make, I offered this written statement as part of my evi¬
dence, proposing, if it was received, to subjoin to it the
affidavits of Mr. Langdon and myself to its truth. But
it was rejected, it is not easy to see why. It certainly
embodies important facts bearing on the merits of the in¬
vestigation ; facts necessary to a correct understaning of
the mat I ers referred to the committee ; and if these facts
show, as we think they do, most clearly, that a false pub¬
lic sentiment has been based upon wrong information, jus¬
tice all the more required that that the statement should
be received. It was said the statement was argumenta¬
tive, and in a few of its sentences it is so ; but as a whole
it is no more so than testimony before investigating com¬
mittees usually is, or even than is frequently heard in
courts of justice. But its arguments do not harm its facts,
and are not liable to mislead the minds either of the com¬
mittee or the public.
It being rejected as testimony, we thought the commit¬
tee would surely comply with our request to report it
as having been offered and rejected, or if not, at least as
an argument ; but these requests were refused.
C. F. WELLES.
The supply of coal to the New York market is from
the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, distance 108
miles of canal and about 25 miles of railroad ; the Penn¬
sylvania Coal Company, about 131 miles, all rail ; and
the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Bailroad to Eliz-
abethport, 129 miles ; and the Lehigh Coal, 141 miles.
The supply to Elmira is from Shamokin, 138 miles from
the nearest point, all rail ; Plymouth, 176 miles, all rail;
and Wilkes Barre, 123 miles by canal boats of only 70
tons capacity, and running against the current all the way,
and many of the boats obliged to reship at Elmira, as
they cannot pass the small locks on the Chemung canal.
These statements show that Elmira is considerably far¬
ther from the coal mines by rail than New York. Yet for
the last six years there has never been a day when the
wholesale price of coal was not lower in Elmira than in
New York, and the retail prices very much lower.
The cost of transportation from Elmira to Buffalo—by
water, 237 miles ; by all rail, 160 miles—is from $2.00 to
$2.50 per ton, and sometimes higher; and yet, ever since
13
we commenced selling coal in Buffalo, in 1861, our aver¬
age retail prices have been considerably lower, there than
the retail prices in New York.
Our wholesale prices to the dealers at Rochester were
always the same as to those at Buffalo and all other points.
Two years ago we established yards for retailing at Roch¬
ester ; prior to that the retailers there established prices
to suit themselves, as they did at all points where we had
no yards for retailing. Since we have been retailing in
Rochester, the prices have been the same as at Buffalo, ex¬
cept as they were affected by some slight difference in the
cost of handling and freights.
At all points where we have retail yards, it is our prac¬
tice, in fixing the prices, to add only about the additional
cost of handling to the wholesale prices.
Sworn statements are herewith submitted to the com¬
mittee, showing the particulars and details of all the facts
stated in regard to the prices at the points referred to.
There are three principal points of distribution, viz :
Elmira, Ithaca and Syracuse. The two latter points are
supplied from Scranton, because the cost of transportation
is less than it would be if they were supplied from Elmira.
The intention and practice has uniformly been to supply
each point from the nearest and cheapest source, so as to
reduce the prices to consumers.
We reduce the cost of transportation by giving steady
and regular employment to the boats during the wdiole
season. In the summer months the demand for coal is
light; in the fall it is heavy and urgent. If the transpor¬
tation was delayed until fall, there would be a great rush
for boats, and freights would be extravagantly high, and
the cost of the coal largely increased. Under our ar¬
rangement, the boats are loaded and run as regularly in
May, June. July and August, as in the later months, which
enables us to have a reduction in rates, and to supply coal
cheaper than it could possibly be done if we waited to
transport it until it was wanted. We have to stock our
yards in all the markets heavily during the summer in or¬
der to be ready to meet the large demand during the win¬
ter, and this can only be done by the use of a large capital.
We own or lease our coal mines. Nearly ail of our
profits are made in mining our coal and putting it in boats
and cars for less than the market price where mined.
There is but a small profit made by us on coal bought at
14
the regular piarket price where mined. We transport
and sell our coal with all the economy possible. By con¬
solidating the business into few hands we save largely in
management: for instance, one man can mine, ship and
sell one hundred thousand tons at a large saving over the
cost if done by ten independent parties. With one man
there is 110 competition for boats, and he can ship his coal
at much less rates than if ten men were competing for boats
to carry the same coal. It is true the one man would be
liable to have freights raised upon him, as sworn toby one
gentleman before your committee, "That he brought us
to terms by raising freights one dollar per ton." Per¬
haps he did so. If he did, it only shows his efforts re¬
sulted in an increased cost of coal to the consumer one
dollar per ton. The same witness, if we remember cor¬
rectly, stated that coal sold higher in Elmirathan in New
York. This we deny, and the sworn statement we file
with you will show who is correct. Another witness
swore, as we understood, that his coal, bought of us at El-
mira, cost him $7.10 in his yard, and he retailed it at $10.50.
The one-third of which profit would satisfy even the "coal
monopolists." We mention this to show that it is not fair
or just to charge us with the acts of men selling coal at
retail at points where we have no retail yard.
If we are held responsible for the acts of those over
whom we have no control—the acts of your own people,
who seem disposed to be decidedly in favor of what is
termed "monopoly prices"—then we confess, there is some
show of monopoly. As sworn to by Mr. Langdon, the
average wholesale price of coal at Elmira, for 1866, has
been $5.61. Others swore that the regular market price
of coal at Pittston was $2.50 ; freight, $1.75 ; toll charged
the Pittston and Elmira Coal Company, for 1866, 99
cents—foots up $5.24, which leaves 37 cents per ton for
all profits and expenses. Take, if you please, 1864-5, 01*
the date of the highest price of coal in Western New York,
and let us see how the profit would stand. Coal sold then
in boats and cars, at the mines, at from $5 to $5.50—say
$5.25 per ton—tolls, $1.23 ; freight, $2.50, and you have
$8.98. Add to this for waste and handling 50 cents per
ton, and you have $9.48 as the cost at Elmira. Add to
this also the increase of freight (one witness swore he
compelled us to pay say $1.00 per ton,) and you have
$10.48 ; and our average wholesale price was but $9.80:—
15
the highest price being $10.00 for stove coal, which was
higher than any other size. Still, we made a fair profit
in mining the coal—not buying it in the open market.
We contract, in the spring, with any parties who wish
to deal in coal, and will commence taking their supply in
May, and receive it in regular monthly proportions, de¬
ducting to them 50 cents per ton from the regular circu¬
lar rates. And this is the only way we appoint what has
been termed "recognized dealers" by some of the witnesses.
Elmira is an exception to this rule, in so far as that Mr.
Langdon refused to sell to Spaulding and others, because
he had contracted with one man to handle all his coal in
Elmira, and he could handle it cheaper than he could if he
had only a portion of it. We charge to the consumers,
delivered at their houses, over the lowest wholesale price
to contract dealers, not exceeding what we pay for doing
the work. Before we opened our own yards, there were
five retail dealers in Elmira. The consequence was, that
coal cost the consumer from $1.00 to $1.50 per ton more.
As we think, it clearly appears that by running our
boats regularly through the whole season, stocking our
coal, we get the advantages of the lowest possible freights.
But the advantages to the consumer of coal for domestic
uses are are still greater in the establishment of yards for
retailing, as will appear by the change of prices and mar¬
gin between wholesale and retail prices, at the time of
such change, in Elmira.
We commenced retailing in Elmira, June 1st, 1865 :
The wholesale and retail prices of coal were as follows:
DATE.
Size.
Wh'sale
Price;.
Retail
Price.
DATE.
Size.
Wh'sale
Price.
Retail
Price.
April
Lump, .
$8 75
11 00
■
June,....
Lump, .
$5 35
$5 90
Broken.
8 85
11 00
Broken.
5 45
6 00
Egg,...
9 15
11 00
Egg ...
5 60
6 15
Stove, .
9 55
11 00
Stove, .
5 75
6 35
Nut ...
8 70
10 50
Nut,...
5 10
5 50
May
Lump, .
5 95
8 75
July,
Lump, .
5 55
6 15
Broken.
6 05
8 75
Broken.
5 65
6 25
Egg, • • •
6 30
8 75
Egg, • • •
5 90
6 50
Stove,
6 70
8 75
Stove, .
