The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-25
SUPPLY OF COAL LIMITED
Stock of the Local Dealers Almost
Exhausted.
One Merchant Asserts That Ninety
Per Cent Has Been Sold Con-
trncted For-A Famine ProbnbIe-
Advance Over Prices OF Tyvo Weeks
Ago = No Shipments Received.

With the supply Of ccal in ;his city
meats now being received here, and with
the prospect of al indefinite duration CT the
labor troubles in Pennsylvania, a coal
famine in Washington is highly probable.
The stock OF coal on hand in the city is
variously estimated by different dealers.
One Of the dealers asserts that SO per cent
of the supply has already been sold or
has been ordered. Another, and ole of
the larger dealers, states that the present
supply would be sufficient for a months
consumption, taking as a standard the
ordinary sales for last month. September,
however, being a large buying month, and
the strike conditions urging larger buying
in anticipation of famine and an advance
in prices, it is not to be expected that
this estimate will apply. The prospects
of settlement of the labor troubles are
also viewed diversely by the different
dealers.
William j. Zeh, one of the largest deal
ers in this city, states that shippers are
encouraging the dealers to believe tha.
! the strike is only matter of a few days.
On the strength of these statements. in
which Mr.. Zeh places a great deal of
credence, he is recommending his custom
ers not to buy in large quantities in fear
of an advance. He is assuring all buyers
that plentiful supply of coal is likely to
be had within few weeks.
The secretary of the Washington Coal
Exchange, William II. Baum, considers
that the situation is very grave, and that
there is little probability of near set
tlement of the strike, and consequent
movement of coal from the mines. Deal
ers, he. states. are endeayoring to dis
suade purchases of six and eight tons and
larger orders. The lack of present supply
and the impossibility CT getting coal into
the city during the continuance of the
strike presents, says Mr.. Baum, serious
condition of affairs.
The Washington Ccal Exchange is ap-
parently working haTmoniously. and the
present prices are the result CT their
agreement. Notwithstanding the fact that
the prices of the shippers have been ad-
vanced on three occasions. making
total advance of 75 cents on the ton, and
despite the fact that not a single car is
being received in the city, the local deal
ers have advanced prices in the last two
weeks, since the Inauguration of the
strike. but so cents on the ton. The price
CT coal now is s5.75 per ton against $6.25
q fortnight ago. No immediate advance
above this price, it is stated, is antici-
pated. An order for ten tons of white ash
coal was accepted yesterday for future de-
livery By a local dealer at the summer
rate.
Many hcuseholders of the city in antici-
patton OF great advances in prices and the
possibility OF famine. are offering orders
for large quantities for winter consump-
tion. This buying is discouraged by the
dealers, and in many cases the regular
price of $6.75 for immediate delivery is
reduced to $6.25 to induce the purchase
for future delivery.
This is the season of the year when
householders make provision Tor their
winter stock of fuel and it has teen the
custom of the dealers to load the coal
direct from the freight yards upon their
wagons and deliver direct to customers.
This has been rendered impossible by the
existing conditions. when no fuel is ar
irving in the city. The coal ordered from
the shippers for this demand has not been
received, and the dealers are limited TO
the supply remaining from the summer
stock on hand, and such additions as could
be made. before the strike was declared.