The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-07-12
The Local Dealers AssoCia-
tion Makes a High
Jump in Prices.
A STRONG COMBINATION.
Reorganization of the Retailers to
Prevent Any Sort of Con.
cession to Consumers.

nues last night and remodeled the organ
1zation by the adoption of a new constitu-
ton aud bylaws. They increased the
price of coal to consumers on domestic
sizes from S. to $3.50 per con. and the re-
tail price of pea coal (for domestic use)
was advanced from $3.50 to g. This does
not apply to factories
The prices, probably, have already gone
into effect, as resolution was adopted
setting forth that the advance in price
was to take effect as soon as circulars
could possibly be printed and circulated.
These figures apply to what the associ-
alton is pleased to call ''per net ton" or
1000 lbs. The figures placed upon "per
gross ton," or 2.24O lbs, are s6, with dis
count of twenty-five cents per ton to
those who purchase five or more tons in
laying in their winter supply.
These prices have no effect upon orders
already promised to be filed.
A dispute arose as to what figures
should be fixed upon as a rate to pur-
chasers who take their own coal from the
yards. The matter was left to the Exec
utive Committee.
THE NEW ORGANIZATION.
The new constitution sets forth as the
ooJect OF the association, the following:-
"1he establishments of mutual and help
ful business relations between its mem
bers; the protection of the public from
fraudulent dealers; the guarantee to Iegi-
innate dealers fair return for labor and
capital invested"
The association decided, under the new
law. to admit reporters to its monthly
sessions, whereas heretofore the meetings
have been of private character The
members say there is no reason Why the
public should not be fully cognizant Of
the associations affairs. They have been
forced, they say, by the advance
the price to consumers. But while
some say the average advance
in wholesale rates has been, since May /,
seventy-hVe cents, there are others who
declare the advance has been over 8 dol
lar. 1t is evident chat the purposes of the
organization are mainly for the ppotec-
ton of the members by combination.
Like every other business the coal busf-
ness has its tricks Of the trade" Honest
dealers have been Worsted in the past by
dishonest dealers, and the rules adopted
last night struck boldly at the crime of
one dealer selling an "eighteen-handred
pound" ton in order TO draw away tgade
from conscientious dealers. One dealer
was heard to openly remark after thead-
iournment of last nights meeting:-s"fhe
coal trade in this city has been absolutely
rotten"
AFRAID OF EACH oTRER.
This remark bears out the results
of aa investigation on the part
Of reporter for The NEWS concerning
the refusal of the dealers of this city,
whose organization has nothing what
ever to do with the New Jersey Coal Ex-
change,t to advance the retail price of coal,
Notwithstanding the increase in whole
ln ha hons l<NR
each other. One prominent dealer was
heard to remark after the meeting. "I
would have sold coal to my customers at
a dollar less than prevailing prices sooner
than lose them through the machina nations
of dishonest dealers" and 1t was appar-
emily this distrust of each other that led
to the Introduction of Max Sahnger's
celebrated coal ordinance, although on
the other hand there is just little doubt
as to whether the ordinance as passed,
emanated entirely from the coal dealers.
The recent advance in wholesale prices
has driven a number Of influential coal
dealers into the association, and the old
association, thus reinforced. decided to
remodel the constitutionsa9 and bind the
members with rock-ribbed ties to honest
and square dealing. The new rules,
working in conjunction with tue Salinger
ordinance, can only result in ,pxofit to the
consumer. provided the ordinance is en-
forced. The old officers age retained.
John Hedden, Jr., is still President, and
B. z. Post, Secretary.
PENALTIES
The members bound themselves, first,
TO pay $50 for a certificate OF membership.
The amount thus accumulated is to be
placed In the vaults of the New JERSEY
Title Guarantee and Trust Company For
the first and second violation of the rules.
members will be fined S25 each time, and
for the third ofense they will forfeit
membership.
There are about forty-four to ferty-six
coal dealers mot including the bucket
trade) in Hudson county, outside of Ho-
hoken, Kearny and Harrison. Hoboken
has strong association of its own. and it
was said last night by Jersey City dealers
that Hoboken dealers were only waiting
for the action of the Jersey City dealers
to advance the retail price that they might
fall in line. Kearny and Harrison deal
ers are considered as Newarkers- Bay
onne had q branch of the New Jersey
Coal Exchange. siU was,said but it was
seft of go-as-you-please organization.
Over thirty of the forty-four
dealers outside of the towns above mem
toned were present at last nights meet
lug of the County Dealers Association,
and several not present have already
signed the constitution. It is believed
that every dealer in the county. outside of
Hoboken, Harrison and Keafny will be
brought into the Association.
According to the new rules, the Bxecu-
tive Committee, which. by the way, has
been reduced from to members, has
been empowered to Investigate all offenses
and the members have pledged them
selves under a penalty when charged
with violation of rules, to expose ell con-
tracts, books of accounts, bills or papers
required for examination.
A committee, consisting of Messrs.
a ~
pointed to wait upon the Bayonue dealers
and ask them to ratify the prices. adopted
by the County Association last night.
"These prices may be obhterateG. by
October l." said q member. after the
meeting adjourned.
NV hat do you mean by Lhatan asked
The NEWS reporter. "Wil prices 60 up
or DOWN."
Every likely they will go mp. -
THE INSPECTION OF WEIGHTS. t&
The entire association appeared to be
laboring under misapprehension of
facts concerning the operations of the re-
cent amendment to the ordinance
providing for the appointments and gevern-
inent otan Inspector of Scales, Weights.
aud Measures. and wanted to appoint NJ.
A. Post, the present collector of the aSso-
citation, as inspector for the association at
a salary of $500. The matter was laid over
until the next meeting.
Michael j. O'Rourks is the general in
spector Of all weights and measures ap-
pofnted by the city and his salary is fixed
at 81, 900 The reason he has caused no