The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-20

production and heaviest sales OF coal OF
any year since the mines II Washington
were opened The increased demand los
been due to variety OF causes, and with
all the extraordinary effort that has been
put forth the production of the mines
has been insufficient. Lattery not more
than one-half Of the coal asked for has
been supplied.
Under these conditions II il considered
somewhat strange that pricas have not
advanced. About July 1. as reported in
the Post-rntelligencer. slight change
was made to the advantage of the deal
ers: the price was not advanced. but
local consumers were put upon short
ton basis. and since then have paid
the same price for 1900 pounds as they
formerly paid for 2.2io pounds.
For railroad and steamship use and for
export the long ton continues 20 be
served; but while the figures are not OBJ
tainable II is understood that prices esre-
cfally to irregular customers. have been
regulated by the available supply OF the
moment and the pressure of the demand
Thus II Is that certain steamships, due To
sail on fixed dates. have paid advanced
prices both for fuel for the voyage and
coal for delivery at port of Destination.
1t has not been tntimated that tn. coal
dealers have sought to take any adven-
tage OF such pressing needs. but II IL said
that the higher prices have been v ,lun-
teered In many cases and the dealers
have been spurred to special effort to iii
the orders, Even at the advanced prices
II is said that the dealers have been I'm
able to fully satisfy the demands.
Cause. of tho Shortage.
The first cause of the great demaNi
upon the coal mines OF the state Is the
increased Sailroad business. Thus far,
since the first OF the year. every line
operating In Washington has been using
Its fun equipment. During the spring
and summer there has not been an idle
locomotive .on any OF the railroads and
the rolling stock has been continuously
increased. The commerce of the Puget
sound ports and the immense harvesfs
Of the state have given employment to
all the equipment that the railway COM
panies could muster into the service.
~ This has greatE Increase, inc the demands
have the first call upon the output OF
certain of the mines and have shortened
the supply ordinarily available to meet
other demands. The railroad demand so
far has given no sign OF abatement and
Is not likely to. At least. until after all
the crops have been moved.
Another source OF increased demand Is
In San Francisco Scores Of vessels that
In previous years have brought coal TO
the Golden Gate from Australia. have
been diverted TO supply the enormous de-
mand along the Asia;ic coast for naval
and transport use, There Is n marked
shortage In the San Francisco supply
ana every Ton that can be sent from
Puget sound is Immediately marketable
at high prices.
The same condition prevails in the Ha-
waiian Islands, which are entirely de-
pendent upon Puget sound and Australia
for their coal The Australian supply Is
practically suspended and coal cargoes
from the Sound TO Honolulu are very In
frequent.
The government transpor, service has
also drawn heavily upon the coal mines
~ Washington. These vessels on Whose
prompt dispatch so much depends must
BE- cealcd With 81 possible expedition.
F6e government has sought IA every in
stance 90 purchase American coal hut
the sreat excess 81 demand over supply
has neccsstaied the cuaitng OF 4 nu-nbsr
q government vessels A. British Calurn-
bia ports
Needs of the North.
Bu; the most inportan; and most press.
ink demand Just Al present comes fro-p
the steamships IN the Alaskan trade ss
cation has drawn near. the necessity Tor
a supply ~ winter fuel Al Nome Al
michael Port Clarencn and ether points
aloss that coast has become mpre and
raore urgent on their second voyages n
the North every vessel in the trade
sought % purchase coat for delivery IN
more pressing, and now that many n
the steamers are about 10 start ft4,u
what viii probably he their last yos age
% tho season an sorts 81 Arguments ana
Inducements nre being made ~ rws,s-s
and eharierers % vessels 20 secure car
Attf NAN RtANAWh MAFt on A*8 has made
demands for A. I sisp sos A., su i, by i,s
Ter cargof' fof delivery ls rroldam
coal doalers seems Rlmos, fmpo4ihls "a
solution The second and third VOYAGE
vessels were Ahle 90 Ss-uYa IA -et,, $50
~ what they asked toy. although 10 snrue
cases cxtraHagant prices were o~eraA
How 20 sur-ly the fourth voyage shlps
with more ihan enouEh for tlslr own ~
or the round "trip Is tha hard n.t n h.rh
so Tar has not beer cracked
The Local Demand.
The locaA demand far coal has bs.,
very heavy throughout the year ire
constantly Increasing business ~ local
manufactures and the large number 81
new manufacturing Industries established
gives BIG market here Al hons, 10 the
product 81 Washington mines. WIN ,he
approach of cooler weather the demand
Tor Rouse ActG purposes Is growing
stronger. Prudent hogsehalders arr seak-
Ing 10 put away supplies Tor the winter
In the face OF these heavy demands
the course OF the mine owners and deal
ara has already hseu Clearly InAtrafaA