The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-03-16

gust, when coal was cheap, for GER
tain price, and as the local coal rates
advanced, they have evidently adj
vanced their prices with them, while
they are buying under the price made
in August. We do not know that Mr..
Martin made contract in August, but
it is generally admitted that VanDus-
en- & Co. did, and therefore, even if
they were compelled to buy from the
trust, they shou d sell within rs cents
as cheap as Mr.. Martin, with as great,
if not greater profit.
We note the gentleman's request
not to ''run down" local sellers. We
agree with him. Far is it from our
purpose to underestimate any local
sellers. On the contrary, we prefer
raising them to the sky. Our purpose
is to build up; not to tear down. But
weak indeed would we be did we not
dare to censure concern that could
or would not sell an article of the same
quality as cheap as concern or indi-
vidual in town ten times smaller, in
population, 16 miles away. Our groc-
ers, dry goods, clothing and other
merchants, are underselling the mer-
chants in the smaller towns, as they
naturally can, by reason of larger
purchases. And so can VanDusen &
Co., if they will only be content with
a fair profit. Our voice is but the voice
of the people, when we demand that
only fair profit shall be obtained in
this commodity.
DEFENDS THE GAZETTE.
Since writing the above the follow
ing communication has been received.
1t is from the pen of Walter D. Mar
tin, who has recently retired from the
coal business, and who knows whereof
he speaks:
To THE EDIToR:-I have been read
ing the articles in your paper regard
ing the coal controversy and was in
hopes that there had been enough
said so that all parties concerned
would feel satisfied and drop the sub
iect. I will, however, say a few words.
and your many readers may Judge for
themselves as to whether they are
robbed" or not, as Baron" Caswell
uses the phrase. All successful deal
ers in coal, especially soft coal, get a
contract from the coal company fixing
prices for a stipulated time. as a rule
from Aug. l to Jan. and from Jan. l
to Aug. l. Now, it is needless for me
to say that Messrs. Caswell and Ferris
have these contracts, for coal agents
were around last fall making them
prices and very anxious to do so.
"Barons" Caswen and Ferrisawould
have their customers believe that coal
to them has advanced enormously
since last fall; consequently they, Fer
ris and Caswell, are compelled to put
up prices accordingly.
This is absolutely false in every par
ticular. Hooking Valley coal has adj
vanced 10 cents per ton since Sept. l
according to contract which hold
from coal company. To-day we pay
''Baron" Caswell, or at any rate, I did,
just few days ago, about $2.25 per
ton more than last fall. l paid Mr..
Caswell 81 for what was supposed to
be half ton of Hooking Valley coal,
and it was COMPOSED largely of the
sweepings of the bin. Now, if that
was Hooking Valley coal, costing me
$8 per ton, I will say that there is a
considerable profit to Mr.. Caswell.
Please note what this coal costs at
Duluth or Superior, so that you may
Judge for yourselves as to whether
you consumers are ''robbed' or not.
According to contract that l have,
this coal costs on board cars at the
above places $3. 10 per ton and freight
TO this point is $2.75 per ton making
the cost of coal on board cars here
1886. The difference between 1856
and $8, the amount paid, leaves for
delivering and profit $2.15. As an il
[ustration let us take an example, to
show whether there is any money in
coal. Let us allow 40 cents
per ton as expense for delivering. It
still leaves $1.75 per ton clear profit
Or just about 30 per cent on a car.
Now remember coal is cash or payable
n 30 days. At the end of 80 days
his money is invested in coal again
and so on. It does not take much of
! MATHEMATICIAN to see there is some
profit in the business. I am not in
,lined to give away prices and would
not were it not that Barons Caswell
and Ferris are so persistent in claim