The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-21
TIE COAL COMBINATION,
interview With w. b. Dauiel-Other In
teres,ipg ltemg.


teressiog ltems.
Many OF our citizens have taken the
occasion to thank THE ZINES, both pub.
iicly and privately, for the fight IL has
inaugurated against the coal combine
tion in this city. Words Of praise are
heard on every hand. The TIMES faele
oonhdent that IL is on the side of right
and justice In this matter, and Will CON
tinue the fight.
Reliable information has been re-.
~oeiyed from Bluefaeld that the dealaro
there deliver Pooahontss nut coal 70
customers at 50 IS per ton and run Of thed
mine coal at 50 65. III
This is difference of s1.s5 per toa
In the prices charged in Roanoke and
Bluef9ld. The distance between the
two oibies Ia los miles. II the Bluefieid
dealers make living profit out of their
trade 1.-THE Roanoke dealers evidently
make greater profit, as it is hardly
nasurSl to suppose thRs the railroad
company will haul coal from the mines
to Blpeheld at IS cents per ton, the dit
to Roanoke, and $l.65, or the exoeSs
charged In Roanoke over Bluehesd
prices.
Ofcourse the Roanoke Coal Dealerk
Asspciation ia not responsible for thu
high prices OF coal here, as they ard
caused by excessive freight ratest
charged by the Norfolk and Western,
hut why should such combination of
dealers exist If they have no purpose
be required to put up @ bonus of $3.50
more than those who are now in the
business? And, Furthermore, wny
should new man seeking Nom bership
In the association, after he has put up
his money, as required, have to receive
two-thirds vote of the association be-
lore ne oon become member? Stir
this matter little deeper and sec II
there isrt "a bug under tho chip?"
a Representative of TIE TIMES yester.
day interviewed w. B. Daniel, the feed
man, on the coal question, and learned
OF several very pertinent facts regarding
the methods OF the local combine, which
Will, doubtless, be read with much in
terest by THE TIMES rehders. From his
statements the people can judge as to
whether there is anything in the oombi-
nation business or not. The following
Is Mr.. Daniels statements:
"As much Is being said just at this
time concerning coal mbinstion in
this city, and the unjust freight rates on
coal, etc., from the coal fields to Ros.
noke, will add my mite of inform alton
to the rest and let the people OF this
city take 1t for what 1t is worth.
Some time ago concluded to 10 into
the retail coal business and applied to
Mr.. matson, of the Pocshontas Coal
Company, to know on what conditions
could get coal from them, and was In
formed that I would have to see W..
Andrews, who would furnish me with
the desired information, ut the same
slime advising me not to 40 into the
business, OF course 1 thought strange
that MIR. Mataon should 80 advice,
most especially when It Ia o we'll known
fact that 1t Ia his business to sell as
much PooahontAs coal "a possible.
II then went to see Mr.. Andrews, and
informed him that wanted to 60 into
the coal business, and was ready to
comply with the requirements of the
association, and would PIT up (as +
ture fee, when 1 WAS informed by him
that all old members OF the association
were required to put up that amount,
but that at recent meeting Of the Coal
Dealers Association they had concluded
to raise the forfeiE to $3.50 to shy new
members who might apply for member
ship, at the Same time stating that he
thought there were enough men al
ready In the coal business in Roanoke.
II thought differently, and after max.
Ing the statement as TO the injustice of
to put up as forfeit $3.50, and at the
same time requiring from the old menu
bers only 500, concluded to put up the
required amount, and so informed Mr..
Andrews of my intentions, when I was
further notified by him that my appli-
cation would have to go before She Coal
Dealers Association and passed by
two-thiSds vote of that body before
could be admitted to mbership and
receive any benefits which might be de-
rived by belonging to the combination
"Knowing that could not get any
coal at prices to compete with osher
dealers. and being aware Of the fact that
ct least portion of the old dealers be-
lieved there were already enough men
In the business, did not feel disposed
to allow my application to 60 before this
b1dy OF dealers, who had often ex-
pressed themselves as having plenty of
company along that line, many of whom
claimed that there was scarcely living
In the business, and who undoubtedly
took great interest In my financial well
fare, but at the same time 1t appeared
to me that they would be glad to shut
OF further competition in the business
The Following Testimonial Yves Written
by Mr. Farmer. Who lie Well Known
Throughout Virginia:
HoBBIE Music Co., Gentlemen:-I
have Known and tuned she Lindeman
Plano for many yesrR, and regard IL as
one Of the best first pianos made.
In fact, the Lindeman pianos are
strictly artistic instruments, therefore
appeal to all musicians who must ad-
mire the tone and touch, az we'll 40 the
elegantly finiahed caaea