Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-17
COAL GETTING SHORT.
Effects Of the Reading strike ON the
WashingtOn Yards.
4 COAL FAMINE NAINRNr-wHAr THE pEALERs
SAY PRICES LOWER HERE THAN IN OTHER
cTrEs-THE vrsIBL EsUPPLY SMALL, ETC.

II
COAL FAMINE NMINRNr-wHAr THE DEALERS
SAY PRICES LOWER HERE THAN IN OTHER
cTTEs-THE vBrBL EsuPPLY SMALL, ETC
The continuance Of the Reading strike Is caus-
Ing the coal-consuming and coal-dealing popula-
ton to fear that a famine Is imminent and the
rumors OF short stocks and high prices that are
ginning 10 spread tend only to increase the feel
Ing OF insecurity that prevails. About two weeks
ago representatives OF The STAR called on leading
coal-deaers OF the city and obtained their views
on the situation. Some were confident Of abund-
ant supplies, while many predicted hard times.
The neid was canvassed again to-day.
Mr.. JOHN T. GIVEN
cast very black carbonoscope. He said. "My
predictions are being more than realized. and
the outlook is indeed a bad one. l have had
10 put my customers on short rations, cut
ting all Of my orders down Just as low as can.
creeping up and we have to go ahead with them,
while the buying public OF Washington is
growi harder Still before this strike is settled And
with the high prices comes poor coal Come out
here" leading the way into the yard in the rear
OF his once. "Look at that coal, frozen stiff ~
The coal In the bins, originally In small pieces,
mad frozen into CAKES and Jumps OF from 10 TO Is
pounds in weight I'D like TO bet" be continues,
stamping the snow from mis- shoes as they went
back, that II JOB was here to-day and kept a re-
tail coal-yard he would swear like trooper
that there has not been a car OF coal shipped to
this city since the holidays.
II. A. CLARK & SONS
are pretty well stocked, and there Is no pros
pect Of an immediate freeze. But their pre-
dictions are by no means cheerful. The senior
member OF the firm said that with the coal
now on hand IN the city there would be enough to
last for about three weeks by using the ODDS and
ends and by mixing qualities. The mine-pnces
are now at So.3o per ton for all grades, and the
dealers are generally selling at s625. There has
been movement, however, to advance the retail
price here. Mr.. Clark says that they are selling
their coal at about COST counting the freights ana
other expenses and 1t is labor OF love for which
they are receiving no credit.
perhaps the most confident dealers In town are
the Johnson Brothers, who are supplied by the
pennsylvania Road The shipments over this line
nave vastly increased since the strike, and Mr..
Johnson thinks that there Is no danger Of famine
even lI case OF longcOntinued strike at Reading.
Mr.. GEORGE BOGUS
said that he saw no immediate prospects OF
a coal fame. but the prices have advanced
on the dealers, and even II there is no FAM
Inc they VIII be higher. II the remainder OF
the miners join the strikers he thought the situa-
ton might become very serious. lie was not well
posted on the subject, but from what he had heard
ne thought the stock Of coal on hand In this city
was very light indeed, and too small to stand
through any severe weather.
Mr. ". n. NARROW
says the strike is a very serious matter to
the dealers here, a number OF whom have
outHeiy run OUT OF STOCK, and ne has only
enough to last thirty days He has not, how
ever Increased prices and will not until he gets
fresh supply. In "A few weeks, unless something
rs cone ne thinks tn market will be entirely bare
II 90 hot KNOW" said he ''whO Is in fault In this
matter, perhaps both miners and railroads are to
Diane, out something should be done TO give relief
Mr. JOSEPH M. wHEATLEY.
81 think that fifteen days hard weather would
cause q coal famine here. said Mr.. Joseph NJ
Nneatley. "Uhless the strike is settled shortly
there Will be much greater scarcity Of coal than
at present. Since the first OF this month not
single ton Of coal has arrived over the Baltimore
ana ONO Railroad There are number or deal
ers VINO would be able TO carry their own trade
tney would not be able TO take any outside trade
AL present there are no two dealers charging the
same price Tor coal. In the summer they tried TO
see VINO could sell the lowest, ami now they are
Trying 10 see who can get the highest price. Deal
erS are now receiving less than half the usual
shipments, ana the demand has increased propor-
tlonately. It's great blessing for both dealers
anu consumers that the winter has been such an
open one"
MR.. SAMUEL EMERY.
Mr. samuel Emery said that he did not know
much about the present condition of things but he
did not think there seemed TO be much prospect of
an early ending OF the strike He has but few
hun0res tons on hand and he did not think that
many dealers had great amount or coal On hand.
Inc prices are advancing, and unless something is
done he thought there would be a coal famine. A
cause suffering throughout the land. He did not,
however, anticipate any such thing, as he thought
some action would be taken TO bring the strike TO
an END. Although the prices ON coal are adyanc-
ing the washington merchants are selling at
lower figures than the Baltimore and Philadelphia