6 05
6 70
\
Nut ...
5 70
8 25
Nut ....
5 30
5 75
it will be seen from these figures that the effect of our
16
arrangement has been not to increase but to reduce prices
to consumers ; and it is an indisputable fact, that in no
coal market of the United States are prices lower in pro¬
portion to cost and expenses, than in those we supply.
We wish, also, to call particular attention to the prices
of coal in Elmira, in 1860, the year prior to our arrange¬
ment, and in 1861, the first year of the arrangement.
We have no monopoly of the coal trade. On the contra¬
ry, ive are and always have been in active and earnest compe¬
tition with the companies and coal merchants who supply
the markets in NeAv England, Eastern New York, and the
whole sea coast. They have been and are seeking to un¬
dersell us in the interior and Avestern parts of this state
and the western states. They have repeatedly been before
the canal board asking and insisting that tolls on coal go¬
ing west from tide-Avater should be reduced or abandoned,
and promising, in that event, to undersell us in Syracuse,
Rochester, Buffalo and the western markets. Any undue
rise in prices on our part, would have the same effect, and
would bring our competitors into those markets against
us, and would cut off the large trade now flowing through
the Chemung canal and its connections. Our competitors
are rich and powerful, and it is only by uniting our capi¬
tal and enterprise that we arc able to successfully compete
with them.
C. F. WELLES,
J. LANGDON.
[The tables of figures referred to in the above statement, will be found annexed after
the close of Mr. Robinson's remarks.]
Mr. Robinson continued his remarks as folloAvs :
Such is the statement, Gentlemen, which Avas rejected
by the Committee. Taken together Avith the testimony
previously given by the accused parties, it shoAvs the
truth and the Avhole truth. It discloses every thing and
conceals nothing. There Avas nothing to conceal. Why
Avas it rejected if truth was what the Committee Avere
seeking ? Y\ as it not because it shoAved all the accusa¬
tions which have been so often made to be utterly ground¬
less. and completely o vert-hrf w the case sought to be es¬
tablished ?
The very essence of the complaint against mv clients,
17
the only material point in it, is that they have entered in¬
to a combination to raise the price of coal. The whole
case shows clearly and indisputably that they have done
no such thing, and that the charge is wholly and abso¬
lutely untrue. The tables accompanying the statement
are all sworn to, and they show that instead of raising the
price of coal, it has been kept lower in the markets sup¬
plied by these parties, in proportion to distance and the
cost of transportation, than in any other coal markets in
the country. This fact alone takes the whole life out of
these charges. And yet, this Investigating Committee
reject the sworn tables of figures which prove it.
Mr. Hoyt here interposed and said that the tables were
rejected because they were sworn to before Notaries and-
not before the Committee.
Mr. Robinson.—Then why, let me ask, were they not
sworn to before the Committee ? The names and residen¬
ces of the persons making them were given ? They are
men of the highest respectability. There can be no doubt
that they would say before the Committee what they had
said in their affidavits. Why then were they not sub¬
poenaed to testify to these vital facts ? The Committee
had power to send for persons and papers. No one else
had that power. No one else could issue a subpoena.
The State was put to a large expense in bringing men here
upon the subpoena of the Committee to testify against my
clients and many were brought who knew nothing materi¬
al upon the subject. But the men who swore to these ta¬
bles containing the facts and figures which went to the
root of the whole matter, were not sent for, and their affi¬
davits were rejected. And this too, after an affidavit
made by Mr. Simmons, at Rochester, had been received
without objection, and is published as part of the testi¬
mony. Comment upon such proceedings would be super¬
fluous.
To return to the subject of the price of coal,, let me.say
that the whole clamor has arisen, not because my clients
o
o
18
sell too high, but because they sell too low. By combin¬
ing their capital ; by owning or leasing their coal mines ;
by mining their own coal, instead of buying it; by em¬
ploying their boats steadily from the commencement to
the close of the season, and by practicing a rigid economy
in all their operations, they are able to sell, and they do
sell coal at lower prices than the Eastern companies or the
smaller dealers with limited means can. Hence, we hear
from those companies and dealers the cry of "monopoly."
Let prices be raised so that they can sell and make money,
and the cry will instantly cease.
The price of coal, like the prices of all other commodi¬
ties, has risen under the influence of our vicious and infla¬
ted paper currency. It was natural and inevitable that it
should do so ; but a careful examination will show that it
has not risen any more, nor so much even, as other com¬
modities generally.
And again, the retailers of coal in various localities, for
whose operations my clients are in no way responsible,
have in some cases, charged enormous profits, and ex¬
cused themselves to their customers by - falsely ascribing
the high prices to the extortions of the "monopolists."
Now, Gentlemen, can any thing be more preposterous
than the pretence that the coal men in our part of the
State have a monopoly of the coal trade ? The facts all
show that they have not, and cannot have any such thing.
A monopoly means a control of the whole market. Have
they any such control ? Are they not here to-day as they
have been here frequently before in competition with all
the Eastern companies who promise to undersell them if
you will take off their tolls. Can they rai'se their prices
then to the extent even of this trifling amount of toll,
without at once bringing their competitors into the Wes¬
tern markets against them ? Is it not grossly absurd to
call this a monopoly ?
The coal from Scranton, Wilkesbarre, Pittston and other
points in Pennsylvania, comes over nearly parallel lines to
19
Binghamton, Utica, Syracuse, Ithaca and Elmira. The
parties engaged in this great and increasing trade, in order
to secure harmony among themselves; to avoid mutual
destruction, and to enable them to compete with their
powerful Eastern rivals, have made a fair agreement
among themselves on the same principle that the great,
parallel Railroad lines from East to West make annual ar¬
rangements with each other in regard to running their
respective lines, with the same motives. To pursue any
different course would be to engage in a struggle which
© O oo
could not fail to ruin the companies and ultimately to
greatly injure the public at large.
Much stress has been laid upon the fact that the Tunc-
tion Canal Company exact a toll of 2 \ cents per ton per
mile from occasional shippers of coal. I am informed
that the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company charge to
all outsiders eight cents per ton per mile. And j^et you
are asked to levy tolls to especially favor the latter com¬
pany and damage the former.
The majority of the Committee recommend that the
State purchase the Junction Canal. No objection will be
interposed to that. There has never been a day since
that canal was constructed when it has not been at the ser¬
vice of the State, if it chose to take it. Seven years ago,
when I was a member of the Legislature, the owners ot it
requested me to offer, and on their behalf I did offer it to
the State for one-half its cost, and I am informed that it
can now be had, if the State wish it, at twenty-five per
cent below its actual cost; and we all know how much
less a canal costs when built by private individuals than
when built by the State.
Finally, after all that has been said about "monopoly"
and "combination," and after all that can be said about
the form and substance of the agreement between the
parties, the question comes back, what was its intention
and practical effect ? Certainly its intention was not to
raise the price of coal, and certainly it did not have that
20
effect. The parties would not have done it if they could,
and they could not if they would. There never has
been a time when prices were or could be arbitrarily or
capriciously fixed by them. On the contrary the prices
have uniformly been regulated by the large sales made
openly by the Scranton Company, at public auction in
the ciiy of New York, the largest coal market on the con¬
tinent, and where all the eastern companies compete for
the trade. The western wholesale prices are uniform¬
ly made somewhat lower than the New York auction
prices, and where retail yards are established the retail
prices are only just so much higher than the wholesale as
to pay the actual cost of transportation and handling. Is
it possible for any thing to be fairer than this? Could
any thing more be done to guard against unreasonable
prices ? And was there ever a more unjust and ground¬
less clamor raised against enterprising business men who,
whilst conferring great benefits upon the people and the
public works, are receiving no more than a fair return
for their labor, their enterprise, the vast amount of cap¬
ital required, and the great risk incurred? And sup¬
pose that those who have been imposed upon by this
false cry of "monopoly," should succeed in breaking down
the accused parties and destroying the advantages which
they have for furnishing cheap coal, can any sane man
doubt that the efleet must be and would be to immedi¬
ately raise prices far above the present scale ? You
see by the facts before you that there could be no oth¬
er result.
After the discussion was closed the Canal Board, with¬
out a dissenting vote, fixed the tolls at the same rate as
for 1866. Thus, for the fifth time, has the proposition
for discriminating tolls been emphatically rejected.
