New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-16
NO CHANGE IN THE PRICE or COAL
LITTLE LIKELIHOOD THAT NETWORK
RETAIL DEALERS WILL MAKE
REELECTION

The retail price OF coal in this city seems likely
to remain unchanged. despite the fact that dealers
In Brooklyn reported recently TO have made a
reduction Of 25 cents ton. Several lead
ing local retailers. who were visited by a Tribune
reporter yesterday. said that they had neither
made nor contemplated making any reduction:
that they had heard OF no others who had reduced
their prices. and there was no good reason why
any should do so.
prominent officer Of the Retail Coal Exchange
who Is one OF the most extensive retail dealers In
this city. said. in summing up the situation:
Brooklyn dealers afford to sell their coal for
at least % less ton than those in
this city. because they can handle It much more
cheaply than ii can he handled here. In Brooklyn
the dealers plants cost less than they do here.
and there are more waterfront and better fac-
ties for handling the coal without extra carriage,
which is very expensive In New-York the Dock
Commissioners do not set aside enough docks and
piers for the accommodation OF local commerce
This affects not only the coal trade but all others
The downtown docks and piers in this city are
practically monopolized by the steamship and rail-
road companies. and. a result much business
is driven hence to Jersey City Take. for example.
the North River front from the Battery TO West
Eleventh-st.. distance OF about three miles. in
which there only three places where coal. building
material etc. may be landed These places are as
follows: The Canal-st. pier and the Clarkson-st.
ana bhTTOW-st DuKntadS. ms state or AFFAIRS
seriously increases the expenses of dealers in COAL
building material. etc. and all Of steam
and ought to be remedied.
so far as the retail price OF coal is concerned
there is not likely to be any reduction but, the
contrary. If any change should be made before
summer. II would probably be an advance. The
Retail Coal Exchange passed resolution last Sep
TENDER recommending that the price OF white ash
family coal should be advanced from s. TO s. 20 A
ton This recommendation was not adopted by the
dealers. who on October |. advanced the price TO
s. % a ton. which is the present price for the
ordinary grades. although some extra fine qualities
sold for s. 80 a In quoting prices tor coal
ii Is generally understood in the trade that the
quota lions given for white ash coal Red ash
coal is always higher in price than white ash
Ordinary grades OF red ash are now 10 20 ton.
while the better grades range from that price up
TO s. a ton the latter being the price for the
product OF the famous Franklin mine. the ashes
largely used for open-grate fires because requires
less draught than white ash coal. ana Its ashes
are hea vier and not easily scattered but for
stoves and ranges II Is less desirable. as IL IS
NOR easily clinkered. White ash coal IL the
most economical for general use except III open
crates .o.,. .,o-,,s ra
0"I-nless there should he severe snow storms re-
,au nrices for coal will remain unchanged. During
and FOR some time after the last heaNy $40"
storm coal was delivered to consumers Al d loSS
hui the dealers made Increase OF prices 3h2uIu
,hora he a series OF severe snow storms. ucdi'i :
ur,,1 he comneed to advance their prices. aS
,beir margin for profit Is so small tnat tney cou'u
~, otherwise afford 10 carry on business