214 FIRESIDE SCIENCE. 



informed by one of the largest producers that he 

 was entirely satisfied when he could realize twenty- 

 five cents profit on each ton delivered. A vast 

 monopoly has virtual control of our anthracite coal- 

 beds, and what the future may develop it is im- 

 possible to foretell. A comparatively few very 

 wealthy men in our large cities are the owners of 

 the mountains and valleys where lie hidden the 

 precious deposits of coal, and upon them depend in 

 a measure the development of our great national 

 industries. At present it is not for the interests 

 of owners to attempt to combine or monopolize, but 

 how long this may continue is a question of no 

 little national importance. The supply is vast in 

 amount, practically inexhaustible, and this fact 

 affords reasonable assurance that centuries may 

 elapse before any measures may be taken to force 

 prices to a point where they will be restrictive, or 

 very oppressive. The high prices of coal which 

 have ruled during the past two or three years are 

 caused by occurrences independent of ownership 

 of the coal lands. 