21
Retail Prices of Coal, in New York City, from January 1st, 1859,
to March 18th, 1867.
1859.
I860.
1861.
1862.
1863.
1864.
186
1866.
1867.
January..
$5
25
$6
00
$5
50
$5
00
$8
50
$10
50
$12
00
$12
50
$8 50
February.
5
25
5
50
5
50
5
00
8
00
10
50
12
00
12
50
8 50
March ...
5
25
5
50
5
50
5
00
8
00
10
00
14
00
11
00
8 50
April ....
5
25
5
50
5
50
5
00
7
50
10
00
12
00
9
00
May
5
25
5
50
5
50
5
00
7
50
10
00
10
00
8
50
June
5
25
5
50
5
50
6
00
7
50
11
00
9
00
8
50
July
5
25
5
50
5
50
6
00
9
50
14
00
8
50
8
50
August.. .
Sept'r....
5
25
5
50
5
25
6
50
8
50
14
00
9
50
8
50 i
5
25
5
50
5
00
6
50
8
50
13
00
10
50
8
50
October...
5
25
5
50
5
00
7
00
9
50
10
50
13
00
8
50
Nov'r... .
5
50
5
50
5
00
8
00
12
00
11
50
13
00
8
50
Dec'r....
5
50
5
50
5
00
8
00
11
00
11
50
13
00
8
50
City and County of New York :
Personally appeared before me, George C. Farrar, Coal Merchant, of
the city of New York, who swears that the within is a correct list of
the Retail Prices at which Coal has been sold during each month, since
the first day of January, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and
fifty-nine, up to the present time, as particularly set for in the within
statement.
GEO. C. FARRAR.
Sworn at the city of New York, the 18tli )
day of March, 1867, before me. \
Charles Edwards,
Notary Public, 43 Pine St., N. Y.
22
Wholesale Current Pktcks of Coal Delivered at Port Ewen
and Newburgh.
DATE.
1850.
January..
February..
March .
April ..
May...
June...
July...
August.
Septemb' r
October..
Novemb'r
December
1860.
January..
February..
March .
April.,
May....
June...
July....
xlugust.
Septemb1 r
October. .
Kovemb1 r
December
1861.
January..
February..
March .
April..
May....
June...
July...
August.
Septemb'r
October..
Novemb'r
December
1862.
January..
February.
March..
April.,
May ...
June...
July....
August.
Lump.
SUrner.
$3 80
I
|
i
$3 90 1
3 80
3 90
3 50
3 60
3 50
3 60
3 00
3 10
3 00
3 10
3 20
3 30
3 25
3 35
3 35
3 45
3 35
3 45
3 35
3 45
3 35
3 45
3 70
3 80
3 70
3 80
3 50
3 60
3 50
3 60
3 25
3 35
3 30
3 40
3 35
3 45
3 40
3 50
3 50
3 60
3 60
3 70
3 70
3 80
3 70
3 80
3 70
3 80
3 70
3 80
3 70
3 80
3 70
3 80
3 25
3 35
3 30
3 40
3 35
3 45
3 40
3 50
3 40
3 50
3 50
3 60
3 60
3 70
3 70
3 80
3 70
3 80
3 70
3 80
3 00
3 10
3 00
3 10
3 10
3 20
3 10
3 20
4 10
4 20
4 40
4 50
$3 95
8 95
3 65
3 65
3 15
3 15
3 85
3 40
3 50
3 50
8 50
3 50
3 80
3 80
3 65
3 65
8 40
45
50
55
3
3
3
3 65
3 75
3 85
3 85
3 85
3 85
3 85
3 85
3 40
3 45
3 50
55
55
3 65
3 75
3 85
3
3
3 85
3 85
3 15
3 15
3 25
3 25
4 25
4 55
$4 25
! 4 25
3 30
3 30
3 50"
3 55
3 65
3 65
3 65
3 65
3 80
3 80
3 70
3 70
3 50
3 55
3 60
3 65
3 75
3 85
3 95
3 90
3 90
3 90
3 90
3 90
3 50
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
55
60
65
65
75
80
85
85
85
20
20
30
30
30
60
$4 25
4 25
3 50
3
70
3
75
3
80
3
85
3
95
4
05
4
15
4
10
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
3 50
3 60
3 65
3 75
3 80
3 90
3 90
10
10
10
10
70
3 75
3 80
3 85
3 85
3 95
00
00
00
00
35
35
45
45
45
75
j>3 45
3 45
2 75
2 75
2 90
2 95
3 00
3 05
3 05
3 05
Where
Delivered.
Port Ewen.
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
3 10
do
3 10
do
3 00
do
3 00
do
2 85
do
2 90
do
2 95
do
3 00
do
3 10
do
3 20
do
3 30
do
3 10
do
3 10
do
3 10
do
3 10
do
3 10
do
2 85
do
2 90
do
2 95
do
3 00
do
2 80
do
2 80
do
2 90
do
2 90
do
2 90
do
2 90
do
2 60
do
2 60
do
2 50
do
2 50
do
3 30
do
3 30
do
23
Wholesale Current Prices of Coal, &c.— Continued.
DATE.
Lump.
St'mer.
Broken.
Egg.
Stove.
Ch'nut,
Where
Delivered.
1862. .
September..
$4 70
$4 80
$4 85
$4 90
$5 05
$3 50
Port Ewen
October ....
5 10
5 20
5 25
5 30
5 45
3 70
do
do 15
5 50
5 60
5 65
5 70
5 85
4 10
do
November 1
6 00
6 10
6 15
6 20
6 35
4 50
do
do 20
6 50
6 60
6 65
6 70
6 85
5 00
do
December 24
7 00
7 10
7 15
do
. 1863
January....
7 00
7 10
7 15
do
February...
7 00
7 10
7 15
do
March
7 00
7 10
7 15
do
April
7 00
7 10
7 5
do
May 8
5 75
5 85
5 90
5 95
6 10
5 25
do
do 23
6 00
6 10
6 15
6 20
6 35
5 50
do
June
6 25
6 35
6 40
6 45
6 60
5 75
do
July
6 50
6 60
6 65
6 70
6 85
6 00
do
August
6 50
6 60
6 65
6 70
6 85
6 00
do
September..
6 50
6 60
6 65
6 70
6 85
6 00
clo
October....
7 25
7 35
7 40
7 45
7 60
6 25
do
November..
7 75
7 85
7 90
7 95
8 10
6 50
do
December .,
7 75
7 85
7 90
7 95
8 10
6 50
do
1864.
January
7 75
7 85
7 90
7 95
8 10
6 50
do
February...
7 75
7 85
7 90
7 95
8 10
6 50
do
March
7 75
7 85
7 90
7 95
8 10
6 75
Newburgh.
April
7 75
7 85
7 90
7 95
8 10
6 75
do
May
8 35
8 45
8 50
8 60
8 75
7 60
do
June—
8 60
8 70
8 75
8 85
9 00
7 85
do
do 25
9 10
9 20
9 25
9 35
9 50
8 35
do
July 1
9 85
9 95
10 00
10 10
10 25
9 10
clo
do 25
10 60
10 70
10 75
10 85
11 00
9 85
do
August
11 60
11 70
11 75
11 85
12 00
10 85
do
Septemberl2
11 10
11 20
11 25
11 35
11 50
10 35
do
October 18.
10 10
10 20
10 25
10 35
10 50
9 00
do
November..
10 10
10 20
10 25
10 35
10 50
9 10
do
December..
10 10
10 20
10 25
10 35
10 50
9 10
1865.
do
January..
10 10
10 20
10 25
10 35
10 50
9 10
do
Febuuary'..".
10 75
10 85
10 90
11 00
11 15
10 00
do
March 15...
11 30
11 40
11 45
11 55
11 70
10 00
do
April 10....
10 50
10 60
10 60
10 60_
10 60
8 50
do
May
7 50
7 60
7 65
7 75
7 90
6 85
do
June—.... .
6 75
6 85
6 90
7 00
7 15
6 00
do
do 28
6 80
6 90
6 95
7 05
7 20
6 25
do
July 26
6 85
6 95
7 00
7 10
7 25
6 30
do
August 5...
7 00
7 10
7 15
7 25
7 40
6 45
do
do 8...
7 15
7 25
7 30
7 40
7 55
6 60
do
do 25...
