Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-20


Contrary to general expectation there is not
such strinGency felt at the present time by
the wood and coal dealers Of the District as
nigh: well be felt in view Of the almost unpre-
cedented cold weather Of the last two weeks or
more. In the opinion Of some dealers there is
not such stringency now there was Just
previous TO the holidays. Should the present
warm spell be Immediately followed BY another
such period Of cold weather as that just passed
there would, however, in the opinion of dealers,
be quite famine in fuel.
The situation at present NAV be best de-
scribed as one in which the supply on hand is
about equal TO the demand. with the dealers
not over anxious for orders. As rule there
has been no increase in prices and unless there
is return Of another very severe and pro-
tracted cold spell there will hardly be a rise in
prices. While some of the smaller dealers are
experiencing some difficulty in supplying their
orders, the larger dealers are well stocked and
have no trouble getting what fuel they need
Indeed, not a few of the smaller dealers are be-
ing supplied by the more extensive ones.
MAY BE TROUBLE LATER on.
There is. however, another phase Of the ques-
ton which may cause some trouble later on.
and that is the difficulty which, it is said, the
miners are experiencing in getting out the coal
at the mines because of the snow which is said
to have got into the mines Because of this the
mines are said to be turning out very little coal,
and as railroad transportation Is proverbiaiiy
SLOW and uncertain, especially at this season of
the year, some Of the dealers fear that there
may be shortage in the supply some time be-
tween now and the return Of warm weather
which would of course send prices up. An ad-
vance In prices is not desired by the dealers as
most people imagine for the reason that an ad-
would il
to them. Neither is scarcity of coal desired
by the dealers, for that, too, would mean small
profits to them.
PROVISIONS GETTING HIGH.
There is one matter which is troubling the
housekeepers Of the District much more than
the fuel question, and that is the exceedingly
high prices provisions are bringing. For at
least month past prices have been steadily
advancing, until now some of the necessaries Of
life have, because of the high prices. become
really delicac:es. Eggs that were three months
ago within the means Of the laborer are now
delicacies on the table Of the rich. Fresh eggs
retail for from As to so cents a dozen and are
scarce at that. Cold storage or ice house eggs
bring IS cents a dozen and command ready
sale. Few retail dealers have any in stock and
buy from day to day to meet the demands of
their trade. In November the fresh eggs sold
at Is cents dozen and storage eggs at 20 cents.
Potatoes have not been over plentiful at any
time since last fall In November they brought
IS cents a bushel which was then considered
remarkably high. Now they have jumped to
Sl.l0
Butter Of the best creamery variety sells at
40 cents pound; last November it was 35.
Inferior butter now brings 80 cents. when the
consumer last November hesitated at purchas-
ing at 20 cents. Cheese has advanced in pro-
portion with butter. Good cheese now brings
from Is to 20 cents pound; two months ago
1t sold slowly at ~ to ID cents
Beans are about the only vegetable that has
held its own. During the winter they have
sold at 50. 10 a bushel. and their price is I'm
changed.
MEATS HAVE GONE Up.
Pork has jumped to the skies All fall and
winter it was high and in November it
brought II cents a pound. Now il goes readily
at 10 cents and in few days it will be higher
Beef has also jumped about l cent a pound.
VIII the prices continue togo up2 is question
OF the deeDest interest. The retailers them
selves are unable to say, though all agree that
each article will probably be more costly soon
unless the winter breaks. They say there is, as
vance in prices has mostly been due to the ex-
IRENE and protracted cold weather. OF game
and fish there Is neither lack of supply nor an
advance in prices. Indeed, IN some instances
prices are lower now than they were several
weeks ago. The supply of wild ducks has been
unusually large this season. Poultry is plenti-
full although the prices are at present some
what higher.