The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-25
THE PRICE OF COAL.
THERE MAY BE AN ADVANCE IN
THE RETAIL PRICE SOON
Hut II VIII Probably Not Exceed -
Cents. While the Wholesale Pries Il
Not Expected to Advance at All

The price-of coal for the winter months
can scarcely be foretold. but some fore
cast OF the condition of the market
NAV interest the buyer OF
this necessary article OF house
hold economy. The condition Of the
coal market during September has been
sluggish. owing to the tight state Of the
market during the summer. The output
for the month has been about 5000. 900
tons and during the ensuing month
as much as 1900. 900 tons will be re-
ceived. During this month Wholesale
prices have been raised twice, making the
wholesale price OF coal forty-five cents
more, while the retail price has
been raised but twenty-five cents
The retail dealers, therefore, to
maintain the same ratio, must
increase this price aud this seems to be
the tendency, though nothing is certain.
Agents from New York have been talk
ing Of advance, bus nothing definite will
be known until the meeting OF the coal
dealers. which comes the 27th or 2Sth Of
this month. ss-
A slight Advance Probable.
The different coal dealers did not have
much to say on the subject. Mr.. Pom
roy of the Pomroy Coal company thought
there would be no advance at wholesale
as the price had already been advanced
twice and that IL would bs pretty
hard work to force q third raise as
the retail dealers were behind In price
now. Much depended on the weather.
II the winter was cold and there were
accidents on the Sound, the cost of freight
would have to come out OF the retail
price. However. no one cculd tell def
nitely.
Mr.. John r. White tn sht coal at re-
tail would probably advance IS cents
though no more. uuless some unusual
trouble occurred, such as = strike of the
miners. etc. 1t might, however, remain
stationary.
AT the Providenc. Coal Co. there was
talk OF n raise Of 25 elts n ton by October
l and OF so cents before tho winter was
over. This raise would come on account
of the present bearish condition OF the
market. Tue mines were working but
four davs week and buyers were hold
ing Off in hopes of lower prices. But
with the advanced output and greater de-
mand. coal must go up.
At r. f. Smith & Co.'s. Mr.. Smith was
at Chicago, and no definite Information
could be obtained, though it was thought
a raise in prics was probable.
Mr.. Little of Il. B. Little & Co. was
away, and nothing definite could be got
ten there.
At Joseph Olney g. Sons, Mr.. Olney
thought there wo I'D be a raise OF 25 cents
by the middle OF October and a still fur
tber raise OF 50 cents later. At the last
meeting there was considerable talk of
raising the price but prices were left sta
tionary. but the FEELING is too strong for
the price to remain stationary during the
next month.
Wholesale Prices Remain Unchanged.
From the above opinions it would see IN
that coal al retail will soon be raised but
Wholesale prices can hardly 20 up. or
course il there Is plenty OF snow and ice.c 'sl
will command better prizes and the mar
ket will be still higher should there be
any dedication Of coal famine. A pre-
ent, however, the outlook is fav, rable I, r
only slight rise In price.