7 85
7 95
8 00
8 10
8 25
7 30
do
24
Wholesale Current Prices of Coal, &c.— Continued.
DATE.
Lump.
St'mer.
Broken.
Egg.
Stove.
Ch'nut.
Where
Delivered?
1865.
September—.
$8 85
$8 95
$9 00
$9 10
$9 25
$8 30
Ncwburgli
do 18.
9 85
9 95
10 00
10 10
10 25
9 30
do
October 4 . .
11 50
11 60
11 65
11 80
12 00
10 40
do
do 25
11 00
11 20
11 40
12 00
12 00
10 40
do
November...
11 00
11 20
11 40
12 00
12 00
10 40
do
December 11.
10 30
10.55
10 60
10 70
10 80
9 80
do
1866.
January 2... .
9 80
10 05
10 05
10 25
10 30
8 80
do
February 21..
8 25
8 50
8 50
8 50
8 75
7 25
do
March 1....
7 50
7 75
7 75
7 75
8 00
7 25
do
do 12....
7 00
7 25
7 25
7 25
7 50
6 75
do
do 22....
6 75
7 00
7 00
7 00
7 25
6 50
do
April
6 75
7 00
7 00
7 00
7 25
6 50
do
May
6 75
7 00
7 00
7 00
7 25
6 50
do
J une
6 75
7 00
7 00
7 00
7 25
6 50
do
July 18
6 75
6 85
6 90
7 00
7 25
6 00
do
August
6 75
6 85
6 90
7 00
7 25
6 00
do
September.. .
6 75
6 85
6 90
7 00
7 25
6 00
do
October 12...
6 25
6 35
6 40
6 50
6 75
5 00
do
November 21
6 00
6 10
6 15
6 25
6 50
5 00
do
December 1..
6 25
6 35
6 40
6 50
6 75
5 50
do
1867.
•T anuary
6 25
6 35
6 40
6 50
6 75
5 50
do
February 18..
5 20
5 30
5 35
5 45
5 70
4 40
do
Edward P. Bement, being duly sworn, deposes that the annexed
statement of prices of Coal at Port Ewen and Newburgli, as sold by the
Pennsylvania Coal Company, was made from figures obtained from rec¬
ords at office of said Company, and that to the best of his belief and
knowledge it is correct.
EDWARD P. BEMENT.
Sworn to before me, this )
18th day of March, 1867. j
W. D. Waldington,
Notary Public.
Add Freight from Port Ewen and Newburgh, say fifty-one cents, to New York City,
and you have the wholesale cost at New York.
25
Wholsale Prices of Coal at Elizabethport, N. J.
Lump.
Steamboat.
Grate.
Egg.
Stove.
1860.
January
$3 40
$3 45
$3 70
$3 79
$3 90
February
3 47
3 48
3 60
3 78
4 00
March
3 42
3 45
3 53
3 72
3 83
April
3 41
3 36
3 44
3 55
3 73
May
3 34
3 31
3 39
3 53
3 71
June
3 34
3 34
3 38
3 52
3 70
July
3 36
3 38
3 43
3 57
3 78
August
3 38
3 36
3 50
3 53
3 82
September
3 38
3 40
3 49
3 54
3 87
October
3 43
3 47
3 58
3 63
3 94
November
3 41
3 46
3 54
3 78
4 00
December
3 44
3 42
3 53
3 78
3 93
1861.
January. .
3 52
3 55
3 52
3 82
3 95
February
3 53
3 62
3 61
3 72
4 03"
March
3 47
3 50
3 49
3 60
3 80
April
3 33
3 40
3 42
3 44
3 71
May
3 32
3 37
3 36
3 53
3 71
June
3 31
3 32
3 36
3 46
3 71
July
3 28
3 32
3 40
3 50
3 73
August
3 32
3 29
3 42
3 51
3 72
September
3 33
3 28
3 41
3 55
3 71
October
3 31
3 41
3 38
3 52
3 62
November
3 38
3 38
3 43
3 48
3 59
December
3 37
3 40
3 40
3 45
3 60
1862.
J anuary
3 42
3 42
3 41
3 44
3 50
Eebruary.....
3 53
3 44
3 44
" 3 51
3 60
March
3 34
3 46
3 42
3 44
3 52
April
3 13
3 21
3 22
3 30
3 42
May
3 14
3 23
3 25
3 31
3 41
June
3 47
3 49
3 33
3 24
3 44
July
3 68
3 82
3 59
3 67
3 75
August
3 47
3 72
3 64
3 79
4 04
September
3 64
4 05
3 75
3 86
4 15
October
3 50
3 76
4 15
4 62
4 41
November
3 67
4 39
3 90
4 34
4 68
December
3 71
4 39
4 08
4 28
4 51
1963.
January
3 68
5 45
4 47
4 75
5 22
February
.3 99
5 62
4 92
4 76
5 43
March
5 00
5 43
5 39
5 34
5 82
April
5 34
5 40
5 44
5 38
5 54
May
5 55
5 67
5 87
5 68
5 GO
J une
5 54
5 78
5 74
5 96
6 11
July
5 54
5 82
6 12
6 22
6 47
4
26
Wholesale Current Prices of Coal, &c.— Continued.
August ..
September
October ..
November
December
January .
February
March
April ....
May
June ....
July ... .
August ..
September
October ..
November
December
1864.
1865.
January..
February .
March ...
April ....
May ....
June ....
July . ...
August ..
September
October ..
November
December
1866.
January ..
February
March.
April ....
May ......
June
July
August.. .
September
October ..
November
December.
Lump.
Steamboat.
Grate.
Egg.
Stove
$5762
*$5 92 *
$6 10
$6 54
$6 39
6 09
6M3 '
6 08
6;j4
6 77
6 32
6 51
6 58
708
7 27
6 60
6™92 "
6 79 •
7 80
j 8 53
5 91
6^84 ~
6 66
W- ,1:
8 64
8 92
VI
6 89
7 38
7 10
7 74
8 40
6 42
7 27
7 27
7 60
*7 89
6 36
7 17
7 37
7 67
8107
7 42
7 63
7 68
7 92
1|8':06
7 60
7 59
7 78
8 16
' 8 26
7 60
7 82
8 12
8 19
8 65
7 85
8 21
8 54
8 81
8 25
8 32
10 31
9 76
10 0b
*10 10
9 05
10 08
9 77 •
10 41
9 69
7 78
8 57
8 67
8 35
8 54
7 56
8 57
8 37
8 88
9 13
7 90
8 65
8 86
8 80
9 53
8 39
8 93
9 25
8 88
9 70
8 63
9 06
9 63
9 04
9 78
8 25
9 15
9 72
9 74
10 14
9 09
9 39
9 22
7 38
9 64
8 19
9 67
7 23
7 33
7 60
7 50
7 39
7 05
6 68
6 86
7 50
7 28
6 70
6 70
6 88
7 78
7 18
6 66
6 81
6 93
8 51
9 00
7 18
6 94
7 07
9 00
10 09
8 82
9 91
9 57
9 75
9 89
10 30
10 75
10 72
9 20
9 33
9 08
9 40
10 37
9 08
9 14
8 87
8 60
9 33
8 81
9 03
8 70
8 34
9 59
7 59
8 09
7 87
7 13
8 22
5 84
6 04
6 48
6 22
7 03
6 08
6 31
6 55
6 58
6 81
G 17
6 37
6 67
6 60
6 65
6 18
6 65
6 83
6 77
6 97
6 33
6 56
6 52
6 71
7 11
5 83
5 57
5 47
5 62
6 86
5 02
5 19
5 20
5 53
6 54
4 83
5 36
5 38
5 60
6 35
4 50
5 19
5 20
5 13
5 36
To the-e Pii -esstdci Freight from Elv.abethport to New York, say fifty cemS, and you have wholesale
prices in New York city.
T certify that the within is a correct transcript and copy taken from
the books of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Com.
pany. C. H. MASON.
Sworn before me, March 18, 1867.
S. B. Chittenden, Jr., Notary Public,
• _ City and County of New York.
27
EXHIBIT A.
Wholesale Prices of Coal at Rondout, 1859.
SIZES.
F. Lump.
S. Lump.
Grate....
Egg
Stove ...
Chestnut.
May.
June.
