New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-16
COAL NOT YET ADVANCED.
WHOLESALERS HOLD BACK THE SUPPLY
PREDICTIONS THAT THE SURPLUS
WILL OUTLAST THE STRIKE.

becomes an actual fact there will be a systematic
advance Of retail prices 1t has been tentatively de-
cded that white ash coal, which is sold for
81 ton will be raised to 81 30, and red ash, for
which 81 so and "a 70 the prevailing prices will be
raised IS. Thus the consumer. who is always
the greatest sufferer in the long through strikes
and to whom the coDtending sides pay consid-
Grafton will be the first to feel the effects Of the
strike, which has every appearance of becoming
general throughout the mining districts tomorrow.
The dealers who comprised in the membership
of the Coal Traders Protective Association have
not yet called a meeting to consider the situa-
ton, but II may be taken for granted that the
moment large retailing concern raises the
price others Will follow. Despite the assertions Of
the railroads and of the mine owners that there
large stocks hand and sufficient to supply
public needs for time to come, the retailers
of this city have only sufficient coal at their COM
mand to last three weeks a month. Storage
facilities here are so restricted that dealers can
not carry at the most more than months supply,
and II is agreed by them that however great a sur
plus the railroads and operators may have not one
pound of 1t will be released to the retailers
long there is a prospect of the strike contin-
uing for protracted period. During the last
week the dealers have poured orders into the
offices of the wholesalers but although these orders
We're booked it was with the qualification that all
contracts must he looked upon void II the threat
ened strike became an actuality.
PROTECTED BY CONTRACTS
The wholesalers at liberty legally to accept
orders with this proviso because in all contracts
there is a clause which states that in of
strike the contracts in question shall become inef-
fective. Moreover. the railroad companies, which
really control the supply, have hesitated
make II clear that they need all their present
stocks for their use that their trains must
run, whatever happens Consequently the outlook
for the consumer is gloomy, and, although there is
a tendency IN some quarters to console the house.
holder by the promise that the smoke ordinances
will be allowed for the time being to fall in abey
anCe. the price of bituminous coal should there be
n call for it for domestic purposes will inevitably
rise considerably above its present market price.
Representative operators who were seen yester-
day in their offices in the Central Building did not
hesitate to express their belief that many miners
would obey the instructions of the United Mine
Workers organization TO quit work Monday.
The only difference of opinion expressed was as
10 the number Of men who would go out. While
opinions in this respect varied. the operators
unanimous in the belief that the strike will
be shortved and that the workers for want OF
funds will be compelled to return to work within
a month. The mine owners say that there need be
no apprehension Of coal famine, because there is
enough coal at the pit heads last least
months. and before the expiration of that period
they maintain their men Will be at work again
1t IS known that the operators have been pre-
pairing for tho contingency which is facing
them. Some $4,000 tons of coal We're taken Of
the mines in August. and the averages Ioutput is
between 100000 and 100000 tons the output for
August was in excess Of a million tons more than
the average monthly yield. In addition TO this is
the output FOR the TWO weeks of the present month
the strength OF these sures he operators cons cons
teha mat the talk OF an impending coal famine is
raise prices The operators yesterday asserted that
they would adhere to their determination to combat
the demands OF the men They stated that il would
cost 100000 year to raise tho ruGr'S wages 10
coal trade they might wen 20 out OF business as
TO agree 10 the increases asked.
ELEPHANT REPLIES To MITCHELL
Robert NJ. Olyphant. president of the Delaware
and Hudson Canal Company replied yesterday to
tho open letter issued by John Mitchell president
Of the United Mine Workers lie reiterated the
statement he made public Wednesday that Mr.
Mitchell had declared the strike within three
traitors asking that the differences between the
men and employers be submitted to arbitration.
-il. ~ pLaHt expressed MS iInpatlence at what
ne called the CARRIED reports in some papers
would appear from reading these reports. he said.
Ihal most or the company mines had shut down,
matte Of fact, Mr.; olyPhant declared that the
than any time for several weeks
THINKS THE MEN HAVE NO COMPLAINT
An official Of the company who had just
turned from the mines in consultation with
President Olyphant at the time the latter
Commenting upon the situation this official said:
The men have made no complaint whatever There
have been two committees Of labor unions
known what they came for. as they aid not address
tihemseIIyes to any OF the companies, ,Rfgarding
work yesterday in eight Of the col
Neres Two others were closed. one because OF
strike among the drivers, who mostly boys
and easily influenced. and the other coiery- was
closed for repairs to the machinery. | think l
say that onc-half of the miners opposed to
strike but many opposed will out because
Of class sympathy. l nave heard many say that
they did want to quit. About one-third OF the
Delaware and Hudson miners foreigners,
large proportion Poles. steady going men. many OF
them owning their homes and opposed to
lawlessness. I venture to say that but very
small number will be found the side OF disorder.
Vice-Presdent Henderson of the Reading Com
pany is quoted as saving that his latest advices
Indicate a general working of all the company's
mines to-day.
Unless there is a general or sympathetic strike
do apprehend serious trouble, said Mr.
Henderson
1t is nevertheless believed that the Reading men
AZ Sbamokin may be affected The Pennsylvania
Coal Company also has few men at the same
place. but the proportion OF Reading miners there
is very small
PRICE RAISED % CENTS IN BROOKLYN.
RETAIL AND WHOLESALE DEALERS HOLD
SECRET MEETING.
There was a secret meeting of wholesale and re-
tail coal dealers last evening In the Clarendon
Hotel, Brooklyn. About sixty were present, rep
resenting 10 per cent OF the dealers In Brooklyn.