New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-21


nent. even should the market recede to the point
at which it was before the strike. On these
conditions there is not the least doubt that all
the hands employed by the Reading company
will return to work. a contingency that can
not fait+to nave material ana rar-spreadIns IN
fluence upon the future course of the strikers
NO FURTHER ADVANCE.
No further advance in the price of white ash
or red ash coal was made yesterday. For to-
day the price OF the first named grade will
remain at Sc - to families and the red ash at
81 %. Replying to the inquiries of a Tribune
reporter yesterday some of the large retail deal
ers admitted that these prices were not really
warranted by the actual state of the market,
but that the cost to the consumer had been put
up with such rapidity from a desire TO nurse
the supplies on hand. Since the beginning of
the week the coal carrying companies have not
been receiving orders for future deliveries, and
on their part the retailers are endeavOring as
far as possible to husband the coal they have
in storage To that end has been due the high
figures at which prices now range rather than
any actual prevailing scarcity. Retailers are
now adopting a policy of filling a fifth Of the
orders pouring in upon them-that is, if a Gus
toner asks for twenty tons, just fifth Of that
amount is sent to him. The retailers agree that
!
ordering from time to time only much coal
as they really need. the stocks now in sight
will last for two or three months.
But that some dealers are becoming embar-
rassed was made plain yesterday when one i'm
portant firm paid So ton for anthracite, free
on board" at Port Reading for which under
the same conditions they paid So 30 a month
ago. Dozens of dealers in this city are in the
predicament of seeing their stocks diminishing
wifi me q TpD them
The intimation which was published by The
Tribune yesterday that the buckwheat and pea
grades of coal which are consumed by what is
known as the "steam trade" might advance in
price aroused the utmost anxiety yesterday
among the manufacturers, hotel keepers, owners
of the large office buildings and other places
where these grades are used. The daily supply
to these buildings averages from ten TO twenty
five tons and the delivery is made under con-
tract at specified price. The threat is being
made by those who hold such contracts with
coal companies that If any attempt is made TO
add to the price which they now pay under their
contracts they will appeal TO the courts to force
the companies to adhere to their agreements
LIKELY To BE TESTED.
Grove D. Curtis of the firm of Curtis &
Blaisdeu one Of the largest retailing firms in
the country, informed a Tribune reporter yester-
day that % per cent of the firms who made con-
tracts with large consumers were protected by
a clause invariably insisted upon that all agree
ments should be void in case OF a strike. The
ably be upheld by the courts in pleading
''usages of the trade" That was point. how
ever Mr. Curtis said, which would undoubtedly
be tested as an outcome of the strike. Many
of the dealers who. under stress of competition,
consented TO omit the strike clause from the
contracts are greatly worried as to their position
and have sought legal advice. All the railroad
companies are in the happy condition of being
able to declare all contracts null and void The
PENNSYLVANIA company has already forwarded
circulars to it's patrons informing them that all
contracts will be discontinued under the strike
clause Other railroads Will undoubtedly follow
suit, If they have not already done so. within
the next few days. Hardly a ton OF coal is
being released by the railroads. and the stores
which they now have, it is declared. will be held
for future contingencies.
Violations of the soft coal ordinance are likely
TO become general in this city by next week.
Dealers who were seen yesterday did not hesi-
tate to admit that bituminous coal was being
ordered and was being delivered to owners OF
factories and other business places.
J. Samuel Smoot. chairman OF the Board OF
Trustees OF the Retail Dealers Exchange. said
yesterday:
"It is nee true that held meeting last
Saturday. reported. The only foundation for
the report Is that some dealers met here and
discussed prices. We are TO hold meeting to-
morrow night but no attempt Will be made 70
regulate prices or fix rates.