•
July.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
$3 25
$3 25
#3 35
#3 35
$3 45
$3 45
$3 65
$3 55
3 30
3 30
3 40
3 40
3 50
3 50
3 60
3 60
3 40
3 40
3 50
3 50
3 60
3 60
3 70
3 70
3 50
3 50
3 60
3 60
3 70
3 70
3 80
3 80
3 60
3 60
3 70
3 70
3 80
3 80
3 90
3 90
2 85
2 85
2 95
2 95
3 05
3 05
3 15
3 15
Prices of Coal, &c., 18G0.
SIZES.
F. Lump,
S. Lump,
Grate,
Egg, ....
Stove,...
Chestnut,
May.
June.
July.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
$3 30
$3 30
$3 45
$3 45
$3 60
#3 60
S3 75
$3 75
3 40
3 40
3 55
3 55
3 70
3 70
" 3 85
3 85
3 45
3 45
3 60
3 60
3 75
3 75
3 90
3 90
3 55
3 55
3 70
3 70
3 85
3 85
4 00
4 00
3 70
3 70
3 85
3 85
4 00
4 00
4 00
4 15
2 80
2 80
2 90
2 90
3 00
3 00
3 10
3 10
Prices of Coal, &c., 1861.
SIZES.
May.
June.
July.
Aug.
Sept.
•
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
F. Lump,
$3 30
$3 30
$3
45
$3 45
$3 60
$3 60
#3 75
m 75
S. Lump,
3 40
3 40
3
55
3 55
3 70
3 70
3 85
3 85
Grate,...
3 45
3 45
3
60
3 60
3 75
3 75
3 90
3 90
Egg,
3 55
3 55
3
70
3 70
3 85
3 85
4 00
4 60
Stove, ...
3 70
3 70
3
85
3 85
4 00
4 00
4 15
4 15
Chestnut,
2 85
2 85
3
00
3 00
3 15
3 15
3 25
3 25
Prices of Coal, &c., 1862.
SIZES.
May.
June.
July.
Aug.
Sept. ■
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
F. Lump,
$3 30
$3 30
$3 40
$3 40
$3 55
$3 55
$3 70
$3 70
S. Lump,
3 35
3 35
3 45
3 45
3 60
3 60
3 75
3 75
Grate,. ..
3 35
3 35
3 45
3 45
3 60
3 60
3 75
3 75
Egg,
3 45
3 45
3 55
3 55
3 65
3 65
3 80
3 80
Stove, ...
3 55
3 55
3 65
3 65
3 75
3 75
3 95
3 95
Chestnut,
2 60
2 60
2 70
2 70
2 80
2 80
2 90
2 90
Tonnage,
3 25
3 26
3 36
3 36
3 49
3 49
3 61
3 64
Prices of Coal, &c., 1863.
SIZES.
F. Lump,
S. Lump,
Grate,...
Egg,
Stove,
Chestnut,
May.
June.
July.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
$5 50
$ 5 50
#5 50
85 50
$5 50
85 50
85 50
85 50
5 50
5 50
5 50
5 50
5 50
5 50
5 50
-5 00
5 90
6 10
6 25
6 25
6 50
7 25
8 00
8 00
5 90
6 20
6 40
6 40
6 80
7 75
8 75
8 75
5 90
6 30
6 50
6 50
7 00
7 85
9 50
9 50
5 90
5 90
B 00
6 00
5 75
6 00
6 25
6 25
28
Prices of Coal, &c., 1864.
Sizes.
May.
June.
July.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
F. Lump
$7 00
$7
00
$7 00
$7 00
$7 00
$7 00
$7 00
$7 00
S. Lump
7 00
7
00
7 00
7 00"
7 00
7 00
7 00
7 00
Grate
7 00
8
50
9 75
11 00
10 50
8 50
9 00
9 00
Egg
8 00
8
50
10 00
11 25
10 75
8 50
9 50
9 50
Stove
8 50
0
00
10 25
12 00
11 50
8 75
9 50
9 50
Chestnut....
7 75
8
25
9 25
10 25
10 00
7 25
8 50
8 50
Prices of Coal, dc. 1865.
Sizes.
F. Lump....
S. Lump....
Grate
Egg
Stove
Chestnut...
May.
June.
July.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
$10 00
$6 70
$6 90
$10 00
$10 50
$10 56
10 00
0 80
6 90
10 25
11 00
11 00
7 50
6 90
6 90
10 50
11 25
11 25
7 75*
7 00
7 00
10 50
11 50
11 50
8 00
7 00
7 00
10 75
11 75
11 75
6 50
6 00
6 25
9 75
10 25
10 25
Prices of Coal, &c., 1866.
Sizes.
May.
June.
July.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
F. Lump
$3 50
$6 50
$6 75
$6 75
16 00
$6 00
$5 75
$5 75
S. Lump
G 75
6 75
7 00
6 75
5 75
5 75
6 00
6 00
Grate
6 75
0 75
7 15
7 00
5 75
5 75
6 00
6 00
E
••••••
6 75
6 75
7 25
7 00
6 00
6 00
6 25
6 25
Stove
7 10
7 10
7 50
7 50
7 00
7 00
7 00
7 00
Chestnut....
5 75
5 75
6 00
5 75
5 75
5 75
5 75
5 75
STATE OF NEW YORK, >
City and County of New York, 5 1 '
James C. Hartt, being duly sworn, deposes and says, that he is Sales
Agent for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, that he has care¬
fully examined the list of prices of Coal at JEtondout for the several
years mentioned in the schedule hereunto annexed, marked "Exhibit A,"
for identification, that said list of prices is true and accurate to the best
of this deponent's knowledge and belief.
JAS. C. HARTT.
Sworn to before me, this 18th day of March, 1867.
Edward F. Brown,
Notary Public in and for the City and County of New York.
To these Prices, add Freight from Roundout to New York, say in 1864,1865 and 1866,
ahout seventy cents, and you have wholesale prices in New York City.
29
Statement of Wholesale Prices of Anthracite Coal in Elmira
from 1858 to 1867.
DATE.
Size.
WhTsle
Price.
Retail
Price.
DATE.
Size.
| WhTsle
1 Price.
Retail
Price.
1858.
_ 1868.
January...
Lump..
84 20
July ....
Lump .
84 20
84 25
Broken.
4 17
Broken.
3 52
4 25
Egg....
4 30
Egg, • •
3 41
4 25
Stove...
4 17
Stove .
3 42
4 25
Nut ...
3 57
Nut ...
2 71
3 75
February .
Lump. .
4 23
August ..
Lump .
4 04
3 50
Broken.
4 17
Broken.
3 37
3 50
Egg...
4 07
Egg, • • •
3 25
3 50
Stove .
4 00
Stove .
3 18
3 50
Nut ...
3 28
Nut ...
2 79
3 00
March....
Lump ,
4 23
September
Lump .
3 64
3 50
Broken.
4 17
Broken.
3 24
3 50
Egg,...
3 81
Egg,...
3 18
3 50
Stove, .
3 87
Stove .
3 11
3 50
Nut ...
3 33
Nut ...
2 50
3 00
April
Lump .
4 26
84 25
October..
Lump .
3 35
3 50
Broken.
3 69
4 25
Broken.
3 00
3 50
Egg,...
3 75
4 25
Egg,...
2 93
3* 50
Stove, .
3 75
4 25
Stove .
3 12
3 50
Nut ...
3 25
3 75
Nut ...
2 13
3 00
May
Lump .
4 20
4 25
November
Lump .
3 35
3 50
Broken:
3 69
4 25
Broken.
3 25
3 50
Egg, ..
3 75
4 25
TcO'CP
• • •
3 31
3 50
Stove, .
3 63
4 25
Stove .
2 75
3 50
Nut ...
3 00
3 75
Nut ...
2 50
3 00
June
Lump .
4 20
4 25
December.
Lump .
3 25
3 50
Broken.
3 77
4 25
Broken.
3 00
3 50
Ecrcr
3 63
4 25
Egg,...
3 13
3 50
Stove, .
3 35
4 25
Stove .
2 98
3 50
Nut ...
2 63
3 75
Nut ..
2 50
3 00
1859.
January,:
February,.
Lump .
Broken.
Eoc
• • •
Stove, .
Nut ...
Lump .
Broken.
Stove, .
Nut ...
|3 25
3 11
3 13
3 00
2 50
3 25
'3 00
3 13
3 13
2 40
|3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
€ 50
3 50
3 50
5 50
3 00
1859.
