The New York herald., 1863-12-03

The COAL QUESTION ONCE MORE.-Commu-
nications continue to pour upon US in reference
to this important subject, and various sugges-
tions are made to meet and to overcome the
grievances complained Of Some suggest econo-
my, some one thing and some another Every
one knows that the poor suffer more by the
inordinate prices for fuel than any other class
Of people, and suggestions q to economy come
with chilling effect upon them; for they have
nothing to economic upon. Two tons of coal
may, as one correspondent mentions, be made
to 60 as far as three tons, if proper economy In
its use be observed, by supplying the grate or
the stove with cinders as fast as the supply of
the fresh coal is exhausted. But the difficulty
tons. In cases like these the wealthy can very
properly come forward and apply remedy
in instances known To exist, and which will I'M
doubtedly be largely increased as the winter
progresses We mean that the rich and chari-
table should contribute sufficient amount of
funds, aided by the city authorities, to buy say
10000 or 10000 tons of coal, which shall be
distributed at cost or less price or gratui-
tously, as the case may require, TO the necessi-
tons. This will relieve one great class of suf-
ferers
In Wilkesbarre, one Of the great coal marts
Of Pennsylvania coal is sold for three dollars
per ton Of 2,240 lbs, delivered in boats or cars;
and it is a notorious fact that consumers in
Wilkesbarre, as well as in New York, are the
victims Of a monopoly, consisting Of coal ope-
rators and railroad corporations together. A
a correspondent writing from the coal regions
remarks:-"There is no earthly reason why coal
should be $40 so to sll per ton in New York"
There should be some means Of reaching these
coal operators and railroad corporations, either
by State or Congressional legislation. The in
terests Of coal consumers everywhere earnestly
demand some interference of the kind.
That we might have a greater supply of coal,
at cheaper rate, if the duty on the importa-
tion Of the foreign article were taken of alto
gether, is possibly true; but the amount i'm
ported is Insignificant in comparison with the
amount consumed The whole value of coal
imported in 1861 was 81 ,O64,672, the duties
reaching 1912 sos. But what should be done,
and that by law, in the earliest part Of the
approaching session Of Congress, is the opening
up OF the coasting coal trade to the provinces
of Nova Scotia, TO Cape Breton, New Bruins
wick and Prince Edward Island under all Of
which lie vast beds OF bituminous coal, some OF
the seams being over thirty feet in thickness
and Of the finest quality. We have the testi-
mony of excellent physicians that bituminous
coal is far more healthy for dwellings, and
especially bcdchambers than anthracite, and
the bringing to our own doors OF this vast
amount Of excellent fuel at cheap rate would
open, at the same moment, the eyes OF the con-
sumers and those of the managers Of coal
mining companies, who devote more attention
TO stockjobbing than either to the interests OF
the shareholders or the demands and necessi-
ties Of the community. Congress should act
! promptly in this matter, and afford every
facility to the bringing to the wharves of this
| city this superior coal, which abounds In the
neghboring British provinces. BY this means
the monopolizing coal dealers of Pennsylvania
and coaljobbers everywhere will be taught
lesson that will be Of service TO themselves
and of incalculable benefit TO coal consumers,