The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-08-11

All of this talk about the coal COM
bine being split wide open through
the action of certain agents, is the
rankest kind of rot. AS a matter of
fact the agreements entered into be-
tween the coal companies on Friday
gave it a new lease of life. But what
do the people care about the combine,
whether it goes to pieces or not? The
answer is, Nothing" for it is cheaper
coal the consumer wants and nothing
more. The coal would be just as sat
isfactory if secured from the combine
as from an independent dealer. if the
prices were the same. The local deal
ers in the black fuel claim that they
are unable TO make any reductions
from the old schedule of prices as
long as the railroad companies make
the present charges for freights. Their
books bear them out in this asser-
tion. 1t is an actual fact that one of
the heaviest dealers in the city made
practically nothing during the whole
OF the last season, Notwithstanding
the fact that his trade was excellent.
The profits are not there and as a re-
suit the dealers cannot extract them.
1t therefore rests entirely with the
railroads whether or not the people
of this city and territory receive
cheaper coal. A reduction of a dol
lar ton could be made on the freight
charges for coal and then tle roads
would be making good money through
the traffic.
On the 18th the old schedule of
prices will be restored all around
and the people will again pay IS per
ton for their coal This cutting has
= g.
and then there is a capitalization, and
certain gentlemen claim to have done
the community a great good through
their action in demonstrating that
coal can be sold here for less than it
was formerly being laid down by the
regular dealers. These same people
make the statement, however, that
they found the business improbable
and they are therefore willing to meet
the coal exchange half way. The pub
lie is inclined to the belief that the
great good is all stuff. The consumers
cannot see the advantage gained, with
prices back to their old station.
Commencing yesterday morning the
regular dealers of this city resumed
the sale of all kinds of coal on the
local markets, including Weber,
Sweetwater and Diamond. This was
in accordance with the agreements en-
tered into on the day previous be-
tween the powers that be. If there
was any victory won i can be
claimed by the Weber Coal company
people, who have said little but
sawed wood since the commencement
Of the internal troubles. The mem
bers of the coal exchange were very
willing that Mr.. Montgomery should
Join their organization at the time of
its inception, but they did not want
any of the dealers to handle the
Weber coal OF course. the gentle
man declined very firmly, and went
right on as before. meeting adj cuts
and selling his coal. Now those in
control are not only willing that the
Weber company shall be represented
in the exchange. but also that its
product should be sold in the open
markets by the dealers. Thus il will
he seen that there was some sort of
victory in it for some one after all.
AS at present made up. the coal
consists of five members,
the two railroad companies, Weber
Coal company, Diamond Coal COM
pany and the Sweetwater company.
All of these companies coal viii be
sold upon the market at the old prices.
It is very likely, therefore, that the
consumers will go right on paying
high prices for their fuel until the /
railroads come down in their freight /
rates, when a reduction in the cost /
Of coal will take place.