Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-30
Hard and Soft Coal Arriving
Here Daily.
DIMINISHED OUTPUT
BUT CONDITIONS EXPECTED TO
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
Fuel Situation in the Schools Regarded
as Quite Satisfactory-Pre-
vaiing Prices.

alarmed over the coal situation, nor to an
ticipate any serious suffering If conditions
do not become any more greatly agsra-
waited Both hard and soft coal is arriving
in the city daily, and though not In quantl-
ties sufficient to meet the demands, yet IN
such quantities as to warrant the belief that
unless very unfavorable conditions arise
there will be sufficient fuel on hand to avert
serious consequences.
The mid weather of the last few days is
regarded as most opporture at this season
OF the year. and while severe cold spell
would probably result in considerable hard
ship to many families. yet such weather
is not anticipated.
1t is conceded that the mines are not
operating to their full capacity at this time.
The miners have not as yet recovered from
their holiday vacation, and it is stated That
scarcely more than half Of them are at
work. This circumstance, OF course, neces-
states a diminished output OF the anthra-
cite product. but it is thought that within
a short time this condition will be changed
and the mines will again be In full blast
There seems TO be hopeful sentiment
among the dealers and also among the con-
servative citizens, that the apprehensions
which have been confronting the Washing
ton public for some time past will be re-
lieved. and that the people will be able to
supply their needs In the fuel line.
In other Clues.
One dealer stated to a reporter for The
Star today that in his opinion Washington
Is in no worse condition as to fuel supply
than are several other cities. and indeed.
that the local condition Is more favorable
than that in some cities. Advices from
Philadelphia today. he said were to the
effect that the Quaker city is experiencing
an unusual scarcity of anthracite coal. and
that soft coal is being used there almost
exclusively. Soft coal is selling there at
about $40 per ton, and is in great demand,
while Splint coal is retailing at $3.50 per
ton. He stated further that he thought
there was no occasion for the people of
Washington to become alarmed over the
situation.
seems to vary from $12 to SIG per ton, while
soft coal Is bringing from 81 to 81 per ton.
A member of the first citizens committee,
which was selected to confer with II
Reading company as to supplying Washing
ton with coal. said to a Star reporter today
that he felt satisfied the Reading company
Is living up to its agreement to the erect
that 1t would ship an average of fifty cars
of coal to Washington daily, while in full
operation. He stated further that he be-
lieved the Pennsylvania company is keeping
it's agreement to supply fifteen car loads of
coal to this city each day.
Under those conditions he said, wash
ington is receiving on an average at least
1000 tons of anthracite per day. And L
also believe the railroads are treating WASH
ing1tn fairly and are allowing the capital
city her fair proportion of coal.
I'm fact. L think We are receiving better
treatment at their hands than some other
cities.
Necessity for Economy.
II believe it is the duty of the people of
this community to economoZe in their use
Of hard coal. and also in their buying of
the product They should other fuel
when possible. and save the anthracite for
an emergency. such as extreme cold
weather. The consumers of Washington
should be thoughtful and considerate. not
only of their own interests. but also of the
welfare of others. When ordering coal
they should be satisfied with two
tons at time.
cit is we'll known that some people here
are taking advantage of personal opportuni-
ties and filling their cellars by orders
from different dealers, when their neighbors
IN the same block are unable to scarcely
supply daily needs. The supply in the city
should be thoroughly distributed. so that
the greatest number may benefit thereby.
at seems to me there is no occasion for
apprehension that there will be extraor-
binary suffering here. But the necessity of
economlzing the supply should be urged
upon the people. 1 feel sure that the peo-
pies needs will be supplied, and alarm over
the situation Is unnecessary.
LAS the output at the mines increases the
Reading Company intends that Washington
will have her share of the increase. and
the prospects seem brighter for such a
condition..
The Receipts Today.
number of dealers stated that they ar,
receiving coal at the railroad yards today
in lots of from five to twenty-five cars. At
least half of this amount was said to be
hard coal. Sixtyseven cars of coal were
received today at the Pennsylvania yards.
AT least half of this amount was an
thracite.
At the Baltimore and Ohio railroad yards
forty cars of coal were received today,
most OF which was anthracite. and forty
more cars ale expected to arrive here this
evening over that road. During the past
thirty six hours 100 cars Of hard coal and
thirty-six of soft coal have been I'M
loaded in the Baltimore and Ohio yards
and during the past seven days 1896 cars of
anthracite have been unloaded. This is an
average of over fifty cars day
The Philadelphia and Reading company
received a trainload of anthracite this
morning. In view of the mild weather. II
the people will economiZe II Is likely that
a coal famine will be averted, unless as
stated. some serious and unexpected con-
dition should arise before the supply to the
city Is increased.
The Schools Well Supplied.
The coal situation IN the schools of the
District is now In a very satisfactory con-
dition- With the fuel nowrin hand and
promised to the Commissioners. the author
tiles can run the schools until well into
February. BY that time other arrange
ments may have been made whereby the
continuance of the schools until the warm
weather sets in will be assured
The Commissioners have recently secured
smother 1000 tons Of soft coal and 1000
tons of coke which are used jointly in the
school furnaces in lieu Of anthracite The
soft coal and coke experiments have proven
eminently satisfactory. This fuel gives
the required amount OF heat and at the
same time gives forth a minimum amount
OF smoke.
The furnaces are fired first with a layer
Of coke, then a layer of soft coal and a
top covering of coke The fire requires
more attention than an anthracite one
would. because the heat is likely to become
too intense.
In addition to this soft coal and coke
supply the Commissioners are receiving
daily shipments Of anthracite coal from the
Reading company. Under Mr.. Macfar-
lands arrangement with President Baer the
schools are To have 1000 tons of coal. Five
hundred tons were delivered Immediately
upon the making of the agreement and be-
fore the strike ended.
About coo tons additional have been re-
ceived. This leaves about 800 tons still to
come. When the schools are open the daily
consumption Is between 40 and 24O tons q
day. according to the severity of the wealth
er There are 40 school buildings to be