March ...
April....
Lump .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove .
Nut ...
Lump .
Broken.
Egg, •..
Stove .
Nut ...
|3 00
3 00
3 25
3 00
2 40
3 00
3 00
3 00
3 00
2 50
|3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
30
Statement op Wholesale Prices, &c.— Continued.
DATE.
Size.
Wh'wale
Price.
Retail
Price.
DATE.
Size.
Wh'enle
Price.
Retail
Paice.
1859..
1859..
May
Lump .
$3 50
$3 50
September
Lump .
$3 00
$3 50
Broken.
3 00
3 50
Broken.
3 10
3 50
Egg, ..
2 93
3 50
Egg, • •
3 25
3 50
Stove, .
3 50
3 50
Stove, .
3 45
3 50
Nut .. .
2 25
3 00
Nut,...
2 75
3 00
J une,
Lump .
3 00
3 50
October, .
Lump, .
3 00
3 50
Broken.
3 00
3 50
Broken.
3 10
3 50
Egg,...
3 00
3 50
Egg,...
3 25
3 50
Stove, .
3 00
3 50
Stove, .
3 45
3 50
Nut . ..
2 25
3 00
Nut,...
2 60
3 00
July
Lump .
2 90
3 50
November
Lump, .
3 25
3 50
Broken.
3 00
3 50
Broken.
3 15
3 50
Egg, •..
3 15
3 50
Egg, •. •
3 35
3 50 v
Stove, .
3 35
3 50
Stove, .
3 50
3 50
Nut ...
2 85
3 00
Nut,...
2 60
3 00
August,...
Lump .
3 00
3 50
December
Lump, .
3 40
3 50
m
Br6ken.
3 00
3 50
Broken.
3 20
3 50
Egg,...
3 20
3 50
Egg,. •
3 40
3 50
Stove, .
3 40
3 50
Stove, .
3 55
3 50
Nut ...
2 90
3 00
Nut,.. .
2 60
3 00
I860..
Janur.ry,..
February .
•
March ....
April
Lump .
Broken.
Egg, •..
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lump .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lump .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lump .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,...
$3 10
3 00
3 35
3 50
2 30
3 10
3 00
3 40
3 50
2 30
3 10
3 05
3 20
3 25
2 30
3 10
3 25
3 00
3 25
2 30
$3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
1860.
May
June,....
J uly,....
August ..
Lump, .
Broken.
Egg,.. .
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lump, .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lump, .
Broken.
Egg,.. •
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lmrrtp .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,...
$3 10
3 00
3 00
3 00
2 20
3 10
3 00
2 75
3 15
2 25
3 00
3 25
2 50
3 00
2 15
3 00
2 50
2 70
2 70
2 15
$3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 50
3 00
tail
ice.
50
50
50
50
00
50
50
50
50
00
75
75
75
75
25
75
75
75
75
25
75
75
75
75
25
00
00
00
00
50
00
00
00
00
50
00
00
00
00
50
31
rEMENT of Wholesale Prices, &c.— Continued.
Ci ryCk
Wh'sale
Retail
oize.
.
Pric e;
Price.
1
Lump..
$2 6o
$3 50
Broken.
2 40
3 50
Egg;...
2 60
3 50
Stove..
2 60
3 50
Nut....
2 00
3 00
Lump..
2 65
3 50
Broken.
2 60
3 50
Egg ..•
2 80
3 50
Stove..
2 70
3 50
Nut
2 10
3 00
Lump..
$2 70
$3 50
Broken.
8 00
3 50
Egg...
3 00
3 50
Stove..
3 00
3 50
Nutv..
2 50
3 00
Lump..
2 70
3 50
Broken.
3 20
3 50
Egg • •.
3 20
3 50
Stove..
3 25
3 50
Nut....
2 79
3 00
Lump..
2 70
3 50
Broken.
3 25
3 50
Egg •..
3 20
3 50
Stove..
3 25
3 50
Nut....
2 70
3 00
Lump..
2 70
3 50
Broken.
2 80
3 50
Egg•..
3 15
3 50
Stove..
3 00
3 50
Nut
2 70
3 00
Lump..
2 75
3 50
Broken.
3 00
3 50
Egg •..
3 00
3 50
Stove..
3 15
3 50
Nut ...
•
2 50
3 00
Lump..
2 70
3 75
Broken.
2 90
3 75
Egg •.•
3 05
3 75
Stove..
3 20
3 75
Nut....
2 50
3 25
DATE.
Size..
1860.
1861.
July. ..
August,..
Septemb'r
October.
November
December
Lump..
$2 70
Broken.
3 00
Egg••.
2 75
Stove..
2 90
Nut....
2 30
Lump..
2 70
Broken.
2 80
2 75
Stove..
2 60
Nut
2 50
Lump..
$2 85
Broken.
2 95
Egg-..
3 10
Stove..
3 25
Nut....
2 60
Lump..
2 90
Broken.
3 00
Eo-g-
3 15
Stove..
3 30
Nut....
2 65
Lump..
2 95
Broken.
3 05
Egg...
3 20
Stove..
3 35
Nut
2 70
Lump..
3 00
Broken.
3 10
Egg .. •
3 25
Stove..
3 40
Nut...
2 75
Lump..
3 05
Broken.
3 15
Egg ...
3 30
Stove..
3 45
Nut
2 80
Lump..
3 10
Broken.
3 20
Egg • •-
3 35
Stove..
3 50
Nut....
2 85
32
Statement of Wholesale Prices, &c.— Continued.
DATE.
Size.
WIT pale
Price.
Retail
Price.
DATE.
Size.
WIT sale
Price.
Retail
Price.
1802.
18G2.
January.. .
Lump .
$3 15
$4' 00
July
Lump .
$3 40
$4 50
Broken.
3 25
4 00
Broken.
3 50
4 50
Egg • ••
3 40
4 00
Eo-rr
3 65
4 50
Stove .
3 55
4 00
Stove .
3 80
4 50
Nut,.. .
2 90
3 50
Nut,...
3 15
4 oo;
February...
Lump .
3 20
4 00
August.. .
Lump .
3 45
4 50
Broken.
3 30
4 00
Broken.
3 95
4 50
Egg • ••
3 45
4 00
Egg ..
3 95
4 50
Stove .
3 60
4 00
Stove .
3 95
4 50
Nut,...
2 95
3 50
Nut,.. .
3 20
4 00
March ....
Lump .
3 10
4 00
September.
Lump .
3 55
4 50
Broken.
3 40
4 00
Broken.
4 05
4 50
Egg ..•
3 55
4 00
Egg •..
4 05
4 50
Stove .
3 70
4 00
Stove .
4 05
4 50
Nut,...
3 05
3 50
Nut,...
3 30
4 00
April
Lump .
3 10
4 00
October.. .
Lump .
4 30
4 5j0
Broken.
3 50
4 00
Broken.
4 60
4 50
Egg -.•
3 55
4 00
Egg ...
4 60
4 50
Stove .
3 70
4 00
Stove .
4 60
4 50
Nut,. ..
3 05
3 50
Nut,...
3 85
4 00
May
Lump .
2 75
4 00
November.
Lump .
4 55
4 75
Broken.
2 85
-4 00
Broken.
4 85
4 75
Earsr...
"SO • '
3 00
4 00
Egg ...
4 85
4 75
Stove .
3 10
4 00
Stove .
4 85
4 75
Nut,...
3 55
8 50
Nut,.. .
4 10
4 25
June
Lump .
2 80
4 50
December .
Lump .
4 55
4 75
Broken.
2 90
4 50
Broken.
4 85
4 75
Rcru4
3 05
4 50
Egg .. •
4 85
4 75
Stove .
3 20
4 50
Stove .
4 85
4 75
Nut,..
2 55
4 00
Nut,.. .
4 10
4 25
18G3.
January...
February..
Lump .
Broken.
Terror
© © • • •
Stove .
Nut,...
Lump .
Broken-
73 ore
Stove .
Nut,...
$4 CO
4 90
4 90
4 90
4 15
4 60
4 90
4 90
4 90
4 15
$4 75
4 75
4 75
4 75
4 25
4 75
4 75
4 75
4 75
4 25
1862.
March
April
*
Lump .
Broken.
