New-York tribune., 1900-09-25
COAL HOARDED FOR A RISE.
THAT BIG OPERATORS
HAVE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY.

The two qualities OF coal known as pea and buck
wheat. which used for steam generating
purposes, jumped up 81 a ton yesterday, Pea coal
now costs the consumer 81 80 and buckwheat 81
Arising out of this advance threats Of lawsuits
against dealers are already being heard. For some
time large number Of dealers under stress of
competition have consented TO omit in contracts
which they have made with manufacturers and
large office buildings the clause which permits them
to break the agreement in case of strikes. But
despite the absence of this clause none of deal
would supply coal under their contracts except
at the increased price of 81 ton. The consumers
have no alternative except to submit go with
out coal, but many Of them declared yesterday that
they would appeal to the compel the coal
men to live up to their contracts and to refund
money paid beyond the amount called for in the
agreement The retailers yesterday professed to
stand in no fear of these actions Usage of the
trade" they asserted, would protect them.
PUBLIC DISCOURAGE BIG PRICES.
AS a standard price domestic coal remained un
changed yesterday Sc 75 for white ash and 81 25
for red ash These quotations have prevailed since
last Friday, and the reason that the dealers
following up the practice which they adhered to
during the previous ten days. Of making advances
every twenty-four hours, is that orders have not
been pouring in upon them with the rapidity that
they anticipated when coal famine" prospects were
hrst discussed. The public, they discovering.
VIII not pay extcrtionate prices that are not war
ranted by conditions. Believing that they being
imposed upon, householders are buying coal only in
small quantities and are not purchas sing an ounce
more than they tmperatively need.
An investigation OF the situation so far a. con-
Germs the available stocks points to the conclusion
that there IS such scarcity as is contended by
some OF the operators and dealers Ohicia figures
OF the storage capacity of the yards at Port Rich
mond' Philadelphia, South Amboy, South Plain
neld, Perth Amboy. Weehawken and Hampton
Junction, in New-Jersey, and Oneonta East Buff
falo. Schenectady County and Newburg in this
stae give total capacity Of more than 21SOOGO
tons of anthracite The normal consumption Of
anthracite In this city is bout twenty-five thou
sand tons day. that if the7yards were full at
the time the strike began there would be sufficient
luel stored TO supply this city for about three
months and that not only are these yards stocked
10 thelr fullest capacity, but that coal is also
stored along the lines Of the different anthracit
carrying railroads and in harges cannot be doubted
SIX MONTHS PREPARING FOR STRIKE
By several Of the large operators it has been ad-
mitted that for nearly six months previous to the
declaration of the strike they were aware of its
possibility, and that in consequence, they had
been working their mines to as great a limit as
possible. 1t is apparent therefore. that when the
miners ceased work the operators had an unusual
that tbev are waiting foT st a6 Is
result the dealers seeing their stocks gradually
diminishing without being able 10 replenish them
and presently they will be bidding against one an,
other for the coal that lying idle in the yards
Retail prices will then go upward with rush. and
be the heaviest sufferer of the strike Customers
who are subjected to the squeezing process by
operators and dealers indignant at being made
the victims of what they regard as a selfish policy
and the probability fs that at the end of the strike
many Of the coal men who have taken advantage
Of the situation to charge exorbitant prices win
find that they have lost the custom of their best
atrons.
SOFT COAL MEN REAP A HARVEST.
Bituminous coal men continue TO reap harvest
a result of the strike. The net advance in soft
coal since last Friday averages about 30 cents a
ton, and with matters they in the anthra-
cite region another rise be looked for The
soft coal men that should the strike cease
they will maintain present prices, as the demand
for their product is sufficiently large to enable
them get the rate asked Some of the dealers
begun to supply bituminous coal to their custom
ers, and unless the operators release of their
black smoke will be pouring in thick clouds from
many chimney in this city In view of this con-
tingency it would be interesting to know what at
titude the municipal authorities will take On this
, point President Murphy of the Health Board
yet non-commttal. In reply to inquiries yesterday
he said there law prohibiting the burning OF
bituminous soft coal in this city. provided il be
not made a nuisance In other words 1t may be
used If the person burning it prevents soft coal
ers- These, however, are costly, and he did not
think many firms would put them in for the brief
space of time of hard coal shortage. President
Murphy would not make a positive statement as to
his intention in case the Of soft coal be-
comes general It is probable that effort will
be made reduce the nuisance to a minimum
the citys industries that the Department is likely
to go slowly in the matter of prosecutions.
road. when his office in this city, declared
that he knew nothing about the report that com
! mittee Of the companys sWitchmen were on their
the hauling of "scab'' coal Mr.. Truesdale said
that not only had he heard nothing about the re-
port but he doubted the truth of 1t.