Eorr
• ••
Stove .
Nut,.. .
Lump .
Broken.
Egg ...
Stove .
Nut,..
$4 60
4 90
4 90
4 90
4 15
4 90
4 90
4 90
4 90
4 15
$4 75
4 75
4 75
4 75
4 25
4 75
4 75
4 75
4 75
4 25
33
Statement op Wholesale Prices, &c.— Continued.
DATE.
Size.
Wh'sale
Price.
Retail
Price.
DATE.
Size.
Wh'eale
Price.
Retail
Price.
1863
1863
May
Lump .
$4 60
$4 75
September
Lump .
$5 00
$5 75
Broken.
4 90
4 75
Broken.
5 30
5 75
Egg, ..
4 90
4 75
Egg, • •
5 55
5 75
Stove, .
4 90
4 75
Stove, .
5 55
5 75
Nut ...
4 35
4 25
Nut,...
4 75
5 25
J une,
Lump .
4 65
5 25
October, .
Lump, .
5 55
6 50
Broken.
4 95
5 25
Broken.
5 85
6 50
Egg, •:.
4 95
5 25
Egg,...
6 10
6 50
Stove, .
4 95
5 25
Stove, .
6 10
6 50
Nut ...
4 40
4 75
Nut,...
5 30
6 00
July
Lump .
4 90
5 75
November
Lump, .
6 05
7 00
Broken.
5 20
5 75
Broken.
6 35
7 00
Egg,...
5 20
5 75
Egg,.. •
6 60
7 00
Stove, .
5 20
5 75
Stove, .
6 60
7 00
Nut ...
4 65
5 25
Nut,...
5 80
6 50
August,...
Lump .
4 95
5 75
December
Lump,.
6 10
7 00
Broken.
5 25
5 75
Broken.
6 40
7 00
Egg, • • •
5 25
5 75
Egg,. .
6 65
7 00
Stove, .
5 25
5 75
Stove, .
6 65
7 00
Nut ...
4 70
5 25
Nut,.. .
5 85
6 50
1864
January,..
February .
March ....
April
Lump .
Broken.
Egg, • •.
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lump .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lump .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,.:.
Lump .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,...
$6 15
6 45
6 70
6 70
5 90
6 20
6 50
6 75
6 75
5 95
6 25
6 55
6 80
6 80
6 00
6 30
6 60
6 85
6 85
6 05
$7 00
7 00
7 00
7 00
6 50_
7 00
7 00
7 00
7 00
5 50
7 00
7 00
7 00
7 00
6 50
8 00
8 00
8 00
8 00
7 50
1864.
May
June,....
July,
August ..
Lump, .
Broken.
Egg,.. •
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lump, .
Broken.
Egg,.. •
Stove, .
Nut,...
Lump, .
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,.. .
Lump..
Broken.
Egg,...
Stove, .
Nut,...
$6 50
6 60
6 75
6 75
6 25
6 85
6 95
7 10
7 10
6 60
7 60
7 70
7 95
7 95
7 55
9 60
9 70
9 95
9 95
9 55
$8 00
8 00
8 00
8 00
7 50
8 50
8 50
8 50
8 50
8 00
8 75
8 75
8 75
8 75
8 25
11 00
11 00
11 00
11 00
10 50
tail
ice.
75
75
75
75
25
75
75
75
75
25
90
00
15
35
50
15
25
50
70
25
60
75
00
20
25
55
65
90
10
15
55
65
90
10
15
55
65
90
10
15
34
"EMENT op Wholesale Prices, &c.—Continued.
gi_e Wh'eale
Slze' I Price.
Lump..
Broken.
• • •
Stove..
Nut... .
Lump..
Broken.
Error
Stove..
Nut... .
Lump..
Broken.
Egg'. • •
Stove..
Nut... .
Lump,
Broken, j
Egg•••
Stove..
Nut... .
Lump..
Broken.
Egg•• ■
Stove..
Nut....
Lump..
Broken.
Egg • •.
Stove..
Nut
Lump..
Broken.
Egg • .•
Stove..
Nut .. .
Lump..
Broken.
Stove..
Nut
Retail
Price.
DATE.
Size.
Wh'eale
Price.
1864.
$9
65
11
50
N ovem ber I Lump..
$8
70
9
75
11
50
Broken.
8
80
10 00
11
50
Egg. .•
9
10
10 00
11
50
Stove..
9
50
9
60
11
00
Nut....
8
65
8
65
10
50
December
Lump..
.8
75
8
75
10
50
Broken.
8
85
9
00
10
50
Egg..•
9
15
9
00
10
50
Stove..
9
55
8
60
10
00
Nut....
8
70
11
1865.
$8
75
11
00
July
Lump..
$5
55
8
85
11
00
Broken.
5
65
9
15
11
00
Egg....
5
90
9
55
11
00
Stove.
6
05
8
70
10
50
Nut....
5
30
8
75
11
00
August...
.
Lump..
6
10
8
85
11
00
Broken.
6
20
9
15
11
00
Egg• • •
6
45
9
55
11
00
Stove..
6
60
8
70
10
50
Nut....
5
85
8
75
11
00
September
'
Lump..
7
10
8
85
11
00
Broken.
7
20
9
15
11
00
Egg .. •
7
45
9
55
11
00
Stove..
7
60
8
70
10
50
Nut....
6
85
8
75
11
00
October. .
Lump..
9
00
8
85
11
00
Broken.
9
10
9
15
11
00
Egg•..
9
35
9
55
11
00
Stove..
9
50
8
70
10
50
Nut...
8
75
5
95
8
November
Lump..
9
00
6
05
8
75
Broken.
9
10
6
30
8
75
Egg • ••
9
35
6
70
8
75
Stove..
9
50
5
70
8
25
Nut....
8
75
5
35
5
90
December
•
Lump..
9
00
5
45
6
00
Broken.
9
10
5
60
6
15
Egg • •-
9
35
5
75
6
35
Stove..
9
50
5
10
5
50
Nut
8
75
65, we began the retail of Coal in Elmira.
the effect.
The change in
35
Statement op Wholesale Prices, &c.—Continued.
DATE.
Size.
Wh'sale
Price.
Retail
Price.
DATE.
Size.
Wh'sale
Price.
Retail
Price.
1866.
1866.
January...
Lump .
$8 00
$8.55
July
Lump .
$5 70
$6 00
Broken.
8 10
8 65
Broken.
5 70
6 00
Egg...
8 60
9 15
Egg•. •
5 95
6 25
Stove .
8 75
9 35
Stove .
6 20
6 55
Nut,...
7 75
8 15
Nut,...
5 20
5 50
February...
Lump .
8 00
8 55
August.. .
Lump .
5 80
6 25
Broken.
8 10
8 65
Broken.
5 80
6 25
Egg • ••
8 60
9 15
Egg •..
6 05
6 50
Stove .
8 75
9 35
Stove .
6 30
6 80
Nut,...
7 75
8 15
Nut,...
5 30
5 75
March ....
Lump .
6 90
8 55
September.
Lump .
5 80
6 25
Broken.
7 00
8 65
•
Broken.
5 80
6 25
Egg ..•
7 50
9 15
Egg•. •
6 05
6 50
Stove .
7 75
9 35
Stove .
6 30
6 80
Nut,..,
6 50
8 15
Nut,...
5 30
5 75
April
Lump .
6 90
8 55
October...
Lump .
5 30
6 25
Broken.
7 00
8 65
Broken.
5 30
6 25
Egg...
7 50
9 15
Egg ...
6 05
6 50
Stove .
7 75
9 35
Stove .
6 30
6 80
Nut,...
6 50
8 15
Nut,...
4 80
5 75
May...
Lump .
5 35
5 90
November.
Lump .
5 30
5 65
Broken.
5 35
5 90
Broken.
5 30
5 65
Egg •.•
5 60
6 15
Egg...
6 05
6 15
Stove .
5 85
6 45
Stove .
6 30
6 40
Nut,...
4 85
5 40
Nut,.. .
4 80
5 15
June
Lump .
5 45
5 90
December.
Lump .
5 30
5 65
Broken.
5 45
5 90
Broken.
5 30
5 65
Egg...
5 70
6 25
Egg ...
6 05
6 15
Stove .
5 95
6 55
Stove .
6 30
6 40
Nut,...
4 95
5 50
Nut,...
4 80
5 15
1867.
January....
Lump .
Broken.
Eo-c .
• • •
Stove .
Nut,.. .
$5 30
5 30
6 05
6 30
4 80
$5 65
5 65
6 15
6 40
5 15
1867.
February..
Lump .
Broken.
Egg ...
Stove .
Nut,...
$5 30
5 30
6 05
6 30
4 80
$6 55
5 65
6 15
6 40
5 15
Chemung County, State of New York, ss:
C. N. Shipman, a resident of Elmira, Cliemung County, N. Y., says he
is bookkeeper for J. Langdon; that the foregoing statement is com¬
piled from J. Langdon & Co.'s books, with the exception of the retail
coal price from 1858 to June, 1865," which was taken from J. D. Bald¬
win's books, tvho was a retail coal merchant in Elmira, N. Y., from 1858
to June, 1865, and that the statement is true to the best of his knowl¬
edge and belief. C. N. SHIPMAN.
Sworn to before me, this 19th day of March, 1867.
N. P. Fassett, Notary Public in and for Chemung Co.
Monthly Prices of Coal, in Rochester, at Retail, by J. M. Phelon,
Agent, from January, 1858 to March 16th, 1867.
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
J an......
$6 25
$4 75
$5 25
$5 75
$5 75
$7 75
$9 75
$14 65
Eeb
6 25
4 75
5 25
5 75
5 75
7 75
10 65
14 65
Mar
6 25
4 75
5 25
5 75
5 75
7 75
10 65
16 65
April ....
6 25
4 75
5 25
5 75
5 75
7 75
10 65
10 65
May
6 25
4 75
5 25
5 75
5 75
7 50
10 65
June
6 25
4 75
5 25
5 75
5 25
7 50
10 65
July
5 75
4 75
4 75
5 75
5 50
8 25
12 65
Aug
5 75
4 75
4 25
5 75
6 00
8 25
14 65
Sept
4 75
4 75
4 25
5 75
6 25
8 25
14 65
Oct
4 75
4 75
4 75
5 75
6 25
8 75
14 65
Nov
4 75
4 75
4 75
5 75
7 50
9 75
14 15
Dec
4 75
5 25
5 75
5 75
7 50
9 75
14 65
1865.
Lump
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May.
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
$8 40
8 50
8 9
9 20
8 15
8 20
8 20
8 45
8 75
7 70
$7 80
6 9
8 05
8 25
7 30
8 30
8 30
8 55
8 85
7 80
$7 80
7 9 '
8 15
8 35
7 80
8 55
8 55
8 80
9 10
8 05
$8 05
8 15
8 75
8 60
7 50
8 75
8 75
9 00
9 30
8 25
$9 05
9 15
9 40
9 60
8 55
8 75
8 75
9 00
9 30
8 25
$11 05
U 15
11 40
11 60
10 80
8 25
8 25
9 00
9 30
7 75
$12 20
12 30
12 55
12 75
11 95
8 25
8 25
9 00
9 30
7 75
$12 40
12 50
12 75
12 95
12 15
8 25
8 25
9 '0
9 30
7 75
Urate
Stove
Nut
1866.
Lump
Urate
Egg
Stove
Nut
1867.
Lump
$11 65
11 75
12 00
12 2 >
11 15
8 2"
8 25
9 00
9 30
7 75
$11 65
11 75
12 00
12 2't
11 15
8 2
R 25
9 00
9 30
7 75
$10 55
10 63
10 90
11 20
9 90
8 25
8 25
9 00
$10 55
10 65
10 90
11 20
9 90
Urate
r.rrr
Stove
9 30
7 75
Nut
Monroe County, ss :
James M, Phelon, of the city of Rochester, being duly sworn, depos¬
es and says, that the foregoing statement is just and true, according to
the sales at this office. JAMES M. PHELON.
Rochester, March 16th, 1867.
Sworn to before me, )
March i 6, 1867. f
Jno. McConvill, Com. of Deeds.
Up to May, 1865, we Bold coal only at wholesale to Rochester. In May, 1865, at the
request of the citizens, we established a retail yard there, and the change ol prices be¬
tween April and May of that year shows the effect of our arrangement.
37
Anthracite Coal Office, \
Buffalo, N. Y., March 16th, 1867. )
J. Langdon, Esq., Albany. •
Dear Sir :—Your dispatch of the 15th instant came to
hand. I Have made up the list of prices of coal at retail,
on the yard. These prices are the average of all the sizes.
It would have made the list too long to have given each
size by itself, at each date. These are correct to a cent,
but only go back to May 1st, 1861, which is the time we
commenced here. I could not go bej'ond that myself.
You will notice, from February to May, 1865, the rate
is something over $15. At that time we were bringing
the coal by rail from Syracuse, and paying the New York
Central $5.80 per ton freight, and carting it from the cars.
And in many other cases in the high rates named, it was
to cover very higTi freights we were paying.
Respectfully, &c., '
GEO. DAKIN, Agent.
Retail Prices of Coal at Buffalo, N. Y.
May 1st, 1861, to Sept. 30th, 1861 $4 40
Oct. 1st, " June 9th, 1862 5 20
June 10th, 1862, Aug. 4th, " 5 23
Aug. 5th, " " 31st, " 5 60
Sept. 1st, Sept. 14th, " 5 93
" 15th, " " 24th, " 6 18
" 25th, " Oct. 10th, " 6 50
Oct. 11th, " " 31st, " 7 00
Nov. 1st, " May 1st, 1863. 7 75
May 1st, 1863, June 1st, " 6 65
June 1st, " July 1st, " 6 90
July 1st, " Aug. 1st, " 7 10
Aug. 1st, " Sept. 1st, " 7 20
Sept. 1st, " Oct. 11th, " 7 30
Oct. 12th, " " 30th, " 7 40
Nov. 1st, " Nov. 30th, " 8 30
Dec. 1st, " Feb. 11th, 1864 8 80
Feb. 12th, 1864, April 30th, " 9 10
May 1st, " May 26th, " 9 09
May 26th, " June 30th, " 9 35
July 1st, " July 12th, " 10 42
July 13th, " July 31st, " 11 35
Aug. 1st, " Oct. 31st, " 11 78
Nov.] 1st, " Nov. 30th, " 11 93
Dec. • 1st, " Jan> 31st, 1865 12 43
38
Feb. Ut, 1865, Feb 13 h, 1865 12 93
Feb. 14th, '• April 30th _
May let, " May „3. <( ; • • ;; ;; . » ^
Juno 1st, June 30th,
July 1st, *' July 24th, <( • • • • < 19
July 25th, " July 31st, <(
Aug. 1st, " Aug. 14th, 8 26
Aug. 15th, " Aug. 30th, • 8 76
Sept. 1st, " Sept. 14th, 9 29
Sept. 15th, " Sept. 24th, 9 76
Sept. 25th, " Oct. 1st, ....10 60
Oct. 2d, " Oct. 15th, " 12 27
Oct. 16th " Oct. 31st, " 12 50
Nov. 1st, " Dec. 31st, " 13 00
Jan. 1st. 1866, Mar. 11th, 1866 11 80
Mar. 12th " April 30th, " 10 75
May 1st, " May 31st, " 8 05
June 1st, " July 1st, " 8 20
July 2d, " July 31st, " 8 45
Aug. 1st, " Mar. 16th, " 8 55
STATE OF NEW YORK, > gg .
Erie County, City of Buffalo, J ' •
George Dakin, being duly sworn, deposes and says, that the prices of
coal in the above statement, are the true prices at which coal was re¬
tailed at the respective dates set opposite in the above statement.
GEO. DAKIN.
Sworn to before me, March 16, 186 J.
E. O. Yanbrocklin*, Notary Public
in and for the County of Erie.
Comparative Statement of Coal at Retail Prices for the months of
July, August and September, in 1865 and 1866, at New York City,
Elmira, Rochester and Baffalo.
MONTH.
New York.
Elmira.
Rochester.
Buffalo.
1865.
1866.
1865.
1866.
1865.
1866.
1865.
1866.
July
August
September . ..
$8 50
9 50
10 50
$8 50
8 50
8 50
$5 98
6 27
7 76
$6 06
6 11
6 31
$8 00
8 21
9 15
$8 61
8 81
8 81
$8 08
8 51
9 52
$8 45
8 55